A sunny Spring day was
perfect to visit Rippon Lea, its glorious garden and the exhibition of costumes
worn by the cast of the hugely successful ABC TV series based on the books by Melbourne
writer Kerry Greenwood. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries gives Friday
night television some glamour at last.
Taking us back to an era of
Art Deco elegance and style, the grand house has been used very effectively, through
generous access to various rooms, to display the work of costume designer
Marion Boyce.
The first room to explore
off the impressive foyer is the spacious drawing room where some gorgeous evening wear is arranged. The outfits come alive with movement
via a large wall screen showing snippets of scenes from episodes featuring some
of the costumes in the room.
However, so much more detail can be appreciated standing in front of
each piece. It is easy to admire the fabrics,
colours, layering and beading up close, as well as the bags and jewellery. The focus is not just on the female characters either; there
are outfits worn by some of the male cast too.
In the dining room, a large table is set with lovely china
plates on top of which are a selection of delicious hats that Phryne (Essie
Davis) wears to complement her outfits.
There are feathers, captivating shapes and stylish ornamentation - the
hats in the series are a treat.
Upstairs, you find a
bedroom display, a bathroom setting and an interesting dressing room which
is set up as a behind-the-scenes production
workroom full of the vintage fabrics, trims, sketches, notes and ideas that
underpin the costume designer's vision.
Other events planned to
co-incide with the exhibition have included a Tea Dance in September and, this
month, a 1920s Charm School session;
as well as an Afternoon Tea and Author Talk with Kerry Greenwood on
Sunday 13 October.
This is a clever exhibition
and programme which showcases a beautiful National Trust property, the art and craft
of the costume designer, the quality work of Every Cloud Productions and the popularity
and success of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne
Fisher mystery series of books.
***
"The National Trust proudly presents the Miss
Fisher's Murder Mysteries Costume Exhibition at Rippon Lea featuring the
sumptuous costumes worn by the Hon. Phryne Fisher and her cohorts.
Rippon Lea, home of Aunt Prudence in the hit TV
series, will come alive with costumes and props from both the first series and
the highly anticipated second series of the ABC TV's Miss Fisher's Murder
Mysteries."
Exhibition:
7 September - 27 October
(from the publicity flyer -
for more information www.ripponleaestate.com.au)
Have you read the 20th Phryne Fisher Mystery? Murder and Mendelssohn was released earlier this month.from: www.ripponleaestate.com.au |
Carol @ Hawthorn.
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