Fashion arouses and fascinates, acting as a vehicle to communicate social, cultural, political, or personal meaning.

In the lead up to the 2023 Oscars and following the release of her new book, Red Carpet Oscars, author Dijanna Mulhearn presents an illustrated history of how fashion on the red carpet has been used to unify and to protest, set a social tone, showcase social injustice or herald a new generation. Which savvy stars used fashion to position themselves as A-Listers? Which are the gowns that seared themselves into the public imagination?

Speaker

Dijanna Mulhearn is a Sydney-based author with over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry, including coordinating fashion week shows, managing public relations for Prada and Harper’s BAZAAR, and consulting for top-tier luxury brands such as Ralph Lauren and global giant LVMH. She has a Masters Degree in Communication Design from RMIT University and uses her extensive knowledge to explore and decipher subliminal messaging through attire.

Red Carpet Oscars

In Red Carpet Oscars, author Dijanna Mulhearn offers a curated study of who wore what at the entertainment industry’s night of nights throughout its 94 year history, outlining the subliminal power of fashion as a potent language. The book showcases three pieces from the NGV Collection worn to the Oscars by designers Paolo Sebastian, Lizzy Gardiner and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Presented as part of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Fashion Culture Program.