Australian fashion designer Linda Jackson AO will bring an exclusive exhibition to Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery next year to showcase her most recent work.
The creator, who has spent much of her career travelling Australia to gain inspiration for her designs, will make her way back to Bundaberg in 2024 after a lengthy stay in the region recently for International Women’s Day.
Linda was the host of a fashion parade paired with a high tea at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, discussing her history in fashion and her plans for the future.
“It was a great day and to be involved for International Women’s Day was something really special,” she said.
“I had a few frocks available to dress people in and we had some beautiful models to come out as I talked about the design and printing process.
“Some of those pieces were from the early 1980s and featured some of the very first hand printing that I did.
“Then I was able to discuss how the process had changed to digital printing.”
Australia shapes Linda’s designs
Linda is well-known for her bold and colourful designs and began shaping her brand in the early 1970s.
Through her collaboration with fellow designer, Jenny Kee, she put Australian fashion on the international stage.
Together they created designs that celebrated Australia, and their Flamingo Park fashion parades became famous for their energetic amalgamation of art, fashion and music.
“I had an art fashion concept with Jenny, and I created some really beautiful things inspired by nature from what I had photographed within the landscape,” Linda said.
“That was an incredible connection that Jenny and I had, she’d be my muse; my model in the landscape.”
Linda and Jenny’s designs attracted worldwide attention, and they were worn by celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, David Bowie, Sophia Loren, Lauren Bacall, and Joni Mitchell.
Since then, Linda developed her own label, Bush Couture, and travelled and lived in remote parts of Australia, working with Indigenous artists and designers.
A lover of the Bundaberg Region, Linda said she was excited to come back again next year to continue more of her work.
“I have always had a bit of a connection to Bundaberg.
“I lived in Port Douglas and would often drive via Bundaberg to go to New South Wales or Bendigo,” she said.
“When I travel I really miss the beach so I just love going to Bargara when I am here.
“Everyone I meet is so lovely.
“I love regional communities.”
Bundaberg Regional Art Galleries Director Rebecca McDuff said having Linda exhibit in 2024 was a major announcement.
“Linda is very, very well known in the fashion world and has exhibited at the National Gallery of Australia and National Gallery of Victoria,” she said.
“I think what’s really interesting is that her national exhibitions have been about looking back on her career while her 2024 exhibition in Bundaberg will be focusing on an all new body of work.
“We will be getting something very exclusive and it’s really exciting.”