Happenstance and Di$count Universe Love!

Last week I was in South Australia and went to see the Colours of Impressionism Exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia. It was an impressive collection of paintings and greatly appealed to my interest in how we see things. I love how the impressionists invite us to see things differently.

It was, however, a chance sighting on my way to find the cafe to meet up with the enchanting Dr Ruth Bridgestock, that stole my heart. Dr Ruth would call this "happenstance". Good things happening on the way to something else...

Cami James, Australia, born Adelaide 1986, Nadia Napreychikov, Australia, born Moscow 1987, Di$count Univer$e, Jacket, Bodysuit and boots from Sin is
In 2016 Runway Collection, 2016, Melbourne, satin, synthetic, leather, metal, plastic; Gift of an anonymous donor through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2016, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide 

It was a narrative jacket, sequinned and beaded by the label Di$count Universe from Sin is in, 2016 Runway collection. Bold and slightly "punk', it borrowed the "designer as activist" approach to using direct words to portray a message. Subversive (language warning and all) and seriously well executed. A fine example of how fashion and politics clash!

Cami James, Australia, born Adelaide 1986, Nadia Napreychikov, Australia, born Moscow 1987, Di$count Univer$e, Jacket, Bodysuit and boots from Sin is
In 2016 Runway Collection, 2016, Melbourne, satin, synthetic, leather, metal, plastic; Gift of an anonymous donor through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2016, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide 

It is this richness that designers bring to material culture that serves to locate fashion in a particular time and place, and how super that it is placed in a gallery where fashion and art can meet, and viewed in equal terms. Brilliant!

Many thanks for valuing this and donating "Anonymous Donor".