Bloomin’ Fabulous Runway Series – Part 1

We recently hosted our second instalment of Bloomin’ Fabulous at the Bicentennial Conservatory in Adelaide Botanic Garden. If you missed out on this exploration at the intersection of queer fashion and all things botanical, you’re in luck. We’re revisiting the runway with each instalment including three different makers with their respective artist statement.

Matt Parsons

Roses, tuxedos as wearable art
With assistance from Bev Walsh

My husband Russell and I are modelling mirrored wearable art pieces inspired by the Shakespearean quote from Romeo and Juliet “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” and the marriage equality slogan “Love is Love”.

These use classic tuxedo shapes and colour blocks, adorned with roses emerging from the point of our clasped hands. Historically, roses represent beauty and love in Western art and culture, often gifted to express affection. The roses only fill half the body to demonstrate that each piece has its independence, but when they come together and connect they bring out the best in each other.

My choice of symbolism and two actual husbands as models seeks to express that love (straight, cisgender, or queer) is the most beautiful aspect of the human experience, and always worth celebrating.

Enrico Ebarita

Strawberry, top, trousers, hat, ruff

I was born in Philippines and in 2022 moved to Adelaide to be with my fiancé Trevor.

I like strawberry when I was in Philippines. I love to have with ice cream or avocado. Strawberry is best to eat at supper time to make your body so good and calm.

I had sewing class with deaf in Philippine school for the Deaf 1995-2007, graduation over 20 years ago. And now I sew again with LGBTIQ community group at 57 Hyde Street. A lot different now. Hard without interpreter, but I gain some experience, and I love it. Will continue doing this.

Edward Jones

Kangaroo Paw, skirt & accessories

“As I peep above the tall grass
I see my friends
Swaying in the breeze

That’s what we do
Us Kangaroo Paws
It’s now the way we are

Ancient legends proclaim
Glimpsing a different time
A time of freedom and excitement

We walked on our paws
Our fleetness was legend
Until the devastation

Some say it was wind,
Or ice and snow
Even fire was mentioned

Our world turned upside down
Now our paws just wave
Where they used to walk

So, when you see us waving
Remember us roaming the desert
But today, anchored, still talking to each other.”