The Kylie Sundress costume was designed by Michael Wilkinson and manufactured in the Ceremonies Costume Workshop. It features a halter neck sun dress in the same pink hibiscus print fabric used in Dan Potra's design for the Hero Girl costume in the Deep Sea Dreaming section of the Opening Ceremony. The dress was accessorised with a sunhat (not held by the Powerhouse), white framed sunglasses (with case) and white thongs.

The costume featured in the Icons segment of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony. It was worn by Kylie Minogue, who was carried into the stadium on a giant thong held by the Sydney Swans football team.

The closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games took place on Sunday 1 October at Stadium Australia, Homebush Bay. It included solemn formalities, an informal parade of athletes and a farewell party that took the form of an unregimented parade with floats that celebrated and often mocked aspects of Australian popular culture. The intention was to conduct the ceremony with decorum until the extinction of the Olympic flame, and then to unleash a party. The artistic director of the closing ceremony David Atkins explained 'The athletes have finished competition, and are ready to party, and we have set about creating a party to end all parties. We have decided to invite everyone into our giant Australian backyard - fully equipped with Hills Hoists, barbecues, an eclectic mix of music, performers and all manner of Australiana. Australians have a tradition of throwing great parties, and this one will be imbued with a sense of fun, larrikinism and goodwill.' According to Ric Birch (speaking on Channel 7's 'Olympic Sunrise'), the opening ceremony was to represent Australia at large, but the closing ceremony was Sydney's show.

After Vanessa Amorosi's performance of 'Absolutely Everybody', the arena was transformed into a huge dance- floor as 960 ballroom dancing couples in fluorescent costumes danced the samba, tango and jive to the beat of John Paul Young singing 'Love is in the Air'. Although there was no direct reference to the film 'Strictly Ballroom', the link was implied. The dancers were accompanied by 208 giant dancing feet and the incongruous assembly of oversized kewpie dolls while in mid-field the athletes formed a huge conga line.

As the ceremony unfolded the proliferation of suburban images such as Hills Hoists, blowflies, lifesavers and thongs was treated with self-deprecating irony rather than clichÂ?. The wit and quality of the 'Parade of Icons' showed the influence of the late Peter Tully artistic director of the Mardi Gras. For example, the 'pit chicks' in silver hot pants who carried large eyelash props, the stiletto shoe bikes and giant mascara for the Priscilla bus.

The opening ceremony told a mythic story of nation-building that dwarfed individuals. It was evocative and subtle. The closing ceremony, however, celebrated personality, celebrity and attitude. Loud and brash, more like a rock concert than a profoundly theatrical event, it was an extravagant send-off -- fun, festive, shamelessly excessive and, for an international audience, decidedly weird. The fabric design of the 'Kylie Sundress' is the same as the fabric design used on the Hero Girl in the Opening Ceremony. Conceptually this is the Hero Girl grown up.

Michael Wilkinson studied architecture at University of Sydney before completing the NIDA design course in 1993. Since graduating, Michael has worked as a designer right across the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

His film credits include costume designer for the feature films Party Monster, American Splendor, Large's Ark, In Gods Hands, Just Another Story, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Looking For Alibrandi, When Strangers Appear and True Love and Chaos. He was also design assistant on the feature films The Matrix, Far From Heaven and Moulin Rouge.

His theatre work includes award-winning costume designs for the Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia, the Australian Dance Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre, the Bell Shakespeare Company, Steel City (at Radio City Hall) and the Ensemble Theatre

Michael also works as a stylist, with clients including Danny Glover, Kirstie Ally, Elle McPherson and Kylie Minogue.

In 1999 Wilkinson was awarded the Mike Walsh Fellowship and used this to further his international career in the USA and Europe. As of 2002 he is based in New York.

The fabric design of the 'Kylie Sundress' is the same as the fabric design used on the Hero Girl in the Opening Ceremony. Conceptually this is the Hero Girl grown up.

Worn by Kylie Minogue.
Made for and owned by the Olympic Coordination Authority/Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after use in the Games. Presented to the Powerhouse Museum by the Olympic Coordination Authority, on behalf of the NSW Government

Performance costume, 'Kylie Sundress', fabric / rubber / plastic, designed by Michael Wilkinson, made by the Ceremonies Costume Workshop, used in Closing Ceremony of Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000

Performance costume consiting of a dress, pair of thongs and sunglasses.

The dress is hibiscus print made up of seven panels of fabric. The fabric is hot pink with white hibiscus flowers edged in black printed across its surface. The dress features a halter neck, tapered waist and a flared skirt. There is a zip in the back of the dress and the halter neck fastens with a metal press-stud an hooks and eyes that are hand sewn into the fabric. The bust and neckline are lined with cotton fabric. The dress has a wide hem that is machine stitched. There are 2 polyester loops attached to the inside of dress. Brown stains evident inside costume. Engraved on press-stud: "N P N P".

Pair of white rubber thongs, Chinese dragon pattern and triangles along sides of strap, undulates on outer edge between large toe and second toe, ridged underneath, four holes and top circular plug on underside of base where strap is affixed to base. Molded in relief on appearing 5 times on underside: "COF". The underside has oval pattern with line going through the centre. Labels have been removed from base of thong and brown marks provide evidence of wear.

Sunglasses, 'Cat's Eye' style, plastic. The glasses have a cream coloured frame outlined with black around the inside and outside edge. The frame has been scratched and marked in places. The cream plastic arms are attached to the frame by metal hinges that are slightly rusted. There is a small silver diamond shape on each corner of the frame near the hinges and on each arm of the frame. The lenses are tinted green and have been scratched in places. Engraved on the inside right arm "Polaroid". The plastic nose pieces on the frame are discoloured, yellowed.

Case for sunglasses, soft brown leather. The case has been made using one piece of leather that has been stitched together down one side and along the base. Imprinted onto the front of the case is a large "R" and over this "Revival". Written on the back of the case, along the base "Made in Italy". The case is lined with synthetic soft black material.

Designed: Wilkinson, Michael; ; 2000

Made: Ceremonies Costume Workshop; Redfern, New South Wales; 2000


Used: Minogue, Kylie; Sydney; 2000

Owned: Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games;

See part records for individual part records for details

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2000