This costume titled 'Frida Exotica' was designed by Australian fashion and textile designer Jenny Kee and manufactured in the Ceremonies Costume Workshop. Kee describes the design as 'a homage to the remarkable Mexican artist - Frida Kahlo' Kee 2002

The costume features an appliquÂ?d poncho in hand dyed wool fabric from Bolivia and an exaggerated headdress. The poncho has enlarged motifs applied to it derived from the 'Americas' textile print. A print designed by Kee for the event. The costume featured on the Americas float in the Arrivals segment of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and was worn by Sally Houston.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games was comprised of three major sections: the mandatory formalities and protocol sections, the cultural display and the entrance of the athletes. Within the cultural display, there were eight segments titled: Welcome, Deep Sea Dreaming, Awakening, Fire, Nature, Tin Symphony, Arrivals and Eternity.

This costume was used in the Arrivals segment of the Opening Ceremony. This segment aimed to produce a theatrical representation of Australia's multiculturalism. The programme for the Olympic Opening Ceremony states: The history of Australia is the history of migration. We have come from all corners of the planet to form a vibrant, culturally rich and constantly evolving society. In this segment, a new group of arrivals form the Olympic symbol that unites the five continents of the world. They disperse, leaving behind their children - our hope for the future. More children appear until two thousand gather to form the pattern of the night sky, containing the distinctive Southern Cross constellation.
The programme for the Olympic Opening Ceremony states: The Arrivals segment saw five floats each representing a continent enter the arena. Each float carried performers in costumes inspired by the continent. The colours of the Olympic rings set the costume colours; black for the African nations, yellow for the Asian nations, red for the Americas, green for Europe and blue for Oceania, which includes Australia. The history of Australia is the history of migration. We have come from all corners of the planet to form a vibrant, culturally rich and constantly evolving society.
Fashion and film designers rather than theatrical designers were chosen to provide a contemporary, cutting edge, high fashion look to the costumes. The designers were Jenny Kee - Africa and Americas, Lisa Ho - Asia, Norma Moriceau - Europe and Peter Morrissey - Oceania.

Performers were selected from schools, community groups and from cultural and ethnic support groups. Approximately 500 performers danced around and on each of the five floats in the costumes created by the designers.

Fashion and film designers rather than theatrical designers were chosen to provide a contemporary, cutting edge, high fashion look to the costumes. The designers were Jenny Kee - Africa and Americas, Lisa Ho - Asia, Norma Moriceau - Europe and Peter Morrissey - Oceania.

Performers were selected from schools, community groups and from cultural and ethnic support groups. Approximately 500 performers danced around and on each of the five floats in the costumes created by the designers.

Jenny Kee (born Sydney 1947) is one of Australia's most significant and creative clothing and textile designers. Kee is best known for designing and retailing a unique range of colourful clothing and knitwear. Her work is characterised by the graphic and dynamic nature of her design style as well as her ability interpret cultural icons in a highly original way.
In the developing the designs for the Americas section Kee collaborated with Creative Consultant Jan Thornley, Costume Artist Paula Martin and team. They applied a rigorous research and design development process to realise the costumes for the Americas float. The diverse cultures and colourful history of the American continent provided inspiration for the costume designs. According to Kee the designs draw "thematic common links between North, South and Central Americas through nature, flora and fauna, art and craft - ancient and modern - symbols and icons. Showing interconnectedness of vibrant cultures - beyond borders. My work is dedicated with respect to the first peoples and present day diverse cultures which have evolved since the discovery of the New World." Kee 2002 Kee's inspiration was taken from a diverse range of iconic elements from the Americas. These include: Mexico Rose - the work of Lichtenstein - Warhol's 'Marilyn' - Bear Crossing - Salsa - Rio - Reggae - Jazz - Miles Davis - Maize - the Amazonian rainforest - toucans - the macaw - the rich rainbow colours of the ancient Mayan world - Route 66 - the maple leaf - the eagle - Navajo - Hopi - Kwakiutl - rock'n'roll - the Ohio Mound and Liberty.
Showing interconnectedness of vibrant cultures - beyond borders. My work is dedicated with respect to the first peoples and present day diverse cultures which have evolved since the discovery of the New World." Kee 2002 With red as a palette base for the costumes, a colour symbolic to Kee of 'life and energy', Kee developed the 'Americas' textile design by creating a collage of nine of her paintings "I began with a series of paintings to express these thoughts and collaged them into the 'Americas' textile print. Every part of this design is an image of the Americas." Kee 2002 This method is typical of her design style and results in a vibrant and spontaneous explosion of colour and meaning. "From my paintings the costumes came - to express the heart and soul of the Americas" Kee 2002. Kee's inspiration was taken from a diverse range of iconic elements from the Americas. These include:
The print is used in a wide variety of ways in her designs for the Americas float. The border fabric of Frida Exotica poncho features the 'Americas' print and the variety of motifs appliquÂ?d on the surface of eth poncho are derived from Americas print.

In the words of Kee, Frida Exotica is "a homage to the remarkable Mexican artist - Frida Kahlo. Exaggerated traditional Goddess of Meso America poncho and skirt with appliquÂ?d symbolic references using original Bolivian wools. Pom pom feature derived from robe of ancient priest. Elaborate headdress is inspired by typical floral head adornment"
"I began with a series of paintings to express these thoughts and collaged them into the 'Americas' textile print. Every part of this design is an image of the Americas." Kee 2002 This method is typical of her design style and results in a vibrant and spontaneous explosion of colour and meaning.
Maker name Rosie Boylan, Paula Martin and Greg Somerville, Ceremonies Workshop

The print is used in a wide variety of ways in her designs for the Americas float. The border fabric of Frida Exotica poncho features the 'Americas' print and the variety of motifs appliquéd on the surface of eth poncho are derived from Americas print.

In the words of Kee, Frida Exotica is "a homage to the remarkable Mexican artist - Frida Kahlo. Exaggerated traditional Goddess of Meso America poncho and skirt with appliquéd symbolic references using original Bolivian wools. Pom pom feature derived from robe of ancient priest. Elaborate headdress is inspired by typical floral head adornment"

During the creation of the costumes Kee, Creative Consultant Jan Thornley and Costume Artist Paula Martin attended a series of fittings and developmental sessions at the Ceremonies Workshop. A calico 'toile' of the garment was fitted onto a model to establish the correct proportion before the garment was cut out of the materials intended for the costume. The garment was then constructed using theatrical costume making techniques and the skills of a costume artist.

The poncho is exquisitely appliquéd by Paula Martin and Greg Somerville with enlarged motifs from the 'Americas' print in wool felt. Bolivian braids are applied to the surface of the poncho and the poncho is bordered and lined with fabric featuring the 'Americas' print. Down the centre front of the poncho are hand made oversized pom-poms. The pom-poms were constructed by volunteers in the Ceremonies workshop.

The underskirt is made form in red cotton with a border of orange Bolivian woven wool sewn around the hem. A wavy line of red and blue woven wool fabric has been appliquéd to the surface of the orange border. The woven wool fabrics from Bolivia are hand dyed and from the same supplier Kee commissioned fabrics from during her Flamingo Park era. Flamingo Park was a boutique and fashion label established by Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson in1972.

The headdress is constructed by Rosie Boylan over a wire base covered partially in fabric featuring the 'Americas' print. The headdress has handmade felt flowers and purchased fruit, flowers and vegetables covering it. A small women's felt hat from Bolivia sits atop the construction.

The costume was worn by Sally Houston in Stadium Australia, Sydney Olympic Park for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The costume was presented to the Powerhouse Museum by the Olympic Coordination Authority, on behalf of the New South Wales Government 2000.

Performance costume, titled 'Frida Exotica', wool / tulle / felt / wool / leather, designed by Jenny Kee, made by Rosie Boylan, Paula Martin and Greg Somerville, Ceremonies Workshop, used in Opening Ceremony of Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Australia, 2000

'Frida Exotica' performance costume used in the Opening Ceremony of Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The costume consists of a long red cotton skirt with attached black cotton petticoat. The petticoat features black tulle and two hoops sewn around the base. A wide panel or frill of orange wool fabric hemmed with pink wool fabric is also sewn around the base of skirt. An undulating or wavy line of red wool fabric, bordered by blue felt, has been appliqued to the surface of the orange panel. The costume also includes a wool poncho appliqued with various Mexican-style felt images and woollen pompoms, a tall floral headdress built on a wire frame, and a pair of black leather buckle shoes.

Designed: Kee, Jenny; Australia

Made: Boylan, Rosie; Australia; 2000

Made: Martin, Paula; Australia; 2000

Made: Somerville, Greg; Australia; 2000


Used: 2000

see parts

2001/84/199