This unique fashion photograph was taken by Benini shortly after the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983. The model stands in a charred Australian landscape wearing an animal print coat by Le Louvre of Melbourne with knee high boots.
Le Louvre was a fashion house established by Lillian Wightman (see portrait of Wightman in Benini archive) and later owned by her daughter Georgina Weir. Opened in [1922] at Howey Place, Melbourne, it moved during the late 1920s to 74 Collins Street, Melbourne, where it remains today.
Le Louvre is renowned for its chiffon 'party' dresses. Le Louvre also stocked international labels including Chanel and Chloe.
The 'Le Louvre Building' is listed on the Register of the National Estate. Le Louvre is renowned for its chiffon 'party' dresses. Le Louvre also stocked international labels including Chanel and Chloe.
Company website: http://www.lelouvre.com.au/

Anne-Marie Van de Ven, Curator with Alysha Buss, Curatorial Intern, 2009

Le Louvre was established by Lillian Wightman (see portrait of Wightman in Benini archive) and later owned by her daughter Georgina Weir. Opened in [1922] at Howey Place, Melbourne, it moved during the late 1920s to 74 Collins Street, Melbourne, where it remains today. The 'Le Louvre Building' is listed on the Register of the National Estate. Le Louvre is renowned for its chiffon 'party' dresses. Le Louvre also stocked international labels including Chanel and Chloe. Company website: http://www.lelouvre.com.au

The Bruno Benini photography archive was acquired by the Powerhouse Museum with assistance from the Australian Government through the National Cultural Heritage Account.

Photographic print, fashion, black and white, mounted on card, model Liz Scarborough wearing Le Louvre coat, photograph by Bruno Benini, Victoria, Australia, 1983
On reverse, upper right, written in black ink, '1983 / AFTER THE BUSHFIRES DANDENONGS ASH WED / LE LOUVRE COAT / MODEL LIZ SCARBOROUGH', upper centre stamped BRUNO BENINI/ PHOTOGRAPHER / 6 McKILLOP ST. / MELBOURNE TEL 672633', upper left, written in pencil '11' in circle.

Photographer: Benini, Bruno; Melbourne, Victoria; 1983

2009/43/1-2/32

1983