This costume titled 'Chinese Girl' features a flesh coloured leotard with a one sided cheongsam style extended sleeve and neck detail. A gold lurex jersey skirt with a purple belt and exaggerated wig decorated with peonies complete the costume.

The costume was designed by Australian fashion designer Lisa Ho and manufactured in the Ceremonies Costume Workshop. The costume featured on the Asia float in the Arrivals segment of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and was worn by Hailey Yang of the Chinese Performing Arts group.

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 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 costumes for each float were designed by prominent Australian fashion and film designers 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.

Lisa Ho graduated from East Sydney Technical College in Dress Design. She initially sold her garments at Paddington Markets in Sydney. Subsequently she launched a signature label LISA HO and has opened five signature boutiques in Australia. The label is stocked by major department stores and boutiques throughout Australia, America, England and Asia.

In developing the designs for the Asian section Ho looked to the rich diversity of clothing forms and the many visual and cultural icons from the countries that make up Asia. These included: the Goddess Shiva, traditional Chinese Dynastic court dress, Asiatic flowers, Thai temple architecture, Japanese tattooing, Arabic coin jewellery, 19th century Palestinian headdresses and Indian tapestry.

More contemporary inspiration was found in the work of Canada's Cirque Du Soleil and current fashion trends such as '70's glamour'. The costumes were also infused with Ho's own decorative and eclectic style, which typically incorporates intricate evening details into daywear. In a press release, Ho gave her rationale as: "Demystifying precious things to make them there to enjoy for anyone anytime. To have fun with them" .

Ho chose to incorporate four 'beast' costumes onto the Asia float: a bull, a donkey, and elephant and a dragon. Each beast was chosen for its significance in relation to the culture, lifestyle and/or religion of a particular region of Asia.

The nine female costumes on the float were designed to be worn standing on pedestals of up to 50cm in height. The skirts on these costumes are lengthened in order to drape around the base of the pedestal, thus creating an exaggerated, elongated proportion.

Inspiration for the Chinese girl costume was taken from traditional Chinese dress details and from Chinese advertising posters of the 1930's and 40's. The Chinese girl carries a plum blossom twig in her right hand.

Maker name Ceremonies Costume Department

Worn by Hailey Yang of the Chinese Performing Arts group.

Presented to the Powerhouse Museum by the Olympic Coordination Authority, on behalf of the NSW Government

Performance costume, ' Chinese Girl', fabric, designed by Lisa Ho, used in Opening Ceremony of Olympic Games, Sydney, 2000

Consists of a wig made from synthetic hair and pinned to create a beehive hairstyle. The rest of the wig has been tied into a ponytail that hangs down the back of the head. The wig has been decorated with fake flowers and imitation pearls. Also included in the costume is a bodysuit made from sheer flesh coloured nylon lycra. Four fabric frog clasps have been sewn to the front of the bodysuit. The frog clasps attach the bodysuit and to an extra long flared sleeve and « bodice. The sleeve and « bodice are made from beige silk jacquard and feature a traditional Chinese design in orange brown and gold coloured thread. The costume also includes a gold lurex jersey skirt lined with yellow satin. The skirt is extra long, flares towards the base and has a purple polyester belt around the waist. A fake twig/branch of cherry blossom completes the costume.

Made: 2000

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2000