Janelle and David Miles. Credit: Zan Wimberley
The Powerhouse Museum recently announced the acquisition of the archive of the 1980’s Australian fashion house Studibaker Hawk.
Consisting of 22 garments, fashion illustrations, silkscreens, fashion photography, catalogues, look books, media scrapbooks and posters, the archive will complement the four Studibaker Hawk dresses already in the Powerhouse collection.
Studibaker Hawk. Image: Ryan Hernandez
Founded in 1982 by Janelle Miles, David Miles and Wendy Arnold, Studibaker Hawk’s signature dress became one of the 1980’s most sought after party frocks.
Inspired by 1940’s and 1950’s fashion, the label’s distinctive dresses combined original textile prints with extravagant sculptural silhouettes. Miles also cites London’s punk scene, which she experienced firsthand in London in the late 1970’s, as a design influence.
Studibaker Hawk. Image: Ryan Hernandez
Production of the dresses involved metres of screen-printed fabric, which were cut into layered flounces with padded and wired hems, then decorated with diamantes and feathers. The production was labour intensive, the fabric cut by hand on long tables and heat set in tumble dryers.
“[I’m] so appreciative that the Powerhouse has recognised its importance to the Australian Fashion Industry and has seen fit to take it into the permanent collection to be preserved and cherished in posterity,” said Miles.
Studibaker Hawk. Image: Ryan Hernandez
Powerhouse chief executive Lisa Havilah said the Powerhouse is “thrilled to accept this iconic collection from Studibaker Hawk,” stating that the garments “demonstrate the designers’ exceptional skill and creativity and capture a unique moment in Australia’s history”
“The Powerhouse collection is made richer through this important acquisition and we look forward to sharing this collection with our communities and audiences into the future.”
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