From Marilyn Monroe’s fringed black dress in Some Like It Hot to Elton John’s Louis XIV–inspired birthday suit (complete with the powdered wig and train), the diva has always known how to turn getting dressed into an art form.
Enter Diva, the debut exhibition at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts (AMPA). This is a glittering celebration of the artists who’ve shaped pop culture, music and fashion through imagination, talent – and, of course, by being a total diva. Charting the 19th-century opera goddesses and silent film stars to today’s global megastars, the exhibition will showcase the rise of the diva by going behind the sequins to reveal the cultural power and artistry of some of the world’s most captivating performers.
Presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), this Australian exclusive brings together more than 250 objects, including 60 spectacular costumes, jewellery, photography and handwritten lyrics spanning opera, pop, punk and Hollywood. Expect a red-carpet roll call of icons: Maria Callas, Grace Jones, Cher, Prince, Madonna, Elton John, Tina Turner, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Billie Eilish and more.
Australia’s own legends get their time on the red carpet, too — from Dame Nellie Melba and Peter Allen to Kylie Minogue, Olivia Newton-John, Jessica Mauboy and Amy Taylor of Amyl and the Sniffers. Discover exquisite garments by Bob Mackie, Vivienne Westwood, Maison Margiela, Valentino and Christian Dior, alongside personal artefacts, song sheets and rare photography.
Other highlights beyond Monroe and Elton John's outfit include Rihanna’s gemstone-encrusted papal robe from the 2018 Met Gala, Amy Taylor’s punk 'whoopee cushion' outfit and Kylie’s scarlet 'Padam Padam' look. As you move through the space, the stars’ songs will come alive – don't be surprised to hear 'Pynk' as you glide past Janelle Monáe’s pink ensembles.
Curated by the V&A’s Kate Bailey, with an immersive soundscape by award-winning designer Gareth Fry, Diva reclaims a word once used to criticise 'difficult' women and turns it into a celebration of empowerment, creativity and transformation. Here, there is no such thing as 'too much'.
You can buy tickets to Diva at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts here.
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