While women are more present than ever in the armed forces, the military uniform somehow remains a symbol of hyper-masculinity. It evokes ‘manly’ ideas of discipline, power and emotional disconnection — and, of course, there's the old trope lauding the physical appeal of a man in uniform.
In Men in Uniform, Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours candidate Sally Edwards uses a collection of men’s fashion to playfully reinterpret the military uniform and its masculine associations. The exhibition takes the form of a one-night-only runway show, where Edwards’ collection sees combat fatigues and trench coats become pink PVC and orange knits, questioning current notions of masculinity and how they are communicated through fashion.
Be at AC-H Gallery from 5pm, 17 October, to see Men in Uniform march down the runway.
Photo by Yck Strong.