Easton Pearson: a DIA Hall of Fame feature
In partnership with the Museum of Brisbane (MOB), the DIA is presenting an 'In conversation with Lydia Pearson' at MOB in Brisbane on Thursday, 8 June, the renowned fashion designer inducted into the DIA's Hall of Fame in 2017. We've taken a moment to converse, remember and celebrate one of Australia's iconic fashion houses co-founded by Pearson, Easton Pearson.
The Designers’ Guide: Easton Pearson Archive 2018. Illustration: Stephen Mok. Donated by Dr Paul Eliadis through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program 2017, Easton Pearson Archive, Museum of Brisbane Collection. Photo: Carl Warner
Delving into the much-loved Easton Pearson fashion studio, we remind ourselves of the established global reputation for its colourful and intricate designs and the brand’s reinterpretation of mainstream trends. Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson met in the 1970s through mutual friends and the theatre and combined their considerable talents and interests to form an internationally successful fashion brand.
Though having closed their doors in 2016 after 28 years, Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson's label still resonates. The Museum of Brisbane's Easton Pearson Archive is the most extensive textile collection from a single Australian fashion house held by a museum.
The archive features the complete collection of the internationally acclaimed brand. It comprises over 3,300 signature garments and over 5000 support materials, including accessories, original sketches, lookbooks, ephemera and runway footage.
"Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson were the storytellers of Australian fashion, says Cathy de Silva, Acting CEO of the Museum of Brisbane.
"Their designs remain cutting-edge due to their experimental, demi-couture processes and passion for creating bespoke textiles, prints and embellishments. Museum of Brisbane is proud to have the archive within our collection and look forward to continuing to share the designer's incredible legacy with the community."
From the label's launch in 1998 to its close in 2016, Easton Pearson's eclectic, boldly patterned and embellished fashions graced catwalks and showrooms across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, America and Australia and quickly became one of Australia's most successful fashion houses.
We spoke with Karen Webster, the DIA’s Vic/Tas State Chair about Pearson. She comments: “Lydia Pearson is a highly respected fashion creative, whose contribution to Australian fashion as a designer and academic has positioned her at the pinnacle of design innovation. Alongside her creative soulmate Pamela Easton, Lydia spearheaded Australian fashion globally, merging artisan techniques, sublime textiles, decorative embellishments and responsible innovation.
“Her grasp of the modern woman’s wardrobe cannot be underestimated combining exceptional aesthetics while retaining ease. Collections that were created to last a lifetime, I am the proud owner of many pieces that are the highlight of my wardrobe and will become my heirlooms.”
The Designers’ Guide: Easton Pearson Archive (installation detail) 2018. Illustration: Stephen Mok. Donated by Dr Paul Eliadis through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program 2017, Easton Pearson Archive, Museum of Brisbane Collection. Photo: Carl Warner
The Designers’ Guide: Easton Pearson Archive (installation detail) 2018. Illustration: Stephen Mok. Donated by Dr Paul Eliadis through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program 2017, Easton Pearson Archive, Museum of Brisbane Collection. Photo: Carl Warner
The ‘Pattern and Print: Easton Pearson Archive’, now touring nationwide, is presented in collaboration with the MOB and Museums Galleries Queensland. This exhibition showcases the extent of the vibrant garments that highlight the fashion house's technical innovations, bespoke fabric, and distinctive prints.
Easton Pearson collaborated with individual artists and artisans to create unique designs ranging from colourful Indian beading to designs painted by hand directly onto a finished dress. The garments in the touring show are complemented by a custom mural by Brisbane-based painter, illustrator and long-time Easton Pearson collaborator Stephen Mok. Stephen hand-painted patterns onto garments, decorated accessories and props for the runway and created window designs for the label's flagship Brisbane store.
“For over 25 years, the DIA Hall of Fame Program has celebrated the work of eminent designers and their significant contribution to Australia's economic development and cultural identity. It is wonderful to see Queensland designers Easton Pearson honoured in the company of other Australian fashion greats such as Collette Dinnigan AO, Prue Action OBE, Jenny Kee, Akira Isogawa and Aurelio Costarella, and over 130 other multi-disciplinary design luminaries inducted since the program's inception in 1996.
“It is a valuable platform that documents our nation's unique and diverse historical design talents,” adds Dr Natalie Wright FDIA, QUT Senior Lecturer in Interior Architecture and DIA's Queensland Councillor.
Designers Lydia Pearson and Pamela Easton among their Archive. Photo: David Kelley.
With previous shows at MAAS, the NGV and the Doha Museum, we cannot deny the house's influence. There's no doubt Easton Pearson's mark and effect will remain forever.
Lydia Pearson will be joined by Dr Natalie Wright FDIA, DIA's Queensland Councillor and QUT Senior Lecturer in Interior Architecture, and Melissa Blight FDIA Museum of Brisbane Exhibitions Coordinator.
For the in conversation with Lydia Pearson on 8 June.
Readers are also encouraged to read more on the DIA’s Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame 2023 nominations are now open.
About Hall of Fame
The DIA Queensland Branch is pleased to present an event spotlighting the incredible work of Queensland Designers who have been inducted into the DIA Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is an enduring record of design pioneers and ambassadors' significant contributions to Australia's economic development and cultural identity. Induction is the ultimate recognition for achievement and contribution to the Australian design industry and acknowledges design leaders across all disciplines. Over 130 designers have been inducted since the program's inception in 1996.
Written by Alexandra Zafiriou, DIA’s head of brand and editor, in collaboration with Museum of Brisbane.