Norma Tullo's fashions were featured in the Super 70s exhibition at Ripponlea House and Garden. Here is an installation view of the exhibition, and some close-ups of the garment in the RMIT Design Archives collection. Vale Norma Tullo (1935-2019).
Super 70s! Pictured is the RMIT Design Archives evening dress designed by Norma Tullo c. 1973. It is currently on display at Rippon Lea House & Garden. According to the National Trust of Victoria’s curator, Elizabeth Anya-Petrivna “This dress typifies the sophistication of Norma Tullo’s designs. Made from very fine weight merino wool, it has a gauzy texture and soft drape”. The fabric is Peppinella, a fine wool made from the bloodstock merino Peppin, which made its debut in Tullo’s the winter collection in 1973. The garment is transformed on the mannequin. The RDA loved the styling - the glitter and the turban. formal garments dressed in winter
Tullo established her label in 1956 and her designs were used to promote the Australian textile industry. In 1965 she won a record seven Australian Wool board awards and the Australian Lyrebird award. As Anya-Petrivna observes “Ironically, she decided to retire while still at her peak in 1977, claiming that it had become increasingly difficult to source quality local fabrics to produce a seasonal range”. After closing her eponymous label in 1977, Tullo joined the team at Fletcher Jones in 1980, where she worked for several years. The ‘Super 70s’ exhibition is open daily at Rippon Lea Estate until 4 November.
Norma Tullo (born 1936) is truly an Australian Fashion legend, and one of the top designers of her time. In 1966 she clinched a deal with the Japanese department store Isetan to have her garments mass-produced in Japan. She was awarded a MBE in 1972 for Industry and Export in the Fashion Industry.
# design # fashion # throwbackthursday # 1970s # merinowool # wool
image credits:
installation view, Super 70s exhibition, Rippon Lea House & Garden, National Trust of Victoria
Norma Tullo, Evening dress, c. 1973, Gift of the National Textile Museum, 1999, 0055.2014.0001