If you're attending Saturday night's Mardi Gras Parade and looking for some inspiration, you must go and see the show of the year at the Tap Gallery on the corner of Palmer and Liverpool streets.
The upstairs gallery, entered from Palmer Street, is featuring until Sunday an incredible show of museum-quality costumes by legendary Darlinghurst designer Ron Muncaster, alongside artworks inspired by his designs - and using off-cuts from the fabrics - by his partner of 15 years, Craig Craig.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I walked upstairs I was struck by a room filled with creativity and daring designs.
The costumes date back to the early 1980s and featured in Mardi Gras Parades throughout the years. The inspiration is incredible. Muncaster is a true creative dreaming up over-the-top concoctions that are shiny, sequined and could only be worn in the Mardi Gras Parade.
Meanwhile, Craig's works almost act as inspiration boards, dissecting all the pieces and fabrics that have gone into creating these extravagant costumes.
Can you imagine someone sauntering down Oxford Street in this sapphire gown:
I would love to wear a costume like the one below where my identity could be kept secret as I danced down the parade route (only because I'm quite shy):
Alongside one of the costumes is a photograph showing Ron in the parade wearing the large skirt and headdress (which was apparently stolen) and it really brings the idea of Mardi Gras to life: a celebration of sexuality, individuality and acceptance.
As Craig explains in the exhibition flier: "Early on, I could see that our acceptance in the wider community was going to be by our exposure in media, television and on the streets and Ron was part of that evolution that I could support."
Happy Mardi Gras everyone. I hope it doesn't rain on Saturday night.
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Blinged Out Fabulous
By Ron Muncaster and Craig Craig
Upstairs at the Tap Gallery
278 Palmer Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Until Sunday 2 March 2013
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