Dress, cream polyester/white silk, narrow straps, sequinned bodice with cut-out detail and long skirt with train, 'opera house long', designed by 'Tarvydas', Perth, Western Australia, 2008.

The full length evening dress was inspired by the Sydney Opera House and features a fitted,

crystal-encrusted bodice, with a silk skirt. The bodice is made from fitted cream polyester, as

are the narrow straps that extend to the garment's back and provide support. The cup of the

bust finishes in a triangular shape, and features a double layer. The outer-most layer mirrors

the shape of the original cup, but is reduced in size to form a peaked effect suggestive of the

Sydney Opera House roof shells. The fitted bodice extends below the waist in traingular peaks

mirroring the top of the bust. The bodice features Sydney Opera House shell-like cutouts.

The bodice has been entirely embellished using Swarovski crystals set in individual cavities,

suggesting the mirrored effect acchieved on the Sydney Opera House  chevron tiles that

cover the shells. The flared, floor-length skirt is made from two layers of ivory silk chiffon, with

fluted edging. The skirt is split in two places, beginning at the edge of the bodice: one high

on the thigh of the proper right side; the other on the centre back skirt. The skirt finishes in an extended train.

History: 

The 'Sunset Over the Opera House' (SOTO) dress by Ruth Tarvydas was inspired by the iconic

Sydney Opera House. This style, in a tangerine colourway, was officially selected as the costume

for the international final of the Miss Universe contest in 2009, held in the Bahamas. This garment

was worn by a trapeze artist to open the Perth Fashion Festival (PFF) in 2010.

Department: 

Collection

History Collection

Ruth Tarvydas Collection

Collection Item Data