Designer Dion Lee and Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron (centre) at the unveiling of the Dion Lee uniform collection.Credit:Louie Douvis
"Growing up in the theatre I was exposed to the Opera House a lot from a young age and the building has influenced me as I grew up,it is a place of much inspiration for me,"he said.
"I've presented four collections here,the first in the Northern Foyer which really launched my career internationally and for last year's Australian Fashion Week I launched my collection here on the Opera House steps,"the designer said.
Ivan Ginovic,now a theatre manager who began working at the Opera House 46 years ago as a fireman,was among the staff who modelled the 24-piece collection in the Utzon Room,the only room in the building where the interior was designed by the original architect,Joern Utzon.
They were joined by the Opera House choir who sang the Stevie Wonder hitHappy Birthdayat the end of the fashion parade.
Fashion designer Dion Lee during a fitting of his new uniform for Sydney Opera House staff.Credit:Nic Walker
Lee calls the elegant navy tailored jacket for front of house staff his"hero piece". The jacket has a lapel,modelled on the 3D designs of the sails of the building. It is the sails and architecture of the building that is the most influential motif,throughout his collection,he says.
"I approached the uniforms the way[Uzon] approached design,"Lee said.