Back Roads S11E12 - Outback Dressmakers (Moree), NSW
Summary:
This week Heather is off to a wedding, discovering the world of made-to measure couture around Moree in outback New South Wales.
The Moree Plains might be more famous for their fertile rich black soil, but it's here that wedding dress designer Melinda O'Donoghue has made hundreds of show stopping dresses. Heather visits Melinda at her home turned bridal studio, watching a dress fitting and meeting Melinda's truck driver husband Des, who also happens to be the official button maker! Heading into Moree Heather meets proud Gomeroi woman and dress designer Colleen Tighe Johnson. Colleen grew up in Moree and started a free fashion program to inspire and empower the next generation of local Aboriginal women.
It was the beginning of a journey that has seen her dress designs featuring Gomeroi artworks catapulted to the world stage. Heather learns how Colleen now provides an avenue for young Aboriginal people to work as models and crew members at fashion shows in New York and beyond. Visiting the one remaining fabric shop in Moree, Heather meets Sylvia Broderick. Opening the shop in 1976 Sylvia has watched the fashion for making clothes decline, but Heather learns how Sylvia and her classic shop are still essential in supplying the local dressmaking community.
And finally, Heather gets to go to a wedding! Invited by of one of Melinda's brides to see first-hand the impact of a great dress.
