Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018) Mrs Hester Appleyard's black mourning costume

Australia, 2017

Courtesy Fremantle Australia

Object Australian TV
Photograph by Egmont Contreras

In the opening scene of Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018), we see Mrs Appleyard (Natalie Dormer) standing in a window. The shot is slightly unfocussed. Beyond the sense of the statuesque, which is conveyed by her dark clothes, wide hat and veil – and the intimidating silhouette of her highly structured gown – the details are hard to pin down. Quickly, we learn that Mrs Appleyard, the mysterious teacher who oversees Appleyard college, deals in impressions: “people always believe their own eyes”, her voice drawls in voice-over. In her imperious dark mourning dress, the transformation from wayward London urchin Hester into the respected Mrs Appleyard is complete.

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Collection

Not in ACMI's collection

Previously on display

25 July 2022

ACMI: Gallery 1

Credits

costume designer

Edie Kurzer

Production places
Australia
Production dates
2017

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

LN189179

Curatorial section

The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Worlds → MW-04. Costume Design → MW-04-C01

Object Types

3D Object

Costume/costume element

Collected

5231 times

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If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/120118--picnic-at-hanging-rock-2018-mrs-hester-appleyards-black-mourning-costume/ |title=Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018) Mrs Hester Appleyard's black mourning costume |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=22 November 2024 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}