It was the defining moment of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week this year: Indigenous drag queen Felicia Foxx rocking a diaphanous absinthe ballgown designed by Melbourne-based Marrithiyel Aboriginal artist Paul McCann who, only seven months before, had swapped his paints for a sewing machine.
The ‘Gumnut Gown’ – 12.5 metres of shot organza brought on eBay as ‘deadstock’ and then embellished with eucalyptus-leaf appliqués and dozens of foraged gumnuts painted in 24-carat gold – was such a triumph that the National Gallery of Victoria snapped it up, its destiny next March’s Queer exhibition.
“I like my designs to have a bit of drama,” says McCann. “I
