Jo
Peterson

'The Road Map Out’ by Jo Peterson My entry for the Myer Fashions on the Field Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award for 2022 was inspired by Melbourne’s tumultuous pandemic journey. It was made for a gallery exhibition as part of MFW last year but given that the VRC ‘supports and encourages sustainability in the sourcing, manufacturing and design process and the minimisation of their impact on the environment’, I felt that, with some clever alterations and additions, my sustainability mantra would honoured. Why should fashion only be seen once and then relegated to become landfill? I did not purchase any new supplies to complete my design and as such I believed that ‘The Road Map Out’ deserved another ‘spin’ on the catwalk during Spring Carnival! The main design feature is the many colourful and hand-crafted Dorset buttons which are representative of Melbourne’s cultural diversity and the interconnectedness of its different communities. The buttons deliberately overlap to signify the support we offered each other and drew upon during such difficult and uncertain times. My individual journey as a concerned (and frightened) wife, mum, sister, daughter, friend and chemotherapy nurse is captured by the meandering chain. Weaving its way here and there at will, I wasn’t always sure of the right path to navigate to keep myself, and those closest to me, safe. And what of the ‘hidden gems’ of lockdown? The things we learned or rediscovered which we may not have done if it weren’t for Covid. There are beads, crystals and pearls in my design that are there to be discovered if you look for them. They are symbolic of the good things we encountered…connecting with family, time on the couch, binge watching TV, nana naps, jigsaw challenges, zoom trivia nights, virtual cocktail hours and learning to be more kind to each other. And finally, the bow. Hidden from view until the very end. It has a ‘pop’ of uplifting colour. It is joyous. It is hopeful. It holds promise. Promise of a life beyond Covid.