Linda Jackson is an iconic designer who, with Jenny Kee, created a new visual language for contemporary Australian fashion in the 1970s, inspired by Australia's flora, fauna and landscapes.

Until then, the Australian fashion industry had mostly looked outward, copying what Europe did. But Linda and Jenny shook that whole thing up, and the world took notice. In Sydney they engergised the fashion scene, collaborating with creative friends like Peter Tully and David McDairmid, who went on to become leading lights of the Mardis Gras movement. In Milan and Paris, they were photographed by Italian Vogue and made a big splash. In the US, they were key to Neiman Marcus's Australian Fortnight in 1986 and in London, three years later, to the V&A show Australian Fashion: The Contemporary Art.

Linda opened her Bush Couture studio in 1982 and began collaborating with Indigenous women batik artists at Utopia Station.

This Episode is about culture and respect, and valuing originality. It’s also, broadly, about craft and technique and the hands-on practice of making clothes. And it's a window into another era via the story of how an arty kid from Melbourne grew up to be one of the wildest style voices of her generation.

Music is by Montaigne http://www.montaignemusic.com.au/

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