Jenny Kee. Linda Jackson. Akira Isogawa.
Powerhouse Museum has curated multiple designer exhibitions.
Now a retail chain has been granted the rare honour, with Cue and the Powerhouse Museum announcing Cue: 50 Years of Australian Fashion.
This is the first exhibition to explore the unique story of the retail chain, which still predominantly manufactures onshore.
Rod Levis AM, established Cue in 1968, inspired by the youth culture of swinging London.
From the company’s Sydney HQ, where it is still based today, Cue has broken the trend of moving all production offshore.
Powerhouse chief Lisa Havilah said it is one of a kind.
“Cue is a major, design-led and family-owned Sydney based company.
"The Powerhouse is excited to be partnering with Cue for this exhibition which tells the story of fashion design and production in Australia.”
Twenty looks from the five decades of Cue’s history will be on display, from strong-shouldered power suits of the 1980s to current outfits.
These are exhibited alongside designer illustrations, photographs and advertising material.
Levis said he was honoured by the collaboration.
“When I opened our first Cue store with our own branded collection, in the Strand Arcade on 28 November 1968, I could not have envisaged we would be celebrating over 50 years later at the Powerhouse Museum.
"We are completely humbled that the Powerhouse has chosen to feature Cue’s history of design in this display. I am especially proud of our past link with the Powerhouse.
"In 2013 Making it: 20 Years of Student Fashion featured three of our designers’ work.
"Prue Rainey and Lauren Vieyra, who continue to work for Cue today, as well as our brand partner Dion Lee, are three of the only four students still active in the Australian fashion industry.”
Cue: 50 Years of Australian Fashion focuses on the ethos and workings of this family-owned company which is one of the many Australian success stories that form part of the Powerhouse’s permanent collection.
Cue: 50 Years of Australian Fashion opens on 29 November 2019 until 26 April 2020.