By invitation only

BY INVITATION ONLY: Industry delegates attending this month's fashionstate festival were given a rare glimpse into the Powerhouse Museum's Fashion Archives.

Curator Glynis Jones led two guided tours through the Sydney museum's basement storage area, unearthing some of the 40,000 pieces contained in the extensive collection. Highlights included nineteenth century dresses, corsetry and key pieces from designers such as Mariana Fortuny, Akira Isogawa, Comme des Garcons and Phillip Treacy.

The collection spans across a broad range of key trends in garment construction, from antiquated crinoline fabrics and dresses with bustles through to contemporary pieces from Gucci.