Nicol & Ford

THORN centred the Sydney artist and occultist Rosaleen Norton and moved through three linked areas: 1950s kink and underworld sexuality, hybrid human-animal forms, and histories of witchcraft and persecution. Rope, chain, leather, corsetry and metal structures carried the tension between restraint and transformation, while softer organza, lurex and faux fur complicated the harder body architecture.

Fetu Taku opened the presentation through movement, Miguel Urbina Tan styled the 25 looks and Jonny Seymour shaped the sound. Matea Gluščević, J. R. Harvey, Phoebe Hyles and Tobias Sangkuhl returned as principal makers. The closing garment used approximately 350 prepared oyster shells and was worn by Jamaica Moana, giving the final transformation a physical weight that moved beyond conventional eveningwear.