Simply Madonna

Madonna has changed her look and style possibly hundreds of times; there was the Monroe tribute in Material Girl, blonde bombshell for her Blonde Ambition tour and cowgirl styling for her cover of the Don McLean classic, American Pie. And while her style now leans more towards “gym bunny”, a new exhibition at Chadstone’s luxury precinct, demonstrates her influence on popular culture over the past 25 years.

Launched by her “good friend”, Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum, the Simply Madonna exhibition is a privately owned collection of Madonna’s outfits and other personal items gathered over her long career. This is the first time the exhibition has being shown outside of London. It’s quite fitting that Australia hosts the exhibition after London considering we gave Madonna her first number one record, Holiday.

Like her name, Madonna’s costumes only need a word or two to conjure up some iconic images. The cone bra is just one of those. Débuting at her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour, this infamous and provocative outfit is now a little faded, with perhaps even a loose thread of two, but considering the dance routines she would have performed in it, it’s in remarkable condition.

Jean Paul Gaultier has been one of Madonna’s most successful outfitters, responsible for many of her most iconic and memorable costumes. On display at Chadstone is a black bustier with a cone bra and gold nipple tassels, taken directly from her 1986 hit clip, Open Your Heart. There is also a vintage lace wrap dress designed by Gaultier.

And if you want to look back at the tragic fashion year that was 2000, you need look no further than her outfit for American Pie. On display is the blue singlet adorned with sequins, distressed denim jeans with a frayed hem and to accessories, her flower velvet choker. From her Music album, the country theme continues with a straw, beaded hat, decorated by Tracy Watts.

Evita costumes also feature heavily at the exhibition and of course the one everyone wants to see, the pink dress and fur stole from the clip Material Girl. There’s also a heap of costumes from her 2004 Reinvention tour, when she defied her age and proved her continued hotness. And for something a little special, Madonna’s American Express credit card from the 80s is also on display.

Entry is free and the exhibition will be at Chadstone until the 4th of April.