Love, Desire & Riches: A Day At Ripponlea
Everyone loves a wedding. The drama, glamour, the first dance, the first kiss …. and of course, the dress! Although traditions have changed, the magic and occasion of the special day remains. Today, C&G have a special wedding invitation (of kinds) for you: experience the changing traditions of Australian and international wedding ceremonies at opulent Rippon Lea exhibition Love, Desire and Riches. BYO bouquet!
Located at atmospheric Rippon Lea House and Garden, the drama and history of Love, Desire and Riches is enhanced by romantic mansion surrounds. Rippon Lea (designed by architects Reed and Barnes in 1868) was the family residence of the Sargood family who grew wealthy during the Gold Rush era from the sales of clothing and drapery. The Sargoods went on to become influential politically, and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle at Ripponlea – holding balls, parties and raising their family amongst its capacious pleasure gardens. Now the property of the National Trust, Rippon Lea is an icon of bayside architecture and history.
Love, Desire and Riches presents a collection of over 50 breathtaking wedding dresses, rarely seen and depicted in beautiful tableaux throughout Rippon Lea Mansion. Spanning over 200 years of wedding fashion, you’ll have the opportunity see gowns from renowned designers including Valentino for Princess Marie Chantal of Greece and Australian designers Akira Isogawa and Collette Dinnigan. There are also memorable dresses from pop-culture (including Kylie Minogue’s gown in her role as Charlene in Neighbours) and dresses worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma and Natassia Kinski in Tess. Ready yourself for a seat at the table with Dickens’ Miss Havisham – a spookily-lit, cobwebbed dining room honouring the scorned bride from Great Expectations – featuring gowns actress Gillian Anderson wore in the most recent BBC production.
After you finish wandering the stained glass lit halls of Rippon Lea’s mansion, venture into the gardens for a picnic or a game of croquet. You’ll be surprised to see that most romantic of characters – a super-sized statue of Mr. Darcy as portrayed by Colin Firth – is installed in one of Rippon Lea’s lakes. A fitting romantic lead to match a morning at Love, Desire and Riches. Now enjoying an extended showing until the 2nd of November – for tickets, click here.
