September 30, 2012
Cracking the Dress Code exhibition opens at Te Papa
The korowai show is in its final weeks, and now Te Papa is turning its eye to the other ways people cloak themselves.
Uniformity, cracking the dress code opened at the national museum over the weekend.
It includes a wide range of uniforms, including Victoria Cross winner Willie Apiata’s combat gear, Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae’s ceremonial uniform, and a black suit Destiny Church bishop Brian Tamaki bought off the rack in Italy.
There’s even a T-shirt worn by Tame Iti during his High Court trial.
Co-curator Puawai Cairns says Maori tend to gravitate towards creating a group identity through what they wear, so uniforms become a way to tell history.
The show runs for a year.