Flamingo Park Frock Salon facts for kids

Flamingo Park Frock Salon was a famous fashion shop and brand in The Strand Arcade in Sydney, Australia. It was created by two talented Australian artists and designers, Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson.

Jenny and Linda met at an art show in Sydney in 1973. Soon after, they started their fashion business. It included their special "frock salon" (a fancy name for a dress shop) and fun fashion shows called the "Flamingo Follies."

What Was Flamingo Park?

The Flamingo Park Frock Salon was open in the Strand Arcade from 1973 until 1992. When people visited, they were invited to "step into paradise." The shop was known for its "explosion of shape and colour." Many famous people from around the world visited, including singer David Bowie and musician Joni Mitchell. Other well-known visitors were Rudolph Nureyev, Eric Idle from Monty Python, and Mick Jagger.

Unique Designs and Fabrics

Jenny Kee was famous for her amazing knitwear designs. These were hand-knitted by Jan Ayres. Linda Jackson was an expert in patchwork and applique. She loved to use fabrics like taffeta, crêpe de Chine, chiffon, and georgette.

The designers wanted their clothes to be very high quality. They made sure their prices matched the hard work put into each unique design. They never mass-produced their clothes or sold franchises. This kept their fashion special and one-of-a-kind.

The Creative Partnership

Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson were a very interesting team. They loved to travel and brought ideas from all over the world into their designs. People said they were "compatible" (meaning they worked well together) but had "totally opposite personalities."

Jenny was described as outgoing and full of energy. Linda was seen as quiet and dreamy. Together, they created fashion that was truly unique to Australia. They didn't follow trends from other countries.

Awards and Recognition

In 1977, Flamingo Park won an Australian Lyrebird Award. They won in the "creative fashion" category called "The Innovators." They were recognized for a beautiful purple silk taffeta fantasy dress.

In 2018, both Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson received a special honor. They were made Officers of the Order of Australia. This award recognized their important contributions to Australia's fashion industry.

Step Into Paradise Exhibition

In 2019, the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney held a special exhibition. It was called Step Into Paradise. This show featured many of Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson's designs. The museum even recreated a "re-imagined" version of the original Flamingo Park salon for visitors to experience.