First Nations

The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.

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Stories

Karen Walker – My Top 10 Misfits

Beautiful Freak in the Machine
Powerhouse X VIVID
Karen Walker wearing sunglasses, a beige trench coat and jeans walking on a hill.
Stories
Karen Walker – My Top 10 Misfits

‘Corduroy, tweed, Cuban heels, bonkers glasses - need I say more?’
Karen Walker

From Jarvis Cocker to James Baldwin to Nina Simone, Karen Walker shares her top 10 misfits and how they have influenced her style and worldview.

Body hugging, knee length dress made of navy blue cotton mix fabric. Printed in white and grey on the front of the dress is a fake multi-strand necklace of pearls.
Dress designed and made by Karen Walker, New Zealand, 2000
Object No. 2001/66/1-1
A model wearing black dress, white high heels, and pearl necklace standing in front of a pink background. At the top right of the photo prints 'Etiquette' in white text.

Beautiful Freak in the Machine

This is a series of five short films telling stories of fashion, freedom and self-expression. Trailblazers share stories of personal bests and creative processes, colliding with layers of imagery from their bodies of work. These short films are for style fans and pop culture geeks, celebrating the outliers, the misfits and the spirit of creativity.

Presented by Vivid Ideas and Powerhouse

Featuring: Karen Walker
Creative director: David Bonney
Creative producer: Anna May Kirk
Commissioning editors: Callum Cooper, Lisa Ffrench, Tory Loudon Producer: Cara Stewart
Editor: Yeoseop Yoon
Image research: Brittany Wyper
Special thanks to Mikhail Gherman

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On the left hand side is a purple bike, on the right hand side is a person wearing a purple shirt, black pants and olive coloured shoes making the shape of a telescope out of their hands.

Perks and Mini – Collaboration Mutation

Beautiful Freak in the Machine
Paul Bui is in centre frame wearing a crystal headpiece. There is a multicoloured swirling background.

Paul Bui– From Rave to Ballroom

Beautiful Freak in the Machine
Karen Walker wearing sunglasses, a beige trench coat and jeans walking on a hill.

Karen Walker – My Top 10 Misfits

Beautiful Freak in the Machine
A model stands on the runway during the Australian Fashion Week 2022 Romance Was Born runway show. They wear a colourful floor length dress.

Romance Was Born x Bat for Lashes

Beautiful Freak in the Machine
Stories
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