The Capitol acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. We respectfully acknowledge their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. We also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

Peter Strickland In Conversation

The acclaimed British filmmaker discusses his seductive, darkly humorous fashion thriller In Fabric (2018).

During the cold winter of 2020’s lockdown we virtually held a long weekend for fashion victims and film fetishists with a triple bill screening of Peter Strickland‘s wickedly hypnotic fashion satire In Fabric (2018), live conversation with Strickland (above) plus a public masterclass deep diving into fashion victims, desire, bodies and consumption, available to watch here.

The film follows a lonely woman (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), recently separated from her husband, who visits a bewitching London department store in search of a dress that will transform her life. She’s fitted with a perfectly flattering, artery-red gown—which, in time, will come to unleash a malevolent curse and unstoppable evil, threatening everyone who comes into its path.

Peter Strickland, the singular auteur behind the sumptuous sadomasochistic romance The Duke of Burgundy (2014) and auditory giallo-homage Berberian Sound Studio (2012) delves into his twisted and brilliantly original vision, In Fabric with film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

In Fabric is available to watch here via Kanopy (for selected library memberships – check with your local library.)

Presented by The Capitol and Arcadia Film.

“Part British-horror homage and part Freudian nightmare, this fetishistic ghost story is a singularly warped vision of haunted couture.” – David Fear, Rolling Stone