Swagger Special Interest Tour: Walk and Talk with Curator Dr Paola Di Trocchio and Designers Max Bell and Cuong Nguyen

Throughout the month of June, The Johnston Collection’s exhibition Swagger: Gentlemen of Fashion will also feature works from the graduate collections of emerging fashion designers Max Bell and Cuong Nguyen, led by esteemed fashion curator Dr Paola Di Trocchio.

Join the creative forces behind this event on a special, one-off ‘Walk and Talk’ tour of Swagger. Straight from the source, visitors will learn about the garments on show, the sartorial inspirations behind them, and the wider world of men’s fashion.

Experience cutting-edge, contemporary design in dialogue with treasures of British and European fine and decorative arts from The Johnston Collection.

Dr Paola Di Trocchio is one of Australia’s leading fashion curators. With over twenty years’ experience delivering outstanding projects and programs, she has worked with the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Fashion Festival, and the University of Melbourne.

Max Bell is a multi-disciplinary artist and graduate of Melbourne Whitehouse Institute of Design. His work reflects an interest in couture-level garments and experimental materials. Pieces from his graduate collection Transfiguration will be on display in Fairhall throughout June 2025.

Cuong Nguyen is a Vietnamese-Australian fashion designer and graduate of RMIT’s fashion design program. Nguyen’s practice focuses on reclaiming traditional, slow fashion methods and the art of bespoke tailoring. Pieces from his graduate collection, What It Feels Like for a Boy will be on display in Fairhall throughout June 2025.

Your ticket includes:

- tea or Market Lane coffee on arrival, served from our Wedgwood fine bone china
- an introduction to The Johnston Collection by one of our knowledgeable Volunteer Guides
- an intimate tour experience led by the creatives behind Swagger: The State of Contemporary Menswear with no more than 8 visitors per guide (groups of up to 22 are welcome)
- time to explore a wide range of exclusive gifts, books, and homewares at TJC Emporium

This event is generously supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants and The Sir Wilfred and C H (Roger) Brookes Charitable Trust.

Images:
1. Cuong Nguyen design. Photo: Cuong Nguyen & Lilly McFarlane Ahern.
2. Max Bell design. Photo: Monica Dragut.