“It’s exciting to finally be able to talk about this,” says Australian fashion designer Dion Lee of the 24-piece collection he’s designed for the staff of the Sydney Opera House. “We’ve been working on this for a long time.”

Lee first announced the collaboration with Opera House in May 2017, when he opened Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on the forecourt steps. It’s the first change of uniform in 14 years, and will be rolled out for the venue’s 45th anniversary.

The country’s most famous landmark has featured throughout Lee’s career. One of his initial shows was held in its northern foyer, and his 2013 Utzon collection (for the International Woolmark Prize) was inspired by the building’s architecture – it ultimately helped to propel him onto the global fashion stage. “They’ve been very supportive of the brand,” says Lee.

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Lee has once again used the building as a muse. “I started with a few different motifs, then built the collection around … the architecture of the building – the sails, the fold of the sails when you look at the Opera House at different angles. The motifs became the fold on a cuff, a fold on a lapel or on a collar.”

The result is a refined navy ensemble that includes a tailored blazer and akubra hat that reflects the building’s concrete; the pleated dress and skirt are inspired by the building’s Monumental Steps. Staff members can pick and choose from the modular range, depending on their roles.

Functionality was a priority for Lee, and he regularly asked staff to try on and work in the pieces to make sure they suited everyone “from theatre staff to ticketing and tour guides,” he says.

In his mind, a good uniform is an outfit people are happy to wear. “[There’s a] lot of diplomacy around making things work for many different body types, bringing together an aesthetic that everyone identifies with. And for me, a great uniform should stand the test of time and have a really strong identity but feel classic and timeless,” Lee says.

The new uniforms will be rolled out on October 20 this year.

sydneyoperahouse.com/dionleeuniform