Acton, Prue (1943 - )

Career Highlights

During her career Acton has been variously described: as 'Australia's young darling of dress design', Hancock, 1970); with '...the soft pretty looks of a teenager and the tenacity of a hard-headed businessman' (Rayner, 1971); and, someone who 'effortlessly created fashion in the Australian vernacular' (Humphries, 1996).

Won Australian Wool Board Wool Fashion Awards 1965, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971; David Jones Awards for Fashion Excellence 1971, 1972, 1978; FIA (Fashion Industry of Australia) Lyrebird Awards 1971, 1973 (Hall of Fame), 1978, 1980. Awarded OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) 1982; Won Australian Fashion Awards 1985, 1987. Acton designed Australian Olympic uniforms (1978, Lake Placid, USA); (1984, Los Angeles); (1988, Seoul) .

Acton's repertoire of styles and design elements have included: 'gangster' pants suit; the baby vamp; the mini skirt; pintucked baby doll; the catsuit; the romantic look; capes; leatherwear; hardware (chains, brass buttons, studs); the pantsdress; culottes; battle jackets; peasant style; cut-outs, the wet look; the maxi; the tunic top; the coat dress; fun faux fur; the midi; delta style; poncho; the layered look; bib and braces; gaucho; animal prints; little knitted tops; cropped jackets; Beardsley-influenced prints; the tartar look; the tapestry look; mix and match; pinafore pants; hotpants; brickie knickers; patchwork suedes ...

Acton described herself as 'an artist who chooses to work in the field of fashion' (Portfolio, September, 1987). Since the early 1990s Acton has restricted design work to occasional corporate work. Her former hobby, painting, has become a fulltime occupation.

Related Entries

• Prue Acton (1963 - 1991)