Inside ‘Bloomin’ Fabulous’: Giuseppe Pappalardo’s Protest-Inspired Gown Sets the Tone for a Must-See Runway
For this year’s Bloomin’ Fabulous runway, we had the joy of speaking with South Australian artist Giuseppe Pappalardo, whose stunning piece Prickly Pear & Olive brings the spirit of ‘Flower Power’ into powerful, poetic focus.
Now in its third year, Bloomin’ Fabulous returns with bold botanical statements, vibrant queer creativity, and a celebration of the ways flowers have long carried meaning in our histories, identities, and acts of resistance. Developed in partnership with SAMESH, this year’s event also marks 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in SA, a milestone that underpins this year’s theme of radical love, peace, and protest.
Giuseppe’s work, created with collaborator Gail Gunn and modelled beautifully by Temeka Lawlor, transforms canvas into a story-rich protest gown, graffitied with the intertwined histories of two plants: the prickly pear and the olive. Both cherished symbols of strength and survival in his southern Italian heritage, yet considered invasive or unwanted here in Australia, these plants become metaphors for belonging, displacement, and the ways we decide what, and who, gets to take root.
In our conversation, Giuseppe reflects on wearing a message of compassion and coexistence, and how fashion can challenge us to rethink our relationship with the “outsider,” whether plant, culture, or person.
Here’s what he had to say.
Why should people attend Bloomin’ Fabulous and what can they expect?
People should attend Bloomin’ Fabulous because it’s a vibrant celebration of creativity, identity, and community. This wonderful initiative, organised by SAMESH in partnership with the Adelaide Botanic Garden, shines a light on the rich and often overlooked connection between botany and queer identity. It offers a unique space where art, nature, and self-expression come together.
Visitors can expect an inspiring exhibition featuring botanical-inspired fashion created by LGBTIQA+ makers and designers. Every piece tells a story, blending natural forms with bold, imaginative design. You’ll see a diverse range of garments and artistic expressions, colourful, unexpected, intricate, and deeply creative.
Whether you’re passionate about fashion, fascinated by plants, or simply interested in supporting queer artistry and community initiatives, Bloomin’ Fabulous offers a welcoming and enriching experience for all. It’s a celebration of beauty, history, and identity, bursting with creativity and proudly inclusive.
What’s the inspiration, meaning, and message behind your design?
The design is inspired by the 1970s Flower Power movement and its message of peace, love, and unity. Using canvas like a protest banner, it features the Prickly Pear and Olive Tree, plants tied to the designer’s southern Italian heritage and symbols of survival and strength.
By highlighting plants seen as “weeds” or “out of place” in Australia, the piece questions who or what belongs. It encourages viewers to rethink their relationship with the outsider, whether in nature or society. Ultimately, the outfit acts as a peaceful protest, promoting compassion, coexistence, and understanding through wearable art.
What do you want people to take away from the show or feel from your design?
I want people to walk away feeling that every person is like a blank canvas, full of potential, stories, and possibility. Just as this design uses simple fabric to carry powerful meaning, we each have the ability to create, express, and shape the narrative of our own lives.
The piece is a reminder that growth, identity, and beauty can come from unexpected places. When we honour our roots, embrace difference, and allow our stories to unfold, we produce something meaningful. I hope viewers feel empowered to live authentically and to see the richness in themselves and others.
Why do queer stories matter?
Queer stories matter because they make people feel seen, heard, and valued. They broaden understanding, challenge stereotypes, and help build a more inclusive world. Sharing these stories celebrates diversity and ensures everyone has a place in our collective history.
What’s your lived experience been like in the LGBTQIA+ community, either as a queer person or an ally?
My lived experience has been shaped by growing up surrounded by queer icons like Gianni Versace, whose creativity, courage, and authenticity inspired me from a young age. Being connected to the creative world, which is so deeply influenced and enriched by LGBTQIA+ people, has shown me just how vibrant, expressive, and powerful this community is.
To me, the queer community represents beauty, imagination, resilience, and freedom. It’s a space where individuality is celebrated and storytelling thrives. Being part of or standing alongside this community has taught me the value of diversity, acceptance, and living boldly in who you are. It’s a world filled with colour, artistry, and heart, and I feel privileged to be connected to it.
What would you like the next 50 years of LGBTQIA+ liberation to look like in South Australia?
I’d love to see a future where equality is fully lived, not just promised, where LGBTQIA+ people feel safe, celebrated, and supported in every space. A South Australia where queer voices are heard, queer art is valued, and young people can grow up knowing they belong. True liberation means visibility, acceptance, and the freedom for everyone to live authentically without fear.
20 November 2025
Talking to the Box Office...