HOW AN AUSTRALIAN FASHION ICON TURNS INTO BEING AN INSPIRATION FOR THE RESTYLING OF A COMMUNITY CENTRE

Text by Diletta Accorroni

Journalist and publisher Juanita Nielsen went missing on July 4, 1975 apparently after a business appointment in a night club in Sydney, near Kings Cross station. Her body has never been found, no one has ever been charged for what happened and behind this murder there are probably her strong beliefs and social fights as activist. Apart from this, she was a heiress and a sort of fashionista, whose striped tops and style in general, became iconic.

Juanita Nielsen in her office, 1974

That’s the reason why the Community Centre based in Sydney and with her name, has been adorned during a recent re-styling with the famous Dickson’s Orchestra Block Stripes.

Usually, the stripes of these fabrics are vertical, but in this particular case the 45 degrees placement was chosen in order to change completely the image of the geometric bands.

Juanita Nielsen's Stripes_Dickson’s Orchestra Block Stripes_fashion_design_architecture_Community Centre_Sidney

All those Juanita’s portraits in which she is wearing stripes have been a clear reference for architects and creatives while making the building’s renovation. Zigzag ceilings, diagonal shutters and fabrics are a constant allusion to this. 

Coming to the Dickson’s stripes, they embody the best solution when it comes to solar protection, both for domestic and professional use. 

Juanita Nielsen's Stripes_Dickson’s Orchestra Block Stripes_fashion_design_architecture_Community Centre_Sidney

A range of more than 208 innovative fabrics, both striped and with combined colors, shows unprecedented properties and performance, able to ensure excellent protection against UV rays, heat, brightness and weathering. Its acrylic fiber, together with the special Cleangard treatment for outdoor awnings, guarantees great sealing colours over time and good resistance to water, tearing and dirt.

How beautiful is when somebody’s particular style can merge into contemporary design and architecture?