The reign of Australia's most fashionable official, outgoing Governor-General Quentin Bryce, is over, much to the disappointment of style commentators, monarchists and the Australian Women's Weekly.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bryce knew how to wear colour. She was Coco Chanel in high definition, never without an embellishment here or a statement necklace there. She was the Elizabeth Taylor of Australian politics, not only because she swore in so many prime ministers, but because she gave so many stuffy ceremonies panache and poise.
Highlights of her five-year term include lobbying for Australia's seat on the UN Security Council and visiting the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. She also publicly supported marriage equality in her final Boyer Lecture last year.
Bryce's style is more high-fashion than high-street. She was once overheard asking a visitor to Yarralumla, dressed in a bright cardigan, "Is that Alannah Hill?"
One of her closest fashion confidantes, Brisbane designer Pia Du Pradal - the woman behind the hot pink and orange silk brocade skirt suit Bryce wore to the royal wedding - says, "You could dress her in a hops sack and she'd know how to belt it and look fabulous."
