A vibrant collision of fashion, popular culture and LGBTQIA+ lived experiences that defined the early 1990s in Brisbane, Queensland Museum Kurilpa presents Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the 90s.
Make a Scene is the first social history exhibition of its kind at the museum offering a colourful journey through a pivotal time in Queensland’s LGBTQIA+ history, through the lens of fashion.
Coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Queensland the exhibition brings together fashion, pop culture, and powerful personal narratives to uncover untold stories from a time of incredible social and cultural change.
Photographs and personal stories will shine a light on the important role fashion played in LGBTQIA+ lives and the flourishing night club and dance party scene that defined a new youth culture at the beginning of the 1990s, a celebration of creativity, self-expression, and pride.
The exhibition will feature more than 70 ensembles from Queensland Museum’s fashion and textile collections alongside the garments from community, designers and some famous archives.
Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said the exhibition reflects the museum’s role in telling Queensland’s story, including moments of resistance, transformation and pride.
“Make a Scene is a contemporary insight into some of Queensland’s LGBTQIA+ creative history, and thanks to the community, a chance to share parts of our collection that have not been displayed before,” said Dr Thompson. “Coinciding with this anniversary important to LGBTQIA+ Queenslanders, we’re proud to share these narratives, and to offer visitors an insight into a time that helped shape modern Brisbane.”
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said Make a Scene captures the diversity, creativity, and stories of LGBTQIA+ Queenslanders during an important time in the state’s history. “Make a Scene celebrates and preserves a significant part of our state’s cultural history through the arts,” said Minister Langbroek.
Head of Cultures and Histories Queensland Museum and exhibition curator Christopher Salter said the early 1990s were a defining era for Brisbane’s queer community.
“This exhibition shines a light on a time of dynamic change, and how the way we dressed not only expressed our identity, sexuality, and personality on the dancefloor, but also helped us find ‘our tribe’, and sense of belonging and safety,” said Christopher.
“Make a Scene captures the energy of the 90s through brilliant fashion, powerful pop culture and the voices of those who lived it. We are grateful to LGBTQIA+ community members, historians, artists and advocacy groups who have contributed to the exhibition, ensuring these stories are told with authenticity, respect and heart.”
Visitors can expect standout pieces from iconic local independent designers from the era including Mark Wilson (Hairy Dog), and Chrissy Feld and Kenn Bushby (Glamourpussy), a recreated nightclub experience, and contributions from cultural icons such as Darren Hayes, The Huxleys and Kylie Minogue, and costumes from much-loved Australian film Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
New commissions from Brisbane-based labels Bulley Bulley (Bianca and Kiara Bulley) and Pig Suit (Rhiannon Daly) will reflect contemporary trends in queer fashion.
Whether you lived through the 90s or are discovering its bold spirit for the first time, Make a Scene invites you into an era where the dancefloor became a runway and every outfit told a story.
Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the 90s
Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Corner Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane
Exhibition continues to 19 July 2026
Free entry
For more information, visit: www.museum.qld.gov.au for details.
Images: Installation view of Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the 90s – photos by Markus Ravik