item details
NameDrag Legend: Kiwi Carmen
ProductionVictor Morey; photographer; 1963; Sydney
Classificationphotographs, portraits
Materialsphotographic paper, wood, paint, glass
Materials SummaryFramed, hand coloured photograph
Techniquesphotography, commercial portraiture, hand colouring, framing, glazing
DimensionsFrame: 606mm (width), 721mm (height), 20mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH011920
Credit linePurchased 2006
Overview
This glamorous framed portrait of Carmen Rupe (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Heke-a-Wai, 1936‒2011) was taken when she worked in Sydney as an exotic dancer and female impersonator at some of King's Cross well-known nightclubs, such as the 'Jewel Box' and 'Les Girls' in the 1960s. The dress she is wearing was purchased from the Kings Cross women's boutique, the Purple Parrot.
Carmen was a flamboyant transgender woman, performer, business owner and anti-discrimination activist who became a cultural icon in New Zealand and Australia. She prided herself on dressing well, and enjoyed wearing glamorous gowns such as the one in this photo. Most of Carmen’s gowns were made-to-measure, and she hand-made many of her accessories.