Know Their Names: The Fashion Legacy of Kee and Jackson
Image credit: Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson with Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay, installation view, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/ Canberra, 2025
The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) has acquired over 80 works by renowned fashion icons Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee, forming one of the most comprehensive collections of their designs worldwide. This significant addition to the national collection features key garments and ensembles from Kee and Jackson’s archives, with several pieces donated generously by the artists. These works illustrate the story of two of Australia’s most celebrated and influential designers, whose bold and vibrant styles have shaped the country's fashion and cultural identity for more than four decades. This collection highlights their role in fashion history and the ongoing impact of women artists reshaping visual culture. The NGA’s recognition of Kee and Jackson’s contributions dates back to the 1985 exhibition "Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee: Flamingo Park and Bush Couture," the first major NGA show dedicated solely to women artists. Nearly 40 years later, their work continues to inspire new generations through initiatives like "Know My Name," securing their place in Australia’s cultural narrative. Kee and Jackson have always been proud of their Australian roots, elevating everyday vernacular to couture.
Image credit: DE PATCHY 1976 Inspired by Sonia Delaunay's de Patchy, Photo: Jenny Kee Personal Archive
Jackson and Kee are celebrated for their innovative use of colour, form, and pattern. Their creative partnership began in the early 1970s when Jackson started selling her designs at Kee’s iconic Flamingo Park boutique in Sydney’s Strand Arcade. Together, they created a distinctive Australian fashion style that challenged convention. Their garments, free from global fashion trends, celebrated the Australian environment and expressed a distinctly local voice that resonated well beyond the country’s borders. Their designs quickly gained recognition for their inventive silhouettes, bold prints, and unapologetic use of vibrant colours. Although their formal partnership ended in 1992 and Flamingo Park closed in 1995, both designers have continued influencing Australian culture through their individual bodies of work.
Their creations showcase a deep and enduring love for the Australian landscape, native flora and fauna, and cultural heritage. The NGA’s collection displays the breadth of their artistic output—from rare hand-painted silks to vividly patterned knitwear and garments that blend traditional techniques with a modern perspective. Key highlights of the acquisition include Kee’s renowned Art Knit Series from 1976—something this editor would give her firstborn to own!—especially the iconic ARTISTE knitwear, along with a substantial collection of Jackson’s designs from the late 1960s to the early 2000s. As Linda Jackson reflected, “Our work has always been about storytelling, nature and the spirit of Australia – expressed through fabric, form and feeling. These garments hold memories, and we are thrilled that our designs, our story and our creative partnership will be shared with visitors to the National Gallery for generations to come.” Jenny Kee echoes this sentiment, describing their creations as “love letters to Australia” and expressing joy that they will be preserved for future audiences.
Image credit: Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay, installation view, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, 2025
The acquisition includes early works inspired by artist Sonia Delaunay, whom Kee and Jackson both admired. These pieces are currently showcased in The National Gallery’s exhibition Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay, part of the larger Know My Name initiative that highlights women's contributions to Australia’s cultural history. Delaunay, a trailblazing multidisciplinary artist associated with the Orphism movement, was recognised for her vibrant colours, geometric designs, and blending of art with everyday life—qualities that resonated deeply with Kee and Jackson. Just as Delaunay’s pioneering approach challenged conventions in early 20th-century Europe, Kee and Jackson’s fashion designs introduced a bold Australian perspective—celebrating local identity while engaging with global modernist ideas. The exhibition runs until July 2026, with a planned selection change in November 2025, showcasing more from this significant acquisition and honouring their enduring legacy.
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay
National Gallery of Australia
Kamberri/Canberra
From 22 March 2025
