Briony Downes is an arts writer based in Hobart. She has worked in the arts industry for over 20 years as a writer, actor, gallery assistant, art theory tutor and fine art framer. Most recently, she spent time studying Art History through Oxford University.

Gabrielle Chanel comes to Melbourne
Trained as a milliner, Chanel rebelliously shunned the restrictive corsets and frills of the Belle Époque and Edwardian fashion in favour of garments focused on comfort, function and style. Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto at the National Gallery of Victoria marks the first time a major retrospective of the designer’s work has been seen in Australia.