Mademoiselle picnic dress - costume

Helen Morse’s Mademoiselle Dianne de Poitiers, the French and Dancing mistress at Appleyard College, is a model of grace and elegance. She wears a high-throated Edwardian gown of cream silk, with a modest train. The bodice is decorated with a confection of lace, and the dress is perfectly matched at the picnic with parasol, straw boater and shoes.

Judith Dorsman was the chief costume designer for Picnic at Hanging Rock. She was only 26 years old at the time the film was released and collaborated with Wendy Stiles (director Peter Weir’s wife, working under her maiden name) with assistance from Mandy Smith. 

Helen Morse was nominated for Best Actress at the 1976 AFI Awards for her leading roles in Picnic at Hanging Rock and also Caddie, and won the award for the latter role. 

Click 'View More' below to see a 360-degree view of the costume.

Notes by Jenny Gall and Stephen Groenewegen