Julie Bishop has criticized critics who have criticized the former deputy Liberal leader for her passion for fashion, admitting she has always enjoyed the spotlight and using it as a platform to promote Australia’s $27.5 billion apparel industry .
The former foreign minister was famously nicknamed ‘Minister of Fashion’ during her time in the front seat, where she regularly showed off her love of designer outfits, which was frowned upon by some parliamentary colleagues.
The recently single keynote speaker and chancellor of the Australian National University has continued to draw attention at red carpet events with her glamorous dress sense since she retired from politics in 2019.
Just this week on a visit to the UK, she was pictured in a show-stopping silver sequined gown, with Princess Beatrice thoroughly staged, as well as a pink leather mini dress.
It was another bold fashion statement when she spoke about the political power of clothing at the event held in Design Museum in London.
‘My critics ridiculed me by calling me the Minister of Fashion’ [but] They didn’t realize I was absolutely enjoying it and wearing it as a badge of honor,” Ms. Bishop told those in attendance.
Julie Bishop continues to make headlines with her glamorous fashion choices, and she rocked this two-tone ruffled dress to promote a fashion event in London last weekend.
The former Foreign Secretary caught the eye in a striking button-up mini dress and sparkly heels as a keynote speaker at a fashion event in London
Every time a young designer said to me, ‘Julie, if you wear one of my outfits on the world stage, I made it. Suddenly the orders come in. Suddenly people want to know me’. That was my justification.’
She revealed that some cabinet colleagues disapproved of her fashion sense and that she was once told by ‘an older man’ to ‘drop the business look’ and wear ‘more cardigans’.
The comment came when she was first appointed minister of aged care in the former government of John Howard in 2003.
Attitudes had not changed when, ten years later, in 2013 after Tony Abbott was elected Prime Minister, Ms Bishop became Australia’s first female Foreign Secretary.
“I was in a cabinet room of 20 men and I was the only woman in the Abbott cabinet in 2013,” she told the crowd.
“So if I didn’t promote Australian fashion, who would?”
London’s Design Museum promoted Ms. Bishop’s keynote speech with photos of her in a two-tone pink ruffled dress
Julie Bishop wore a silver Max Mara mini dress at the launch of Dr. Gene Sherman, where she posed with Australian A-list actress Isla Fisher and Princess Beatrice (pictured)
In 2013, Julie Bishop was the only woman on Tony Abbott’s front bench and said that if she wasn’t promoting Australian fashion, no one would.
Looking back on her time in Parliament, Ms Bishop added: ‘I don’t see the need to describe herself in that way. [as a feminist]’ and said she didn’t find the term useful.’
Mrs. Bishop offered the room a bit of wisdom.
“Don’t let others define who you are, what you should be and what you should achieve,” she said.
“There are so many people who are willing to set standards for you that they wouldn’t meet themselves. So I learned that lesson just from the fashion advice.’
In the days before, the center promoted the event with more photos of Ms. Bishop in a gorgeous two-tone ruffled dress, including one of hers standing next to a dump truck.
Ms Bishop once again stole the spotlight in London on Wednesday by donning a silver sparkly Max Mara mini dress at the launch of Dr. Gene Sherman, where she posed with Princess Beatrice, former British Prime Minister David Cameron and Australian A-list actress Isla Fisher.
She also opened up about the gender inequality challenges that first made her move from law to politics in 1998.
“I found the other norm a bit frustrating, but I knew why that happened because all the conventions and protocols and attitudes in parliament came about at a time when there were no women in parliament and it takes a long time to change people’s attitudes. change. ‘ she said 9Honey.
Julie Bishop, who was recently named the Minister of Fashion, wore the label as a badge of honor
Ms. Bishop says she became aware of the transformative power of fashion at a very young age.
When she became Foreign Secretary, she realized that fashion could not only be a major export earner, but also a sophisticated reflection of contemporary Australia.
“I’ve also used fashion a number of times as a soft power diplomacy tool,” Ms Bishop continued.
“I wore a lot of outfits that were hopefully appropriate for the occasion, but I certainly used color to represent the country I was visiting or hosting. I took the same color to show my respect’
“But there were times when my promotion of Australian fashion was the subject of criticism. I think it was due to ignorance. Some people didn’t understand the importance of the Australian fashion industry.’
Today, the fashion industry is estimated to contribute $27.5 billion to the Australian economy.
Julie Bishop sparked a debate over her choice to wear a headscarf during her 2015 visit to Iran
Julie Bishop recalls being advised by parliamentary colleagues to adopt a ‘corporate look’ when she first became a minister. She is pictured as minister for aging in 2004
Ms Bishop also shared how she refused to wear a hijab while visiting Iran for diplomatic meetings in 2015. She was Australia’s most senior official to visit Iran in 12 years.
She “threw a scarf” as a compromise after being told she would be refused a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and her Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.
The decision attracted both criticism and applause at the time.
Social media lit up as those on both sides of the argument weighed in on whether Ms Bishop was right to cover her head in accordance with local custom, while political commentators and politicians also voiced their opinions.
Julie Bishop opted for a stylish black mini dress and heels at the David Jones SS22 Wonderworld Season Launch in Sydney
During the 2019 Budget in one of her last appearances in federal parliament, Bishop was mocked online after she stole the show and made sure all eyes were on her when she threatened to beat then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
She looked like she was ready for a night out on the town for $1,299.00 sparkling dark blue sequin midi dress designed by Rachel Gilbert, dazzling earrings and painted pink nails.
The animated backbencher was photographed jumping with her hands in the air and enjoying the spotlight – just minutes before Mr. Frydenberg went to the shipping box to announce that the country’s finances were finally back in the black.
Former Secretary of State Julie Bishop made sure all eyes were on her as her party set out to deliver its 2019 budget, one of her last appearances in federal parliament
Mrs. Bishop shone in a blue sequined midi dress and looked visibly excited for Josh Frydenberg’s first budget delivery in 2019