Penny Wong, our only openly gay female cabinet minister ever, supports her party's position that gay marriage is wrong.
We disagree. So while she and the rest of the federal government are denying us the opportunity to see her and partner Sophie Allouache frock up for their big day, we've mocked up some sweet outfits for the Wongster to wear to the fantasy nuptials of our dreams.
Having a same-same wedding means unparalelled opportunities for frockiness. There's no tradition, no precedent, so you two can wear what the hell you want.
Do you like colour, Penny? Wear as much of it as you like! And flat shoes? They're fine too. Sophie like tiaras? Yes! Bedazzle your guests with accessories.
L-R: Tiara net-a-porter.com, Roksana Ilincic dress Browns boutique, Stella McCartney flats theoutnet.com, Erdem dress Mytheresa.com, Cavalli necklace theoutnet.com, Carvella sandals asos.com
Perhaps Penny is a touch more traditional and would prefer a white wedding? You cannot go past a YSL smoking tuxedo, with edgy accessories like the mine bracelet. The little white dress is so now, and can be jazzed up with vintage accessories and new season wedges.
L-R: Preen dress net-a-porter.com, Dannijo earrings and brooch theoutnet.com, Lee Angel bracelet theoutnet.com, Jeffrey Campbell wedges nastygal.com, YSL smoking net-a-porter.com, Rib necklace notjustalabel.com, Mine bracelet theoutnet.com, Melissa wedges melissa.com.au.
For sense of unified style, choose pieces from the same designer. I've kept it relatively cheap with a frock, shorts and jacket from Camilla & Marc, because really, Penny is spending tax payer money on this event. Camilla & Marc do some very nice drapey jackets and mini dresses. Blush is very big this spring, and gold says "ocassion" like nothign else. a shoeboot is a great alternative to a traditional heel for any wedding, and it's a shoe you'll wear again.
L-R: Camilla & Marc dress mycatwalk.com, accessories theoutnet.com, shoes Kurt Geiger asos.com, Leather draped blazer and shorts mycatwalk.com, accessories theoutnet.com, booties acnestudio.com
We've already been over
the intrinsic sadness and inhumanity of not allowing gay marriage. But on top of the human rights issue, what about the damage this does to the Australian fashion industry, which as it happens is a huge employer of gays?
We are missing out on multitudes of frock sales because the federal government won't say yes to equal marriage. Dinnigan could employ more beaders, Hardwick could sell more tiaras and the cupcake industry could double.
It's a frocking travesty and we should unite to fight against it.
If I were a political strategist and not a fashion editor, I might suggest that you, federal Labor, are heading for an election loss. So rather than go down as the party that employs backstabbers as deputies why not go down as the party that did all it could for marriage equality and do the fashion industry a favour while you're at it?