From the folkloric tsarouchia with their distinctive pompom toes to the “fully sick” Adidas tracksuits of suburban youth, or sharp-cut suits, the way Mediterranean migrants and their descendants dress has long told a story about identity, belonging, and self-expression in Australia.
Dr Andonis Piperoglou, the inaugural Hellenic Senior Lecturer of Global Diasporas at the University of Melbourne, will explore these fashion narratives in his upcoming talk, Dressing Mediterranean Diasporas: from pompom shoes to “fully sick” wog wear.
The seminar, part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars series, takes place on Thursday, August 21, at the Greek Centre in Melbourne. According to Dr Piperoglou, clothing has been far more than a matter of style for Mediterranean migrants.
“From folkloric dress such as the Greek tsarouchia, or Cypriot vraka, to the fine craftsmanship of migrant tailors and the brand-conscious streetwear of younger generations, fashion has been a technology of diasporic selfhood,” he said.
The presentation will chart how these styles have shifted alongside attitudes towards migration and multiculturalism, tracing a path from tradition to adaptation and reinvention.
For post-war migrants, tailored suits often symbolised aspiration and respectability, while for younger generations, labels like Kappa and Adidas became emblems of cultural pride and urban edge.
By delving into the material culture and memories of dress, Dr Piperoglou hopes to spark discussion on what a fashion-focused history of Australia’s Mediterranean communities might reveal about social relations, cultural codes, and shifting identities.
A noted historian of migration and ethnic history, Dr Piperoglou has written extensively on Greek migration to Australia, as well as the connections between colonialism, racism, and human movement between the Mediterranean and the Pacific. He currently serves as Vice President of the International Australian Studies Association.
When: Thursday 21 August 2025, 7pm
Where: The Greek Centre (Mezzanine), 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
