Pivoting in Style: A Night of Design Brilliance at the NGV
The first event of the season for the NGVWA set an engaging tone for the year ahead, bringing together some of Australia’s most respected interior designers for An Evening with Adelaide Bragg, Paul Hecker, Alexandra Brownlow and David Hicks, held at NGV International on Wednesday night.
The evening required a quick pivot after the originally billed presentation with Cordelia de Castellane, Artistic Director of Dior Maison, was unable to appear. In her place, a thoughtful and locally focused panel discussion emerged—moderated by Tanya Buchanan, Editor-in-Chief of Belle Magazine and Country Style—that highlighted the depth and diversity of Australian design talent.
The evening kicked off with an exploration of the design process by special guest, celebrated Los Angeles-based designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. With trademark charm, he walked the audience through some of his highly customised projects for high-profile clients including Elton John, Cher and Kylie Jenner, illustrating how bold storytelling and individuality can shape interiors at the most extravagant level.
Buchanan followed on from the conversation with a confident observation about the local industry: “We punch above our weight in Australia,” she noted and further echoed Bullard’s observation that interior design sustains far more than beautiful homes. “We support a whole ecosystem of creatives from fabric makers to craftsmen through design.”
The panel featured Adelaide Bragg, Paul Hecker, Alexandra Brownlow and David Hicks, each reflecting on the personal paths that led them into the profession.
Bragg spoke candidly about “falling into” design, recalling her upbringing in the Australian landscape and how its colours continue to resonate in her work today. Her approach to interiors is rooted in longevity. Creating spaces that people still admire decades later, she said, is the ultimate compliment. Bragg also emphasised the importance of supporting women in the industry, noting that successful design businesses can be built on kindness and generosity.
For Hecker, co-founder of Hecker Guthrie, inspiration began early. As a self-described “child of the ’60s,” he spent hours poring over Time-Life books and encyclopedias, absorbing images of architecture and interiors that sparked his eventual career in design.
Brownlow shared that design was practically embedded in her DNA. Her mother worked first as a fashion designer before transitioning into interiors, meaning she grew up surrounded by fabric, form and creative conversation.
Across the panel, a recurring theme was design legacy—the idea that meaningful interiors are built from the accumulation of life, memory and objects that endure. Repurposing treasured pieces and creating a sense of permanence were central values shared by the designers.
When the conversation turned to dream projects, the panelists’ ambitions ranged widely—from designing a ranch property to transforming a Catholic church, inspired by the sensory power of ecclesiastical architecture where every detail is crafted to make visitors feel something profound. Other aspirations included restoring an Irish Georgian house and contributing to better tourism offerings through quietly luxurious boutique hotels focused on wellness and thoughtful design.
The evening concluded with some warm closing remarks from Kallie Blauhorn, President of the NGVWA, before the audience – all avid supporters of the arts, moved into the adjoining space to continue the conversation over champagne and canapés.
Despite the last-minute program change, the event proved both insightful and inspiring—an evening that celebrated the creativity, generosity and global relevance of Australian design. Once again, the NGV proved its ability to bring world class events to the local community.
The NGVWA is a group of volunteers who fundraise through events to support the NGV Collection.
For more information about NGVWA and upcoming events, visit NGVWA
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