Queen of the Desert Julie Bishop frocks up to campaign

Former politician Julie Bishop is turning heads in a new campaign to raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer.

Julie Bishop at MRL’s Mt Marion lithium project in outback WA. Picture: Russell James

In a hard hat and a red and pink ombre tulle ball gown, Julie Bishop was for a moment at least the Queen of the Desert, strutting her stuff against the striking backdrop of a West Australian lithium mine.

The former foreign minister is turning heads in a new campaign to raise money for and awareness of ovarian cancer, donning a gown by Adelaide couture designer Jaimie Sortino.

An Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation ambassador, Ms Bishop was at the Mt Marion Lithium project in outback WA helping to launch the organisation’s annual Frocktober campaign, which aims to spark conversation about ovarian cancer by encouraging women to wear loud and creative clothing for the month of October.

Her eye-catching gown features words from those living with ovarian cancer, and those from families who have lost someone to the illness.

The campaign was conceptualised and photographed by fashion photographer Russell James, who donated his time to support the cause.

Sometimes known as a “silent killer”, it is one of the most lethal, least understood types of cancer and can often go undetected until the advanced stages.

This year, the campaign is hoping to encourage conversation around ovarian cancer and women’s health in every situation including the workplace.

With the participation of women in non-traditional roles and sectors like mining on the rise, the foundation is hoping to ­normalise dialogue about ovarian cancer, as well as use a dramatic setting to highlight the message to “get loud in the fight against the ­silent killer that is ovarian cancer”.

Julie Bishop in Mt Marion. Picture: Russell James

Ms Bishop said she felt ­extremely lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of the campaign for the second year running.

“With no early detection test, ovarian cancer is an insidious and dangerous condition,” Ms Bishop said.

“It is a great privilege to support the work of Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation in developing a test that will give women hope in fighting ovarian cancer.”

For gown designer Sortino, the cause is close to home, having lost his cousin Jenna Crierie to the disease after she experienced abnormalities at 22.

He said the Frocktober gowns were the most important dresses he had ever designed, and he was forever grateful for Ms Bishop’s support.