BISHOP SHOWS HOW TO ROCK A FROCK

FROM the White House to the Kremlin, Julie Bishop has always used fashion as a political statement.

Now the former foreign minister turned lobbyist is frocking up for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation campaign, Frocktober.

Ms Bishop, 65, modelled for Victoria’s Secret photographer Russell James at Mt Marion lithium mine in Western Australia.

“He is a brilliant photographer, his eye catches what others don’t see,” Ms Bishop said.

“This included telling me to run up the top of the lithium mine in a ball gown and pink safety boots.”

The custom ombre tulle gown had words “empathy” and “courage” embroidered into the fabric.

Ms Bishop said designer Jaimie Sortino crafted the dress with his cousin Jenna, who died from ovarian cancer, front of mind.

“Jaimie had Jenna’s name embroidered into the dress,” Ms Bishop said.

“(Jenna was) a beautiful young Adelaide girl who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her early 20s and was experiencing this cancer all through her 20s. Jenna died last year. It reminds us that this cancer can strike any woman at any age.”

The 65-year-old former foreign minister has previously made conscious – and sartorial – statements through her fashion choices.

Dubbed the “Minister for Fashion”, Bishop always wore red, the colour of good luck and a symbol of strength, when she met Chinese dignitaries.

She wore a famous brooch, later stolen and not recovered, when meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

“It was one of the universe of planets circulating in the hope they don’t collide. That was the message for Putin. Planets should align and not collide,” she said.