Creative Aussie mum is recreating Daniel Johns’ iconic fashion moments for superfan daughter
“Next level – I love it!”
NSW Illawarra mum, Amanda Oddy is long time fan of one of Australia’s most talented creatives, Daniel Johns. When it became apparent that her superfandom had passed on down the line to 8yo daughter Amelie, Amanda hit the sewing machine and began creating some of the music icon’s most celebrated fashion moments and the result is spectacular!
The 41yo mum-of-two is founder of Aussie handmade children’s label, Lullaby Riot. Amanda’s respect for Daniel Johns even apparent in the brand name, which took its inspiration from the 1999 Silverchair album, Neon Ballroom.
“I loved the juxtaposition of the two opposing words,” explained Amanda.
A clever creative herself, Amanda has been sewing since she was first gifted a sewing machine for Christmas at around 12 years of age, a stepping stone to the kids’ fashion line she would later establish.
“After Amelie was born in 2015, I made her a few bibs and my friends said I should sell them. So I did. In just a few weeks my bibs were stocked in my first store. From there it grew into a clothing line specialising in matching family outfits that I sold online and in store. In 2021, I sadly had to close my business due to chronic health issues, but I still sew just for fun now.”
And fun is the word! Amanda and Amelie are taking their shared adoration of Daniel Johns to new levels by recreating the star’s most iconic looks, and it started with a music video on Aussie music program Rage.
“I’ve been a Silverchair fan since 1994 when I first saw Tomorrow on Rage. They’ve now been my favourite band for the past 29 years. I also think Dan’s solo work after Silverchair is amazing,” Amanda tells Bounty Parents. “I’ve seen him play live around 14 times and I’ve been lucky enough to meet him a few times. He has the kindest, sweetest soul.”
8yo Amelie is also a huge fan. “She was brought up on Dan’s music. Musically she only knows of Daniel Johns, Freddie Mercury and Taylor Swift,” shares Amanda. “She’s very musical herself and plays piano, so I’m glad she has such amazing musical influences to look up to.”
“I’ve listened to Daniel’s solo album FutureNever non stop for the past year, and I’m happy that we can enjoy it together without her telling me to turn it off!’
Recreating Daniel Johns’ iconic fashion moments was a no-brainer
Daniel Johns is critically acclaimed as one of Australia’s most talented creatives. His music, art and fashion choices are iconic.
“Dan’s never been afraid of pushing the boundaries in fashion and I love that,” says Amanda. “The more extra, the better! I was always obsessed with the mirrorball suit he wore to Homebake in 1999 and the sequin jacket from Rock in Rio in 2001. If it’s sparkly and shiny, I’m here for it!”
Amanda took the whole family to check out the ’23 Daniel Johns immersive exhibit, Past, Present and FutureNever held in Melbourne, and it was there that a request from Amelie that got the whole ball rolling on the recreations.
“Amelie fell in love with his pastel rainbow faux fur coat that was on display. She told me she just had to have one the same, so I got to work. I can never just stop at one, so I then challenged myself to make the classical look from the Across the Night video. Then Dan posted a photo of himself in an over the top outfit that he wore to the Laneway Festival in 2019 and I knew I had to make it too!”
Amelie adores the fur jacket and “wears it everywhere!”
Daniel Johns is loving the recreations!
Alongside some other Daniel Johns fans, Amanda runs a couple of social fan pages, @scoundrelsociety and @scoundrelsisters. It is on those pages that Amanda’s recreations caught the star’s attention.
“He follows and he’s seen and shared them all. He’s always very encouraging!” says Amanda.
Stylist and original creator, Joshua Heath has also chimed in his appreciation of the “blast from the past”.
“When I recreated the very eccentric Laneway Festival outfit, the designer of the outfit actually shared it and left me a lovely comment. That was mind blowing,” exclaims Amanda.
So, what’s next?
While more Daniel Johns can be expected, Amanda also has exciting news for Swifties!
“I have a couple more Daniel outfits in mind,” the clever mum reveals. “I’ve also just completed 8 Taylor Swift outfits from her different eras, so I’m excited to share those soon on my new sewing Instagram page @lullaby_riot.”
We can’t wait!
