Catherine Martin AC, one of the most acclaimed designers in film history, has been awarded a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) in recognition of her extraordinary and enduring contribution to the Australian and international film industry as a designer and producer. 
 
Martin was honoured during a ceremony on Thursday, October 9, presided over by Pro-Chancellor Stephen Garton.  

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott said Martin’s work has transformed the way stories are told on screen.

"Catherine Martin is a creative force whose artistry has redefined the look and feel of modern cinema," Professor Scott said.

"Her vision has inspired audiences around the world and elevated Australian design to the global stage."

Martin’s career spans more than three decades and includes some of the most iconic films of our time.

Her work with director Baz Luhrmann, her husband and chief collaborator, have produced bold reinterpretations of classic works, from Romeo + Juliet to Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby and Elvis.

Her meticulous approach to costume, set and production design has earned her four Academy Awards, six BAFTAs and a Tony Award, making her the most awarded Australian in Oscar history.

Born in Lindfield, Sydney, Martin’s fascination with costume and design began in childhood when she first discovered vintage clothing and was entranced by costumes on display in museum exhibitions.

She attended North Sydney Girls High School and worked as an usherette at the family-owned cinema, Roseville Theatre while still a student. At 15, she started creating her own dress patterns inspired by classic films such as The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind.

She studied visual arts at Sydney College of the Arts, pattern cutting at East Sydney Technical College and graduated with a Diploma in Design from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1988. It was at NIDA that she met Baz Luhrmann, beginning a lifelong creative partnership.

Martin’s early work included designing sets and costumes for theatre and opera productions such as Lake Lost (Opera Australia, 1988) and Diary of a Madman (Belvoir, 1989).

Their breakthrough came with Strictly Ballroom in 1992, which won Martin two Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design as well as corresponding BAFTA's. 

Her artistry has mesmerised audiences and critics alike.

As designer and co-producer of Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996), she was nominated for her first Oscar for Best Art Direction for her youthful and energetic approach to the Shakespearean classic – including the unforgettable scene where the two young lovers first meet looking through a fishtank. 
 
In 2001, her dazzling work on Moulin Rouge! earned her two Oscars for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design with Angus Straithie, with their costumes being described as a glorious mix of historical detail and fictional extravagance.

Martin and Strathie worked together again on Luhrmann’s Broadway adaptation of La Boheme, earning her a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical in 2003. 

She went on to design and co-produce Australia, The Great Gatsby and Elvis, all of which showcased her ability to combine visual opulence with emotional storytelling.