ARIA Awards 2011 at Allphones Arena begins with battle of the red carpet

BEFORE a trophy is delivered or opening act MC Drapht strikes a note, the 25th ARIA Awards kick off with a red carpet showdown.

Kylie Minogue

BEFORE any of those dangerously pointed trophies are delivered to the winners, before a note is struck by opening act MC Drapht, the 25th anniversary ARIA Awards was a red carpet showdown.

It was a duel of designer dresses and star power between Hall Of Fame inductee Kylie Minogue with the glamour-assist of sister Dannii, homecoming pop heiresses Delta Goodrem and Missy Higgins and current chart players Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Jessica Mauboy and Ricki Lee Coulter.

Gotye leads nominations tally with seven

Pics: Nominations for 2011 ARIA Awards

A new crop of princesses including Havana Brown and Zoe Badwi also embraced the spirit of the spotlight with their sashay in front of photo walls and camera-toting fans at Allphones Arena today.

The understated and alternative stylings of rock goddess Adalita, harmonic trio Seeker Lover Keeper and classy Clare Bowditch were an antidote to all the girly glitz.

J Mo's tips for the 2011 ARIA Awards

For the lads, if you’re not doing Movember, you’re not rock.

There was plenty of facial hair on show but also an encouraging sign that the men of Australian music are starting to shrug off their dress-down antipathy to the awards.

Suits or statements rather than jeans and T-shirts prevailed with Guy Sebastian and David Campbell among the sartorially elegant fellows mugging for the cameras.

Husband and wife Shane Nicholson and Kasey Chambers were beaming with excitement about their first big night out together since baby daughter Poet was born last month.

Missing from the red carpet was Prime Minister Julia Gillard who will induct Kylie Minogue and multi-nominee Kimbra who was dashing back from a set at the Queenscliff Music Festival.

The 25th anniversary ARIA Awards also celebrates the induction of the kings of the kids The Wiggles with nominees Gotye, Boy & Bear, The Living End and Gurrumul Yunupingu among the performers at the ceremony.

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Goodrem is expected to provide one of the night’s highlights with an emotional tribute to some of the heroes of the industry.