Google these names now: The 5 best dressed stars at the AACTAs
The red carpet at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards on the Gold Coast in Queensland differs from US ceremonies, such as the Golden Globes and the Grammys.
There’s less haute couture from the Paris runways, more names requiring a Google search from people who only remember the first series of Heartbreak High, and much less nudity. (Ye [Kanye West] and Bianca Censori were not invited.)
In the spirit of Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and Russell Crowe punching above our country’s modest weight as movie stars, actors at the ACCTAs made a significant style mark with a mix of international and local labels deserving of their time in the sun.
Stars at the AACTA awards: Phoebe Tonkin in Chanel; Sophie Wilde in Loewe; Alycia Debnam-Carey in Christopher Esber.Credit: Gety Images
For a few hours, the top five best dressed let Surfer’s Paradise replace Melbourne or Sydney as the answer to the persistent question: “What is Australia’s fashion capital?”
Phoebe Tonkin
Until her powerful turn in the miniseries Boy Swallows Universe, Phoebe Tonkin was more likely to be recognised for her frequent appearances in fashion magazines than her varied screen roles. Wearing a Queensland-appropriate sheer white gown from her go-to-favourite Chanel’s spring 2023 haute couture collection, it’s easy to see why. Having worn Chanel when it was designed by Karl Lagerfeld and his successor Virginie Viard, the Vampire Diaries alumni will hopefully stay on board to be dressed by incoming creative director Matthieu Blazy from Bottega Veneta.
Alycia Debnam-Carey
The Apple Cider Vinegar actor Alycia Debnam-Carey took a break from her duties as Dior’s first Australian fashion ambassador to support local designer Christopher Esber in a gently knotted sheer ‘Ripple Drape’ gown. Now a regular at Paris Fashion Week, Esber can withstand comparisons to the legendary French label.
Brodie Townsend
The Netflix series Heartbreak High has spawned a new generation of actors for stylists to dress, letting the cast of Home & Away take a well-deserved break. Ayesha Maddon, Chloe Hayden and James Majoos have drawn focus until today, when Brodie Townsend left his co-stars in the shade wearing a sleek, ultra-fitted Saint Laurent suit. Townsend has reached a new fashion level, with Saint Laurent having dressed Bruno Mars and Miley Cyrus at the Grammys.
Sophie Wilde
Babygirl and Boy Swallows Universe actor Sophie Wilde dominated the red carpet in a lace gown with pannier hips retrieved from Loewe’s spring 2020 collection. Rather than draw comparisons with Bianca Censori’s overexposure at the Grammys, Wilde added a bra to the ensemble.
Charlee Fraser
First Nations model Charlee Fraser is beginning to flex her acting muscles, delivering a broad comedy performance alongside Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You and revving engines in Furiosa. On the AACTAs red carpet in Khaite from Net-a-porter, Fraser shows that you can take the women off the Balenciaga and Gucci runway, but you can’t take away her ability to sell a garment.
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.