Move over, Troye Sivan: The best dressed at this year’s ARIAs
Last year’s ARIA Awards failed to chart as a fashion hit, so it’s difficult to understand why this year’s red carpet looked like an encore that no one requested.
In an era when fans light up social media with their concert outfits for Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and even Coldplay, most musicians lack the same enthusiasm for playing dress-ups.
Apart from some exceptions, it could have been a school formal, with male artists mostly keeping it basic and boxy in black or brown, while female performers leant in to satin, tulle and crafty forms of self-expression.
When two of the best outfits for an edgy music event come from conservative stalwarts Ralph Lauren and Carla Zampatti, it’s time for musicians to take a second look in the mirror before getting into an UberXL and heading to Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.
For a brief moment, it looked like Troye Sivan might have found a look to set pulses racing as fast as his music with a cropped chain-mail top, but it was US singer Daniel Seavey delivering a costume cover version. Sivan played it safe in a corporate Prada suited to a work experience student with deep pockets.
Here are the artists who managed to deliver fresh looks that weren’t as familiar as Amy Shark’s top knot.
Barkaa in Sheri McCoy and Ikuntji Artists
A review of Malyangapa and Barkindji rapper Barkaa’s recent Sydney show described her as “ferocious, foul-mouthed and funny”. Fashionable can now be added to the alliteration. Barkaa brought contemporary attitude to the Papa Tjukurrpa (Dog Dreaming) print by artist Pam Brown from Ikuntji Artists. The fit of the mini-dress is best described as “just”, but it stood out from the poor man’s prom gowns.
Barkaa, Ava Max, Fanny Lumsden and Sarah Ellen at the 2024 Aria Awards.Credit: Getty Images
Ava Max in Ralph Lauren
The full afternoon Sydney sun was the enemy of everyone on the red carpet, but US singer Ava Max offered reflected glory in a slinky metallic gold dress from Ralph Lauren. The wet look was the perfect choice for masking potential perspiration. The result was a pink-free antidote to Max’s hit Not Your Barbie Girl.
Fanny Lumsden in Carla Zampatti
Carla Zampatti is about as country as Sydney’s Centrepoint Tower, but singer and ARIA-winner Fanny Lumsden added cool to the enduring Australian label with her own bridle belt. Cowboy boots and Dinosaur Designs gave the dress more welcome twang.
Sarah Ellen in Alix Higgins
Former Neighbours actor, model and internet personality Sarah Ellen is slowly transitioning into the music scene, but already looks like a star. An ARIA was out of Sarah Ellen’s reach (she only started performing in the band Paloma in August), but her printed dress from Sydney designer Alix Higgins deserved its own award. Higgins is finding a niche with performing artists: Katy Perry wore his work while visiting Australia for the AFL grand final.
The 2024 ARIAs will be broadcast live from 5pm AEDT on Stan, and from 8.30pm on Nine.
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.