Fashion at music awards shows generally oscillates somewhere between identity crisis and complete chaos – and that’s what makes them so much fun.
At Wednesday’s ARIAs, held at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, Troye Sivan flew one of the sole flags for international brands in head-to-toe Prada, while Kate Ceberano wore a skirt she had been patching together herself, with apologies to Toni Maticevski, the Australian designer who made the base layer before the Bedroom Eyes singer went to town on it (with a detour via Spotlight).
“It’s wearable art, I love being able to recycle things,” Ceberano told this masthead ahead of the red carpet. The main concern for the multiple ARIA-winner, who lives in Melbourne, was Sydney’s humidity. “It’s like a Bedouin saddle blanket.”
Ceremony host Brooke Boney tapped into fashion’s 20-year cycles to inspire her white gown by Cappellazzo Couture, finding a pretty decent muse: ARIA (and now Grammy) nominee Kylie Minogue.
Boney, entertainment reporter for the Today show (Nine is the owner of this masthead), says she researched Minogue’s 2002 Julien Macdonald gown, and sent photos to designer Sonia Cappellazzo as a starting point.
She says ARIAs fashions are a lot riskier than the Logies, which she has also attended multiple times. “People are a lot more adventurous,” she says. “They’re [musicians] all cool people anyway, so that’s really represented.”
Troye Sivan: triple threat
After walking for Miu Miu in Paris and hanging with Gigi Hadid, it made perfect sense for Troye Sivan to graduate to Prada for the ARIAs. His $3200 yellow and white shell top is giving eggs over easy in the best way, but if you like it, best hurry – it has already sold out in most sizes.
Millie Ford: little mermaid
Colourful, youthful and fun, TikTok star Millie Ford embodies what the ARIAs should be about in a pink corset by Australian brand Alemais, cream shorts and a cute orange handbag. Who says you need a ballgown on the red carpet?
Budjerah: check mate
On first glance, the Coodjinburra singer Budjerah (full name Budjerah Julum Slabb) is giving “red carpet at two, yin yoga class at four” vibes, but the hoodie under suit scenario is Burberry, with jewellery by Tiffany & Co. Note to Troye Sivan: Budjerah is coming for your closet.
Cub sport: chain gang
Top marks for the coordinating chain-mail accents across the various members of Brisbane band Cub Sport, who last month walked in (and played at) the Strateas Carlucci runway at Melbourne Fashion Week. At any other event, Tim Nelson’s Caesar-inspired crown would be dismissed as cosplay, but this is the ARIAs. Zoe Davis’ bralette is also pure rock glam.
Matty Mills: wearable art
Artist Keturah Zimran created the print for TV presenter Matty Mills’ suit for Ikuntji Artists, one of the breakout labels at this year’s Australian Fashion Week. The styling with a crisp white tee and box-fresh sneakers are a perfect choice for the laid-back, casual glam of the ARIAs.
The 2023 ARIAs will broadcast live from 5pm AEDT on Stan, and from 7.30pm on Nine.
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