Diva fever struts into town at Arts Centre Melbourne

What makes a diva? Pop star? Style icon? Some of the most Diva-defining pieces from Beyonce to Kylie Minogue have been collated in one place.

What makes a diva?

Pop star. Style icon. Outspoken woman. Opera singer. High-maintenance. Powerful. Divine talents. Or all of the above?

Defining and redefining the dazzling Diva is explored in all its sequined, feathered and showgirl glory at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts.

Opening from today, there are so many iconic moments to draw upon. Looks loaned from London’s Victoria & Albert museum worn by Beyonce and Amy Winehouse to Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cher and Tina Turner still turn heads.

A look at the DIVA exhibition at Arts Centre. Picture: Jason Edwards

And don’t forget Australia’s rich ‘divadom’, which draws from the AMPA’s extensive archive, with our own taking centre stage.

A life-sized cast of Kylie Minogue in her Padam Padam red glory, to Chrissy Amphlett’s schoolgirl in fishnet stockings and a piano and handwritten music song sheets from Olivia Newton John set the scene.

Known as the queen of colour, designer Rachel Burke said to be a diva is to be fully celebratory of yourself.

Designer content creator Rachel Burke models her own DIVA outfit at the exhibition. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Fully actualised, feminine identifying, beauty, every costume here is celebrating a unique spirit,” Burke said at a Herald Sun photo shoot, wearing a metallic coat and bringing her own diva energy before Wednesday’s opening night red carpet.

The DIVA exhibit opens Thursday at Arts Centre Melbourne until April 26.

Originally published as Diva fever struts into town at Arts Centre Melbourne