Australian music royalty in fluorescent tutus and dresses embellished with insects have blazed a trail of fashion failure at the 2020 ARIA Awards – but a select few hit all the right notes.
Celebrities did their best to pose up a storm for a ceremony like no other broadcast live from Sydney’s Star Casino, with no red carpet or physical audience as COVID-19 restrictions continue to disrupt the normal structure of major events.
But vocal sensations fell flat, with Jessica Mauboy getting it wrong in a bizarre leopard print frock with drooping butterflies hanging from every inch, and Amy Shark looking edgy but inappropriate for the biggest night in the Australian music calendar in a velvet mini-dress and chunky biker boots.
Singer songwriter Montaigne – born Jessica Alyssa Cerro – lived up to her quirky sartorial reputation but almost took eyes out in hot pink opera gloves and a canary yellow two-piece with tiered tulle frills, reminiscent of a wedding cake.
Singer songwriter Montaigne – born Jessica Alyssa Cerro – lived up to her quirky sartorial reputation, but almost took eyes out in hot pink opera gloves and a fluorescent yellow two-piece with tiered tulle frills reminiscent of a wedding cake (and matching eye makeup)
Singing sensations Amy Shark (left) and Jessica Mauboy (right) failed to hit the high notes for very different reasons
Even catwalk queens got it wrong at a soiree where guests can afford to experiment with fanciful fabrics and hair-raising hemlines, with Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin suffering a rare wardrobe malfunction in a stunning strapless jumpsuit that struggled to contain her assets.
It was a pity for the 28-year-old model whose ensemble was picture perfect besides the tailoring of the bodice.
Comedian Joel Creasey seemed to have drawn inspiration from Joe Exotic, the star of Netflix smash hit Tiger King, in an emerald green suit slashed with black tiger stripes and glittering charcoal cowboy boots.
Wiggles star Emma Watkins paid homage to Riverdance, mimicking the costumes of the iconic Irish entertainment show in an off-the-shoulder midi-dress, chunky T-bar heels and a gold thorn crown fixed over her red, ringleted hair.
Elsewhere jazz singer Kate Ceberano opted for enormous platform heels and a plain black dress that shrouded her figure in a tent of fabric – but her gently waved hair and warm, smokey eye makeup were a winner.
Up and coming artist Mia Rodriguez looked appropriate for her 18 years in a simple skirt and top combination – but the chunky boots, garish diamond necklace and matching Chanel handbag and earrings were slight overkill.
Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin suffered a rare wardrobe malfunction in a stunning strapless jumpsuit that struggled to contain her assets
Comedian Joel Creasey (left) seemed to have drawn inspiration from Joe Exotic, the star of Netflix hit Tiger King in this emerald green suit slashed with black tiger stripes; but it was a pity about Tegan Martin’s ensemble (right), where everything was perfect besides the tailoring of the bodice
Jazz singer Kate Ceberano (left) opted for enormous platform heels and a black dress that shrouded her figure in a tent of fabric, while up and coming artist Mia Rodriguez (right) looked appropriate for her 18 years in a simple skirt and top combination – but the chunky boots, garish diamond necklace and matching Chanel handbag and earrings were slight overkill
Wiggles star Emma Watkins paid homage to Riverdance, mimicking the costumes of the iconic Irish spectacle in this off-the-shoulder midi-dress, chunky T-bar heels and a gold thorn crown fixed over her red, ringleted hair
But not everyone committed such flagrant sartorial sins.
Awards show host Delta Goodrem looked like a modern warrior princess in a chain mail inspired sequin gown and striking silver stilettos.
Delta recently announced she was ‘beyond honoured’ to be hosting the 34th ARIA Awards, bringing music and entertainment to millions of Australians who have faced hardship and distress since the pandemic began more than eight months ago.
TV presenter Sophie Monk looked white hot in a simple white mini-dress with a draped cape sleeve and trendy perspex heels embellished with a silver star across the toe.
Awards show host Delta Goodrem looks like a modern warrior princess in this chain mail inspired sequin gown and striking silver stilettos
TV presenter Sophie Monk looked white hot in a simple white mini-dress with a draped cape sleeve and trendy perspex heels embellished with a silver star across the toe
ARIAs veteran Christine Anu, who has been nominated for a staggering 17 awards over the course of her music career, nailed the playful theme of the evening in this houndstooth trouser suit and white sneakers
Her choice of sleek straight hair and soft nude makeup perfectly complemented the minimalist look.
ARIAs veteran Christine Anu, who has been nominated for a staggering 17 awards over the course of her music career, nailed the playful theme of the evening in a houndstooth trouser suit and white sneakers.
The ‘My Island Home’ singer added a pop of colour with burgundy lipstick while pulling off a tricky plaited hairstyle with effortless flair.