Australia’s biggest night in music has officially rolled out the red carpet, and the stars wasted no time turning it into their very own runway showdown.
The 2025 ARIA Awards, held in partnership with Spotify, are once again proving why they remain the ‘It Girl’ of the Aussie awards circuit with a glittering collision of chart-topping talent, international heavyweights, and fashion moments that will be debated for weeks.
But before a single trophy is handed out, the real competition is already underway outside.
While the ARIAs may technically be about music, everyone knows the public tunes in for one thing – the fashion. And this year, celebrities have delivered looks louder than the speakers inside the venue.
From worldwide red carpet regulars like Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause, to breakout talents Tkay Maidza and Baker Boy, some of the country’s biggest names did not play it safe in the style stakes.
Aussie music faves Missy Higgins, Kita Alexander and Vera Blue were among the first to hit the red carpet, as well as international guest Olivia Dean touching down to remind everyone what polished global stardom looks like.
And while Australian music royalty certainly turned up, only a select few struck the perfect chord with simple, elegant, show-stopping style. Others well, let’s just say their looks were in need of a serious remix.
They hit all the right notes
UK pop sensation Olivia Dean set the bar high as one of the first to grace the red carpet.
The Man I Need singer, 26, broke up her all-black look with a statement white rose worn on her corset, and kept her accessories to a minimum, but for a simple bracelet and matching earrings.
Fashion Critical channelled her inner early-Lady Gaga, in a show-stopping headpiece that wouldn’t have been out of place at the Met Gala.
UK pop star Olivia Dean set the tone early on the red carpet, breaking up her sleek all-black outfit with a striking white rose on her corset and minimal accessories of a simple bracelet and matching earrings
The elusive Fashion Critical stole the spotlight in a dramatic, early-Lady Gaga-inspired headpiece, pairing her all-pink look with a ruffled satin mini-dress and flowing layers of tulle for full Met Gala glamour. We loved it
The famously sharp-tongued style critic doubled down on the drama with an all-pink ensemble, slipping into a satin ruffled mini-dress and billowing layers of tulle that cascaded off her arms for maximum effect.
Former Miss Universe Olivia Molly Rogers opened the red carpet with a masterclass in maternity glamour, glowing so brightly she may as well have doubled as the ARIA’s lighting rig.
The 33-year-old mum-to-be showed off her impeccable taste in a beige ruched midi dress complete with a dramatic cape that floated behind her like she was arriving to collect her crown all over again.
Former Miss Universe Olivia Molly Rogers (left) opened the ARIAs red carpet with flawless maternity glamour, glowing in a beige ruched midi dress with a dramatic cape. While Kiwi model Emma Kate-Boyd slinked in a jewel-toned silk gown with a daring open back, topped off with a slick up-do and statement choker
Missy Higgins lit up the carpet in a Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat-inspired outfit, making kaleidoscopic colours and bold chequered prints look effortlessly cool as an Album of the Year nominee
Abbie Chatfield turned heads in a Renaissance-meets-rock-chic plaid corset gown, slashed high at the thigh and finished with dramatic lace-up details. She completed the bold, unapologetic look with sculpted curls, glowing skin and a smoky eye
Kiwi-born model Emma Kate-Boyd brought pure high-fashion energy in a liquid-silk, jewel-toned purple gown that was all about the back – or rather, the lack of it.
With her hair slicked back into a glossy, sculptural up-do and a statement choker adding a touch of old-Hollywood glamour, the look struck the perfect balance between edgy and elegant.
Missy Higgins brought a burst of colour, stepping out in a look that felt delightfully Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat inspired.
The Album of the Year nominee somehow made the kaleidoscopic palette look effortlessly cool, proving that bold prints and chequered pattern was having a moment.
Abbie Chatfield delivered one of the night’s standout fashion moments, serving Renaissance-meets-rock-chic in a corseted plaid gown slashed high at the thigh and dripping in intricate lace-up detailing.
It was bold, theatrical and absolutely unapologetic – very Abbie. She doubled down with perfectly sculpted curls, glowing skin and a smoky eye that pulled the whole look together.
Hip Hop artsist Tkay Maidza earned an A for Effort with one of the night’s most unforgettable fashion swings with an avant-garde mini dress wrapped in sculptural wicker detailing that gave the red carpet some much-needed theatre.
Hip Hop artist Tkay Maidza stole the spotlight in an avant-garde mini dress with sculptural wicker details, serving high-fashion theatre. She nailed the bold look with strappy gold heels and a fierce high pony, though sitting down might have been a challenge
Josh Kempen, Sarah Ellen (left) and Pip Edwards (right) must have shared a stylist for the night, all channeling Matrix-meets-high fashion vibes
G Flip’s wife Chrishell Stause, 44, brought an Aussie outback twist to the ARIAs in a deep-brown leather halter gown with saddle-inspired stitched panels, tousled hair and bronzed makeup for a true desert-goddess look
Hats off to Baker Boy acing the style stakes in satin blue pants and metallic, sheer shirt. We need to know where these are from!
The singer owned every inch of the eccentric look, pairing the chaotic-chic silhouette with strappy gold heels and a fierce high pony that tied the whole statement together. Although we’re not sure how she’s going to sit down in this number?
Singer-songwriter Josh Kempen, Sarah Ellen and fashion-royalty Pip Edwards must have shared a stylist for the night, all channeling Matrix-meets-high fashion vibes.
G-Flip’ stunning wife Chrishell Stause, 44, looked like she took her Aria’s style inspiration from the Aussie outback with a deep-brown, leather halter gown and intricate stitched paneling giving it saddle-inspired edge.
She styled the look with tousled, windswept hair and glowing bronzed makeup, giving the whole ensemble a sun-kissed, desert-goddess vibe.
We love when a guy goes against the norm, so hats off to Danzal Baker aka Baker Boy for acing the style stakes in satin blue pants and metallic, sheer shirt. We need to know where these are from!
Unfortunately these outfits were very off key
We’re not sure what happened between her hotel and the red carpet, but touring US country superstar Kacey Musgraves seems to be missing a bustle. Someone point her in the direct of Spotlight’s fabric aisle, stat.
Former Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins may be a national treasure, but her Victorian-inspired red carpet look missed the mark by several decades.
We’re not sure what happened between her hotel and the red carpet, but touring US country superstar Kacey Musgraves seems to be missing a bustle. Someone point her in the direct of Spotlight’s fabric aisle, stat
Former Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins is a national treasure, but her Victorian-inspired ensemble missed the mark by a century or two – the high neck, heavy detailing and stiff silhouette veering more school-play costume than ARIA glamour
Aussie electro artist Ninajirachi (left) and singer Vera Blue delivered an unexpected twinning moment with the pair arriving in near-identical gothic, tasselled gowns that looked more Halloween after-party, drowning their figures in layers of fringe and confusing silhouettes
Tyra Banks or Sandy from Grease? You decide
The heavy, high-necked silhouette, fussy detailing and stiff old-world aesthetic felt more school play costume than ARIA glamour, swallowing her figure rather than showcasing it.
Aussie electro artist Ninajirachi and singer Vera Blue delivered an unexpected twinning moment with the pair arriving in near-identical gothic, tasselled gowns that looked more like they were attending a Halloween after-party, drowning their figures in layers of fringe and confusing silhouettes.
Here come the Men in Black… oh wait, it’s just Cody Simpson and partner Emma McKeon. We know this pair is the notoriously ‘cool’ couple, but they need to try a bit harder than this.
There was no shortage of black on the carpet this year, but Tyra Banks, Evelyn Ellis and Emmy Mack took the trend straight into funeral chic, looking less ready for Australia’s biggest party and more like they were paying their respects.
Singer Kita Alexander, 29, stepped out in a floor-length, free-flowing mesh frock that offered a very leggy display through its sheer skirt.
Here come the Men in Black… oh wait, it’s just Cody Simpson and partner Emma McKeon. We know this pair is the notoriously ‘cool’ couple, but they need to try a bit harder than this
Unfortunately Evelyn Ellis (left), and Emmy Mack (left), looked like they were heading to a funeral rather than Australia’s funnest night of the year
Singer Kita Alexander, 29, floated onto the carpet in a sheer, boho mesh gown that showed plenty of leg — but the beachy, barefoot-holiday vibe left her looking more Byron Bay retreat than ARIA red carpet.
Australian artist Larissa Lambert made a dramatic entrance in sand-hued, distressed drapery and windswept styling, serving up pure post-apocalyptic warrior energy
The newest Yellow Wiggle Tsehay Hawkins (left), arrived out of uniform, with a racy cowgirl makeover which was super fun, but more suited to a rodeo than a red carpet. Australian R&B singer Pania, on the other hand, was serving full Wilma Flintstone realness in a barely-there canary dress
Rounding out the eclectic mix was Australian pop duo band Cat & Calmell who were more set on making a public statement than following any dress code
But the boho, beach-chic vibe missed the mark for music’s biggest night, leaving her looking more ready for a coastal getaway than the ARIA red carpet.
Following suit and floating into the awards was Australian artist Larissa Lambert. However it looked like she’d just wandered straight off the set of Mad Max.
The distressed, sand-hued drapery and windswept styling gave full post-apocalyptic warrior vibes.
The newest Yellow Wiggle Tsehay Hawkins, arrived out of uniform, with a racy cowgirl makeover which was super fun, but more suited to a rodeo than a red carpet.
While Australian R&B singer Pania was serving full Wilma Flintstone realness in a barely-there canary dress – yabba-dabba-don’t.
And rounding out the eclectic mix was Australian pop duo band Cat & Calmell who were more set on making a public statement than following any dress code.
