Kylie Minogue: 5 Decades, 1 style icon:
It’s been almost five decades since Kylie Minogue first burst onto our screens in 1986 as Charlene Robinson in Australia’s leading soap “Neighbours”. Since then not only has she become a world-famous singer/ songwriter, but she swapped her dungarees for gold lamé micro shorts, vogue covers and became besties with world-famous fashion designers and stylists, making her one of today's biggest style icons.
In celebration of almost 50 years of elegance and style, and her recent “An Audience With…”, we’re looking back on some iconic styles. Think Dolce&Gabbana, sequins, and hot pants, the popstar set the standards for Y2K fashion, and wow did she set them high.
The 80’s:
Kylie’s character Charlene Robinson (Mitchell) was a feisty student mechanic in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough, Melbourne, and was often seen in khaki overalls paired with a light blue jumper. The dungarees became so popular that they were included in Kylie’s fashion exhibition that was held at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
In an interview with Vogue, Kylie said: “I used to love the days when my Neighbours character Charlene was scripted to wear overalls.”
She said how they “ would film the outdoor scenes the week before the matching studio shots for any particular episode. When we were outside, I could sneak a pair of track-pants underneath to stay warm, and then ditch them for the indoor scenes. Comfort level, max.”
Mick Hutson/ Redferns
In 1989, Kylie attended the premiere of her debut film “The Delinquents” with then-boyfriend Michael Hutchence. The film was set in a small Australian town in the 1950s and followed a young couple having a forbidden love affair.
To the premier, Kylie wore a sequinned noughts and crosses mini dress, a piece by Australian designer label Morrissey Edmiston. The Neighbours star was modelling a short chic hairstyle and accessorised with chunky silver earrings.
The 90’s:
Mick Hutson/ Redferns
The 90s started with Kylie’s fourth tour “Let’s Get To It” in 1991, extending to England, Ireland, and Scotland. For the concerts, all of Kylie’s outfits were designed by John Galliano. One of the looks, defined as riské by the media, saw Kylie in a clear PVC trench coat over fishnet tights and hot shorts with a metallic blue ruffled trim, finished off with a white satin bra.
Her look was completely different for this new era, many were used to seeing Kylie as Charlene, so the skin exposure and sexy aura brought a whole new element to Kylie’s identity and influence.
The Noughties:
Yahoo Life
There’s definitely one iconic look that should be put in the noughties category, and I’m sure you can guess what it is. On the 19th of June 2000, Kylie released her leading single “Spinning Around”. The video saw Kylie dancing in gold lamé micro shorts that the press claimed, “Stole the turn of the millennium” (CNN News).
The hot pants were originally bought for 50p by British photographer Katerna Jebb at a flea market, they then were chosen for Minogue by her stylist at the time, William Baker. Even now, 23 years on, this is a look Kylie continues to be associated with.
During 2007, Kylie attended Dolce&Gabbana’s party at the Cannes Film Festival in a dress by the designers themselves. The garment was made from a nude mesh with the illusion of a silver sequin dress created on the front. The whole attire screamed class and glamour.
2010s:
PA Photos
Kylie carried her love for Dolce&Gabbana into the tens when she attended the Brit Awards in an elegant black dress by the Italian design house. This garment was quite different to the one she wore to the Cannes Film Festival party. The popstar posed in a black dress detailed with mesh and lace, and a square neckline with visible straps.
The 2010s was an era for Dolce&Gabbana as Kylie modelled yet another one of their looks when she was on the cover of Spanish Vogue in July 2018. She was clothed in a slightly more casual outfit consisting of jeans with detailed pockets and a black, vest-style top bejewelled with reflective blue gems that complimented the colour of the denim. Photographer Boo George snapped the cover and Phoebe Arnold was in charge of styling.
2020s:
Matt Crossick ITV
Recently Kylie did “An Audience with…” where we saw glitz, sequins, and several different outfit changes. One of the best was her black gown with gold detailing and an asymmetric silhouette. The dress had only one sleeve and a the skirt was shorter on one side. It was the perfect mix of sexy and sophisticated, with just the right amount of skin on show.
Jonathon Hordle ITV
As always, her outfits kept with the trends as we also saw her in this season's colour. Red. The dress was glittery and flowed down from her shoulders to the floor. A slit fell down the sides of the dress, separating at the waist with a knot to keep the look together.
It would be impossible to include all of Kylie Minogue’s iconic fashion moments from the past five decades, this was just a small look into them. The popstar has inspired many fashion lovers worldwide and her timeless style is sure to be around for a while.