Like Rose Byrne’s Golden Globes acceptance speech for best actress, the red carpet for the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards is a breath of fresh air in the crowded awards season.
Against the gawdy glamour of the Globes, the parade of piercings at the Grammy Awards and the elegance of the upcoming Oscars, the AACTAs – Australia’s preeminent entertainment awards – are slightly more relaxed.
Australia’s leading acting talent delivered more aesthetic ease than their Hollywood counterparts in a showcase of local design on the Gold Coast. Here are the best examples of unfiltered Australian style.
Sarah Snook in Christopher Esber
Succession star Sarah Snook is receiving the Trailerblazer Award at the 2026 AACTAs and was suitably smouldering on the red carpet in a contemporary take on the classic tuxedo look from Australian designer Christopher Esber. The unlikely combination of a single shawl collar and swooping trim on the other side, with a deep navy cummerbund, gave shades of Julie Andrews in the 1982 musical, Victor Victoria.
Snook has found her signature style, wearing a black suit from Parisian label Akris to pick up her Critics’ Choice Award last month.
Yerin Ha in Zimmermann
It’s fitting that Yerin Ha, a Korean-Australian NIDA grad from Sydney, has chosen Australian luxury label Zimmermann for her turn down the red carpet.
The homegrown brand is a favourite of royalty such as Queen Mary of Denmark; Catherine, Princess of Wales; Princess Beatrice; and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. It’s perfect for the actor who has landed in the aristocratic environment of the Netflix series, Bridgerton, as Sophie Baek.
Ha wore the Zimmermann Alchemy Billow dress in a custom regal purple.
Phoebe Tonkin in Christopher Esber
Last year’s best actress winner for her role in Boy Swallows Universe, Phoebe Tonkin made sure to stand out in this year’s crowded favourite Australian actress category, where she is nominated alongside Margot Robbie, Sarah Snook, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson and Rose Byrne. No pressure.
Her custom creation from Christopher Esber, currently preparing for Paris Fashion Week, featured ruching on the dusty royal blue dress and a graphic black trim, combining the ease of the beach with the black tie dress code.
Kat Stewart in Maticevski
Black Snow and The Offspring actor Kat Stewart rarely puts a foot wrong on stage, screen and the red carpet.
Stewart’s halter-neck gown from Melbourne designer Toni Maticevski with a dynamic ruffle and train manages to look understated while ticking every trend box.
Mekonnen Knife in Emporio Armani
The sultry Gold Coast is an unusual place to debut a piece from Emporio Armani’s recent winter collection, but 19-year-old Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires actor kept his cool in a chocolate brown wool tuxedo with a shawl lapel and wide leg trouser.
The Ethopian-born, Queensland-raised singer and dancer is nominated for the breakthrough artist award alongside Milly Alcock, Felix Mallard, Samara Weaving, Maia Mitchell, Josh Heuston, Odessa Young and Joseph Zada.
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