A Night of Fashion and Vivienne Westwood Rebellion: The NGV Gala Shines Bright in Melbourne
Last night, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) transformed into a dazzling hub of fashion and art for the highly anticipated gala celebrating the world premiere exhibition, ‘Vivienne Westwood | Kawakubo’. With over 1,000 guests in attendance, the event was nothing short of a spectacular showcase of creativity, elegance, and the spirit of self-expression.
Co-chaired for the first time by Australian music icon Troye Sivan, the evening radiated excitement and glamour. Arriving in a very cool chic outfit by Prada, Troye exuded a sense of joy and authenticity, sharing his philosophy on life: “I’m all about being who you want to be within yourself, work out if you want to and if you don’t want too, then don’t.” This sentiment resonated throughout the crowd, many of whom came dressed to impress, channelling the bold and rebellious spirit that Vivienne Westwood is renowned for.
Among the star-studded line-up of attendees were Ronan and Storm Keating. Ronan, who recently swapped the sunny climes of Sydney for Melbourne’s cool drizzle, remarked, “Yes, it’s unfortunate about the weather, but nothing could keep us away from one of the country’s most celebrated cultural nights.
This is the first time we’ve been at this event; we are friends of the brand Mercedes; we’ve worked with them all over the world. To come together tonight and celebrate Mercedes and Fashion is exciting for both of us. Storm also added, “I’m excited to see Sarah Jessica Parker’s wedding gown from Sex and the city, it’s part of the exhibition tonight.”
The rain may have been falling, but the spirits were soaring as guests celebrated fashion and art in style.
Chyka Keebaugh turned heads in a stunning pastel tartan ensemble that perfectly captured the evening’s whimsical essence, while mum-to-be Olivia Molly Rogers was breathtakingly elegant in a soft pastel gown adorned with a stunning back bow detail.
The night also welcomed notable figures such as actor Joel Edgerton and Vogue Australia’s Editor in Chief Christine Centenera, as well as Lady Gaga’s designer Samuel Lewis, rapper Baker Boy, and Alex Pike and Susie Porter. Each guest brought their unique flair to the event, creating a vibrant tapestry of style and artistic expression.
Samuel Lewis was striking in his own label and said, “I dressed to fit tonight’s brief, I’m always very inspired by history.”
The guest list read like a who’s who of style rebels, all coming together to honour the late Vivienne Westwood, the queen of tartan and plaid. These fabrics, once the fabric of tradition, were reimagined by Westwood as the ultimate symbols of punk defiance. Enter Anastasia Kogan, who took the evening’s dress code to new heights in a jaw dropping custom J’Aton Couture piece that screamed “rebellion” louder than a mohawk at a tea party. With her ensemble, Kogan didn’t just raise the bar; she catapulted it into a whole new stratosphere, proving that when it comes to honouring fashion legends, there’s no room for half-measures. After all, why blend in when you can stand out like a tartan flag in a sea of monochrome?
Anastasia said, “ the word SEX on my leg is in reference to Vivienne Westwood’s sex boutique, which she had early in her career and the usual ‘up yours’ that she does to the establishment. I mean she went to receive her Dame award from the Queen and wore no underwear. We always say what’s aloud when it comes to fashion and how can we ruffle some feathers. (with a giggle.)”
This year’s exhibition is simply captivating, an exploration of two of fashion’s most influential pioneers. As the evening unfolded, it became clear that the spirit of Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo was alive and well, inspiring guests to embrace their individuality and creativity.
By Melinda Sullivan
NGV GALA IMAGE GALLERY BY TOBY SULLIVAN @justpose_
