Fantasy and fabulosity: Eurovision fashion moments

From feathers to falsetto and yodelling to velveteen blazers, everything has a home at Eurovision. 

But, we’re here to convince you not to dismiss Eurovision as pure frivolity when it comes to fashion. Indeed, it has been the arena for artists to convey aspects of their national identity and to champion designers and artisans from their homeland on a global stage.

In 2014, dressed in a contemporary version of folk costume, Poland’s Donatan and Cleo channelled a pre-Ariana Grande pop look that seemed predestined to influence the outlandish sexy-meets-cartoon cute looks of the 1990s. Beribboned hair, a flounced, patterned skater-skirt with heavy belt, and military-style boots laced up with sweetheart red ribbons said “Don’t mess with me”, but also “because I’m fierce, but I’m also really cute and it took me hours to make it happen”.

While neither Donatan nor Cleo blazed their way through the charts after “My Slowianie”,  fashion has been a definitive element of many acts that stretched their careers well beyond the Eurovision stage. Sweden’s ABBA was, for many, the epitome of the 1970s disco scene. Their skin-tight bodices, flared trousers, velvet vests, bejewelled caps and romantic, ruffled shirts spoke to a decadence and dazzle that seduced viewers then and now.

Because if you haven’t noticed, flares, velvet, crochet, cropped tank tops, big hair and low-cut, hipbone-baring pants are back. Their 1974 performance “Waterloo” established Björn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid as both cultural, musical icons but also, undeniably, fashion trendsetters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3yh_VbBQM8

Another unforgettable contestant is absolutely Conchita Wurst. Famed couturier Jean Paul Gaultier certainly appeared to take heed of the resplendent costume in which Wurst delivered the powerful track “Rise Like A Phoenix” to in 2014. The gold brocade dress fit like an hourglass, flaring out to a mermaid-style tail from knees to floor. Cinched tight at the waist, it was a showstopping, Hollywood femme-fatale number that Wurst styled  wavy, glossy tresses over. With her diva style partnered with a thick, signature moustachioed beard, Wurst was at the forefront of public discussions of gender identity and definitions of modern beauty.

The glam rock, studded leather style of last year’s winners Måneskin was part of a collaboration with Italian design brand ETRO.

Ukraine’s Verka Serduchka went beyond modern into the cosmic super-modern sphere in 2007. Was she inspired by David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust or the Wizard of Oz’s Tin Man? Either way, the glaring silver suit screamed disco-punk-spaceman and she was absolutely captivating. 

Kate Miller-Heidke and Sheldon Riley have represented Australia’s epic, adventurous attitude to fashion in recent years. In 2019, Miller-Heidke wore a cascading, hyper-feminine gown. It was spectral, mystical and regal all at once. Topped with a star-studded, spiked headpiece, she was a gothic Cinderella.

Our representaive this year, Sheldon Riley’s aesthetic adopts elements of the regal, gothic and grandiose. From long, bejewelled acrylic nails through to sparkling, crystal-encrusted spectacles and veiled headresses, he is a performer unafraid to make statements.

Growing up, Riley’s height and proclivity for bold colours and cuts made it a challenge to find off-the-shelf outfits that catered to his aesthetics and body. Uncomplainingly, he taught himself to create his own clothing and from there, to venture into making his own accessories – including the spectacles and veils. When he soars into ‘Not The Same’ in front of a global audience this year, there will be pure integrity in those words and in his choice of outfit and stage set, 

Riley, like all the exceptional, idiosyncratic Eurovision performers over more than 60 years, is absolutely not the same as any other.

Live stream all the glittery action of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest on SBS and at SBS On Demand in early morning broadcasts or catch up in the evenings: 

Semi-final 1: LIVE Wednesday 11 May at 5am/LATER Friday 13 May at 8.30pm.

Semi-final 2: LIVE Friday 13 May at 5am/LATER Saturday 14 May at 8.30pm.

Semi-final 1: LIVE Sunday 15 May at 5am/LATER Sunday 15 May at 7.30pm.

The Eurovision Song Contest is back in 2022, held in Turin, Italy! Tune into the Australian exclusive primetime broadcast on SBS and SBS On Demand on 13, 14 and 15 May. For all the details visit sbs.com.au/Eurovision, and join the conversation using #SBSEurovision