Australian celebrities play a big part in the psyche of the Australian public; in fact they could almost be considered part of an Australian’s daily life. Our favourite celebrities are in our sub-conscious everyday – they are on our televisions, we hear their voices on the radio, and see them almost everywhere in print ads such as billboards, newspapers, and magazines. It’s no surprise really that celebrities have an influence on our lives and shape our ideas on things. One area that celebrities are particularly influential in is the latest fashion trends.

Designers prefer to have celebrity endorsers for their clothing lines, particularly as celebrities raise the profile and appeal to celebrity hungry Australian consumers. Having celebrities such as Nicole Kidman (who recently endorsed Chanel No. 5) and Ian Thorpe has been advantageous for fashion labels. The popularity of these celebrities assures that fashion designers and fashion labels get the desired attention from the target market. We all love to wear the latest styles, so when we see the likes of Naomi Watts with a hot handbag, then the rest of us are rushing out to get it! When fashion items such as clothing, shoes and accessories are seen on famous celebrities then the desire for the rest of us to replicate their look has an incredible power on the rest of us. Wearing the latest styles that we see on our favourite celebrity gives us a stronger connection to the stars we admire. Celebrities have special something that makes people want to follow their lead; this in turn makes them powerful trend drivers.

Celebrities are trendsetters, so expect to see them making the headlines when they are out in public with a new style (think Kylie after any of her many changes). Australian fashion critiques judge these styles and we see reviews, feedback and comments across many media forums. Celebrity styles that receive good reviews and get the thumbs up are often quickly picked up and become a trend with the wider public. Think how often we will see an image of Cate Blanchett or Miranda Kerr with a ‘How To Create The Look’ caption and article. Magazines regularly feature such articles to help stylish readers achieve their favourite Australian celebrity’s look, or re-create an outfit similar to one worn by a celebrity for a special occasion or event.

We can even get clothing and other items that famous celebrities have launched. It is possible now to purchase clothing, shoes, accessories, bags, lingerie, and even perfume and toiletries. Stylish consumers can buy lingerie from Elle Macpherson and Kylie Minogue, as well as the Kylie perfume. Just by carrying a celebrity’s name products get a significant level of support from consumers. Fashion editors and trend watchers are always on the lookout for the new styles and trends, eagerly awaiting the next thing that these celebrities will introduce to the fashion world especially those celebrities who have consistently made it on the list of the Australia’s Best Dressed Celebrities.

The glamour of award nights and the red carpet inspire a great deal of public attention and this influences fashion lovers. There are often reviews and commentary for the biggest award nights and there are television shows and even channels that focus on celebrity and fashion. These shows can be a great place for designers to get their brands in the public eye – with fashion lovers tuning in to watch the fashion at events such as the Brownlow’s or the ARIA’s to see what their favourite celebrities are wearing.

There is little doubt that Australian celebrities get to wear some amazing designer fashion. With local shows such as ‘Make Me A Supermodel’ and Australia’s ‘Project Runway’ captivating a whole new audience and expanding their understanding of fashion, the influence of celebrities is sure to continue and grow in the future.

By: Darlene Gianoli

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