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Dannii Minogue: “My Style Is Still Evolving"

Dannii Minogue 2003-2012: "My Style is Still Evolving" (Getty/Getty)

From Young Talent Time graduate with a preference for perms and plastic earrings, to respected fashion designer, Dannii Minogue is the first to admit the road to red carpet glamazon was a bumpy one to begin with.

“Some people are born fashion icons, like Audrey Hepburn, and never have a red-carpet crisis and others, like me, are constantly trying to evolve and find our own look,” says the mum to Ethan, 2, reminiscing on her style evolution over the past two decades in an exclusive interview for WHO’s 20th birthday issue, on sale now.

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While her Project D London label has won over high-profile names including Kate Middleton and Princess Mary, Minogue’s blonde-streaked fringe and flesh-baring clothes early on in her diverse career earned her a spot on more than one worst-dressed list: “I wasn’t frightened of throwing everything at an outfit,” concedes an unapologetic Minogue. “I hadn’t worked out red carpet glam yet.”

By 1997, the singer, who’d been more into mud than Barbie growing up in Melbourne with older sister Kylie, notes “that gene seems to have caught up with me” in reference to the newly-platinum locks and penchant for ensembles which highlighted her ample cleavage that she’d begun sporting. “I appear to even have dressed by her!”

2003 heralded a new era for the style chameleon, who’d returned to the spotlight after a hiatus with a dance-influenced album, Neon Nights. True to the club-theme, Minogue looked ready to party in the fluro-pink, transparent mini dress—offset by a spray tan—that she donned for an event in London. “Everyone hated that dress but I loved it and still do,” she recalls. “But Katy Perry would have snatched it off me if she’d been around then!”

Dannii Minogue in 2003 (Getty)

By the mid-naughties, Minogue’s style incarnation was centered on lady-like glamour: gone were the fishnets, Lycra, two-toned hair and love of “everything ripped and destroyed,” in place of cropped hair, longer hemlines and an always perfectly polished presentation. Turning to the likes of Melbourne label J’Aton Couture for her red carpet moments, “They are incredibly at show-stopping dresses,” raves Minogue. “I love a bit of sparkle added to everything.”

Dannii Minogue in 2012(Getty)

Today, sporting a pixie crop and having perfected what she calls her “ladylike glam” signature style, “I’m a sucker for a Grecian-style gown,” says London-based Minogue, who works a pair of jeans, printed shirt and flats while on mummy-duty as much ease as she does a fishtail J’Aton confection in the spotlight. “But as much as I try to change it up,” she adds, “the Grecian look may possibly become my fashion rut!”

Not that she’s short of sartorial options. Having launched her uber-feminine Project D London label with best friend Tabitha Somerset Webb in 2010, “There is nothing like the thrill of wearing a dress from your very own collection.”

As for those past fashion faux pas? The star remains unrepentant: “To anyone who laughs really hard, let’s just say I’m coming over to your house for a cuppa and we are going to look through your family album!”

Reported by Shane Sutton

For more First Look features from the stars, be sure to pick up WHO's 20th Birthday Special Collector's Issue, on sale now. PLUS: For More Behind the Scenes 20th Birthday Content, check out WHO.com's 20th Dedicated Birthday Site Here.