There were style stunts at the Midwinter Ball, but you needed a map to find them

Just as with July’s odds-on interest rate drop that turned into a shock hold, observers of Wednesday night’s black-tie parliamentary Midwinter Ball were primed for more stunts than a Cirque du Soleil show.

But those armed with bingo cards playing along at home would have been left crying into their Cointreau.

Despite the current news cycle – Gaza, asylum seekers, gambling, (multiple) housing crises – the number of “protest looks” at the ball were so few, you almost needed a map to find them.

Instead, a surprise guest – and no, I am not referring to Kate Ceberano or Dylan Alcott, though big ups to them for going along – made a long-overdue debut at the party: Fashion.

True, Greens leader Larissa Waters sported Palestinian flag earrings, by Indigenous outfit Haus of Dizzy, and fellow Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May wore a “Whales not Woodside” pair by the same designer. But most attendees stuck to more subtle displays of “fashion diplomacy”.

Our unofficial first lady (and Taylor Swift bridal understudy) Jodie Haydon looked regal in a modified red (for Labor, geddit?) gown by Carla Zampatti, at whose headquarters last week the NSW Government launched an initiative to better support the Australian fashion industry. Haydon worked with celebrity stylist Donny Galella, whose work is more often seen on the Dally M red carpet or at Royal Randwick, but who proved he can play in the big leagues when called upon.

Speaking of local designers, most attendees got the memo: Bec & Bridge for Victorian MP Georgie Purcell, who’s expecting her first child with Labor’s Josh Burns, and marigold Acler for Labor’s Sally Sitou. In a close call, Laura Chalmers, the journalist wife of Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley arrived in the same Rebecca Vallance frock, albeit in different colours (didn’t anyone check the WhatsApp group?).

Those who strayed from the “buy Australian” mandate did so with class: Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie embodied Gen-Z’s “she’s booked and busy” meme in a Hugo Boss tuxedo, the ABC’s Sarah Ferguson wore Serbian-British label Roksanda, and Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie kept things relatable in Forever New. (Side note: it was a relief to see only one of the “Teal independents” – Dr Monique Ryan – wearing teal.)

But possibly the highlight of the evening was the number of pollies and guests who emulated another stateswoman, Catherine, Princess of Wales, by opting for sustainable choices, either through re-wears or secondhand finds.

Among the best was environmental strategist Jo Taranto, partner of Labor MP Jerome Laxale, who said her full-length linen gown by Sydney designer Daisy-Rose Cooper had been over-dyed with blue gum leaves and black tea. Far less DIY, but equally commendable, was Communications and Sport Minister Anika Wells, who bought her one-shouldered dress on Facebook Marketplace.

Talk about a masterclass in power dressing.

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