Sam Armytage wanted something ‘a little different’ for her Logies look. Here’s how it happened

There’s an array of words that could be used to describe Sam Armytage’s Logies outfit, but there’s one she keeps returning to: fun.

We’re at the Carla Zampatti headquarters in Sydney, joining the TV presenter for her penultimate fitting ahead of the 2026 awards show. As she emerges from behind the curtain in a glittering brown jumpsuit, Armytage’s elation is clear.

“It screams, to me, fun, sexy, ‘Let’s have a dance’,” she tells nine.com.au.

“I know I’m going to feel great when I wear this.”

From mood board to red carpet

Each year, we see the stars of Aussie TV sashay down the Logies red carpet – but what we aren’t privy to is the weeks, if not months, of ideation, work and collaboration that goes into their outfits.

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Nine Network style manager Alex Wilson says the process can begin as early as a year out – “Sometimes you’ll find an inspiration pic and think, ‘That would be great for the Logies next year’” – while other times, it happens in a matter of weeks.

For this look, Armytage and Wilson have worked closely with Carla Zampatti’s design director Tanya Emon Beattie and pattern maker Nam Truong Do.

“[In 2025] I did a big gown that was absolutely spectacular, but this year I wanted to do something a little different and a little bit fun,” the Golden Bachelor host says.

Armytage had a clear vision for her outfit, having “constantly” taken screenshots from Instagram and celebrity events to share and discuss with Wilson.

“Sam came in with a really exciting mood board ... it was really inspiring to see her references,” Beattie tells nine.com.au. There was a good splash of Hollywood glamour, with Sharon Stone’s Casino wardrobe a major influence, while ‘fun’, ‘elegant’ and ‘sexy’ served as key descriptors.

After browsing a selection of swatches – a sneak peek of Carla Zampatti’s Autumn 2027 range – Armytage chose a deep brown shade the label calls Carob, featuring matte sequins and a subtle sparkle.

The outfit, featuring a halter-neck, open back and cinched waist, undoubtedly brings Armytage’s mood board to life – but it also has a sentimental link to the iconic Aussie label and its late namesake founder, who “loved a jumpsuit”.

“Carla Zampatti always cuts a beautiful jumpsuit. I’ve [worn] a few before,” Armytage says.

Beattie agrees the “Carla DNA” is inherent to the look and its strong, modern silhouette.

“It has this beautiful cinched-in waist, [and] the leg shape is really what excites me ... she looks amazing.”

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The art of the final touches

The completion of the garment doesn’t spell the end of Logies preparation. There’s also the task of finding the right accessories, which Wilson describes as “highly considered”.

“The wrong earring, the wrong shoe, even the wrong hairstyle can completely change a look. A lot of searching, a lot of scrolling, hours and hours go into those finer details,” she says.

The overall theme for a look goes a long way in determining what accompanies it. Here, the Casino influence has helped guide the choice of gold jewellery, which includes a pair of large cuff bracelets.

“The chocolate brown and gold is a really nice contrast that works together,” Wilson says.

No stranger to the red carpet, Armytage considers heels that “aren’t too high” a non-negotiable for events like the Logies, as uncomfortable shoes can “ruin your whole night”.

However, she’s bending her own rules this year, agreeing to wear an “insane” pair of heels on the ruby rug after some gentle encouragement from Wilson.

That description isn’t an exaggeration – the heel on the mocha-hued Aquazzura platform sandals is roughly five inches tall.

Showtime

Wilson agrees comfort is a vital component of dressing for the red carpet.

“That red carpet is quite a scary place if you’re not feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing,” she says.

For stylists and designers, these events present an array of considerations that influence an outfit’s development. Walking the red carpet at the Logies is one thing, but there’s also the issue of sitting down.

“They’ve got a really long dinner while they’re announcing all the awards, so you do need to consider where the boning is put on a dress and if the talent can actually breathe,” Wilson says with a laugh.

She says it’s also vital to hem an outfit at the perfect spot – a subject of much debate during Armytage’s fitting – to avoid tripping, and ensuring splits in gowns aren’t too high lest cameras “capture the wrong view”.

Fortunately, Armytage doesn’t have a leg split or boning to contend with.

“I think, in this outfit, I’m going to have a really fun night. The [team] has just made it so beautifully for me, it fits really well,” she says.

Her excitement is matched by Beattie, who is thrilled the Carla Zampatti team has been able to bring the presenter’s vision to life.

“I feel like we’ve hit the brief ... seeing Sam walk down [the red carpet], that’ll be a real moment.”

Video: Damien Axiak