VOGUE VAULT

Looking back at Olivia Newton-John in 1983, it’s clear Australia’s sweetheart epitomised that era of glamour.

Just five years after the hit film Grease was released and Olivia Newton-John became a household name – and right at the time she was about to open her own boutique, Koala Blue, in Los Angeles – the singer and actress appeared in the pages of Vogue Australia’s December 1983 issue, purveying party-ready outfits straight out of an 80s playbook. In a profile calling out Newton-John’s ‘new moves’ and ‘black magic’ allure, the accompanying shoot was packed with big hair, disco sequins, over-the-top eyeshadow, ruched mini-dresses, a mullet-esque ‘do and wrist cuffs. Dressed in Australian designers Mark & Geoffrey and Linda Jackson, both prominent names at the time, Newton-John almost looked the part of ‘rebel’ Sandy, if Sandy had swapped her leather trousers for a strapless party dress, that is.