From a 50p Flea‑Market Find to a Star‑Making Costume: Kylie Minogue’s Gold Hotpants

The gold hotpants that Kylie Minogue wore in the 1990 "Spinning Around" music video have a surprisingly modest origin. According to theatre and popular‑entertainment curator Margaret Marshall, a photographer friend bought them at a London flea market for only 50p.

Marshall explained that the night before the video was filmed, Minogue’s stylist pulled the hotpants out of the wardrobe and suggested she wear them. The decision proved a turning point in Minogue’s career, giving her a bold visual that resonated with audiences worldwide.

Today the iconic garment is on display in the ENCORE! exhibition at Arts Centre Melbourne. The show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Australian Performing Arts Collection and showcases 50 items selected from more than 875,000 pieces in the archive.

By featuring the gold hotpants alongside other historic costumes, instruments and props, ENCORE! highlights how a single, seemingly ordinary prop can become a cultural landmark. It also invites visitors to discover the personal stories that shape Australia’s performing‑arts heritage.

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