Caroline Polachek is starting the year off strong. After bagging a nomination in the Brits’ International Artist of the Year category – her first nomination at the British bash – the US artist has also scooped a prize at the inaugural Resonator Awards. The ceremony, which took place in LA on Tuesday, was founded to honour women in music, but for their behind-the-scenes work as engineers, mixers and producers. Polachek was there to grab the spectacularly titled Golden Trifecta Award, whose recipient is described as “an innovator who breaks down traditional barriers and makes magic happen on both sides of the glass.”

It also seems that Polachek is approaching her fashion choices with the same boundary breaking slant, announcing her arrival to the awards in a studded dress with two globular pads protruding from her shoulders. The dress, taken from CSM-alum Louis Shengtao Chen’s AW22 collection, was constructed in a satin pastel plaid, with fabric swaddled over the oversized pads to resemble window drapes, or perhaps a pair of floating lampshades. The ensemble made Polachek look like some sort of fearless fashion Cerberus, a three headed woman unafraid to take up multiple seats on the bus.

During her rousing acceptance speech at the bash, Polachek recounted her days working as an assistant, her early experiences in a male-dominated industry, and the inspiration behind her overarching musical and aesthetic vision. She also used the speech to shout out fellow honoree Alanis Morisette , who was sitting in the audience. “Jagged Little Pill was the first album I ever owned,” gushed the singer. “Your music woke up some big, big feelings in me that would later come out through my music. So, thank you. It’s a thrill to get to tell you that in person tonight.”

Fashion wise, it’s no surprise Polachek picked a creation from Chen – who only graduated in 2020 – as she’s known for supporting fresh new design talent. Back in October, the US star wore an iridescent burgundy skirt set from the New York brand PRISCAVera to perform her single “Dang” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and has recently worn looks from up-and-comers like Paolino Russo, Genevieve Devine and Fidan Novruzova.