Brownlow Medal 2018: The best and worst from the red carpet
There was a time when the Brownlow Medal red carpet looked more like the annual parents’ disco at your kids’ primary school: A lot of enthusiasm and cobbled-together looks with individual flair and some sensible short haircuts that did double duty on the netball court and in the tuckshop.
Those days are so gone. And the red carpet looks at the 2018 Brownlow Medal showed again what happens when good taste and stylists kick in.
See all the memorable gowns here
The worst crime against fashion was that almost everyone looked universally fine, apart from anyone who mistook the occasion for the over-the-top Italian wedding they never got to have.
The one major look? Metallics, as seen on Jessica Todd, who arrived with Melbourne’s Max Gawn. Kate Turner, partner of Essendon captain Dyson Heppell, and Sarah Roughead, wife of Hawks’ veteran Jarryd Roughead, both went for shine, a deep neckline and half-sheer skirt.
Brit Davis, partner of Geelong’s Joel Selwood, was the best example of how far the game has changed. No skin in sight, glittery without any hint of tackiness, she looked like she had stepped from a Vogue shoot for modern occasion dressing.
Hannah Davis, partner of Hawthorn’s Brownlow favourite Tom Mitchell, seemed determined her night would be gold. She went heavy on the fake tan, sequins, white teeth and beachy hair – no point doing things by halves.
Golden girl: Hannah Davis. Photo: Getty
Charlotte Ennels, fiancee of Melbourne’s Jack Viney, claimed it “took an army” to style her cool slicked-back hair and spangly spiderweb of a dress.
Taking a cue from last week’s Emmys, bridal white was also a theme of the night, with Nadia Bartel, wife of Geelong medallist Jimmy Bartel, leading the pack with the added bonus of a valuable accessory: a baby bump.
Soon to deliver her second son, Bartel, in structured J’Aton Couture with back cutaways, prepped for the big event at Crown Towers, upstairs from where the medal count was held.
Twinning with Nadia – white dress, baby bump, sophistication – was former medallist Gary Ablett’s wife Jordan. Perfect red lip, glamorous hair … best on ground?
Model Jesinta Franklin, slinking in with Swans’ spearhead husband Lance Franklin, went less-is-more, in a chic, simple dress reminiscent of a 1930s pre-war nightgown.
Most surprising dress of the night? Rebecca Judd’s pale lilac J’Aton Couture was a total standout, with its unexpected broderie anglaise swirly details.
The Nine presenter, wife of former Carlton medallist Chris Judd, noted she’s “always subtle” when dressed by the Melbourne house. Within an hour, she had notched up over 32,000 likes.
Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury’s wife Alex went for Grecian chic from wedding gown designer Jane Hill Bridal. Classy. But a little bit Victoria Beckham. Not that that’s a bad thing.
Jessie Murphy, wife of Carlton captain Marc, farewelled baby Max – as you do – before stepping out, her hair gorgeously undone, in frothy fun lollipop pink by wedding designer Oglia-Loro.
Red, last year’s hit, flamed out slightly but former medallist Nat Fyfe’s partner Elli Brashaw (in Pallas Couture) and a spectacular Alice Gough, who came with the Crows’ Paul Seedsman and a semi-Victoriana vibe, were scarlet ladies.
Respect went to Brooke Cotchin, who went for big sleeves, a plunging neckline, mega split and unwieldy train that needed to be wrangled by her husband, Tigers’ star Trent Cotchin. And still looked like she wasn’t jack of it all.
The most divisive look on the night was worn by Logan Shine, partner of Western Bulldogs’ speedster Jason Johannisen.
Her Con Ilio gown had everything: long sleeves, high neck, lace, and a feathered train that nearly derailed the entire red carpet. Not to be outdone, her man was in three-piece black and white checks and a heavy chain necklace.
“Fluffy,” noted one of her followers. “Ridiculous,” said another. “I just had a stroke,” noted a third but others loved it: “Amazing.”
The look proved a hit on Twitter, or at least sparked instant memes.
“How does she sit on a chair?” asked one user. “Daryl Somers mourning the loss of Ossie Ostrich,” said another.
