Our 5 favourite Brownlow Medal dresses of the past 5 years

WHEN footy and fashion collide on Brownlow night, the fashion spectacle often eclipses the awards themselves. Here’s are our five favourite red carpet looks.

26/09/2011 NEWS: 2011 Brownlow Medal. Blue Carpet arrivals. Nadia Coppolino

BROWNLOW fever is beginning to take hold with final preparations under way for AFL’s glamour night.

Footy and fashion collide to create a compelling spectacle where the red carpet often eclipses the awards themselves.

Where the primary focus was once traditionally on the blokes, it’s the WAGs who have increasingly captured the attention in recent years.

Here are our top five Brownlow dresses from the past five years:

Rebecca Judd

Rebecca Judd’s striking J’Aton number from the 2008 count.

By: J’Aton

The wife of dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd has been a consistent standout in the style stakes but this gladiator style J’Aton gown from 2008 takes out the top gong.

Lauren Poulter

Lauren Poulter in 2011.

By: Amaline Vitale

Wife of Tigers star Chris Newman, Lauren was the star of the Brownlow red carpet in 2011 in sophisticated long sleeves, plunging neckline and thigh-high slit.

Nadia Bartel

Another 2011 winner: Nadia Bartel.

By: Julie Simonelli

The brunette beauty captured everyone’s attention in sleek and striking emerald Julie Simonelli at the 2011 awards.

Lauren Phillips

Lauren Phillips opted for classic gamour in 2008.

Nicola Finetti

Lauren oozed classic Hollywood glamour in this stunning coral beaded strapless gown at the 2008 Medal.

Erin Maxwell

Erin Maxwell in glittering Grecian blue and gold.

Julie Simonelli

Erin was a Grecian beauty in metallic blue and gold Julie Simonelli at the 2011 awards.

What the winner gets to wear.

Red carpet couturier Julie Simonelli says she’s seen a shift in the five years she has been creating show-stopping Brownlow gowns.

“I think there has been a movement towards top-end dressing, to couture creations for the girls who can afford it,” she said.

“There has been a transition for it to be one of the main red carpet events for Australia.”

Celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson says she has had an increase in demand for her services in the lead-up to the Brownlow.

This year she is dressing six WAGS, including Alex Davis, Jordan Papalia and Erin Maxwell.

“I’ve been working behind the scenes with most of the girls for about three months,” she said.

Red carpet kings J’Aton have been inundated with requests for Brownlow gowns but once again are only dressing uber WAG Rebecca Judd.

“We’d love to dress more girls but due to the capacity of our work, we can’t take any more on,” J’Aton designer Jacob Luppino said.

He says his favourite of Judd’s Brownlow creations was the first one they did for her in 2008.

“That is still something we’d make today. It has stood the test of time,” he said.

“I thought she looked amazing in the red dress last year, even being four or five months pregnant at the time.”

Originally published as Our 5 favourite Brownlow Medal dresses of the past 5 years