Brownlow Medal red carpet wrap: Girls shine on red carpet

THE AFL’s glamour girls grasped their moment to shine last night with a string of bold and daring designs, from pants to plunging necklines, stealing the spotlight.

THE AFL’s glamour girls grasped their moment to shine last night with a string of bold and daring designs, from pants to plunging necklines, stealing the spotlight.

In the absence of red carpet veteran Rebecca Judd, missing her first Brownlow in ten years due to the impending birth of her twin boys, a new guard of glamorous WAGs rose to prominence on footy’s night of nights.

Nadia Bartel took the red carpet in her stride, opting for an embellished jumpsuit by J’Aton. The fashion couturiers renowned for weaving their magic on Judd caused a storm on social media with posts of the pretty pants ensemble.

BROWNLOW MEDAL RED CARPET MEGA GALLERY

BROWNLOW MEDAL RED CARPET — AS IT HAPPENED

Nadia Bartel wears a J’Aton jumpsuit. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“I really wanted pants the whole time,” Bartell said.

“I just wanted to be really comfy and I loved the look and feel; it was still getting sewed today.”

Jesinta Campbell, who attended the Brownlow ceremony in Sydney, also opted to wear pants in a revealing black jumpsuit by Stephanie Chehade while Jordan Ablett, wife of dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett, wore Wonder Woman inspired hot pants also by J’Aton.

Joel Selwood’s cats might have missed the grand final but Brit Davis had a fairytale end to the season in a pastel pink, tulle ball gown by Jason Grech. Selwood proved he was a real prince charming by carrying her train down the carpet.

Geelong’s Joel Selwood carries Brit Davis’s train town the red carpet. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Jordan Ablett on the red carpet. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Sequins, cut outs and sheer panelling were also a standout while red and white dominated the colour palette.

While the Brownlow red carpet has always been a platform for local designers to make a fashion statement, this year political statements also stole the show.

Annie Nolan, wife of Bulldog’s star Luke Picken, has been outspoken about online bullying in the lead up to Brownlow and made a stand against judgmental couch critics by wearing a tuxedo exactly the same as her husband’s, designed by Carl Nave.

“Women have been unfairly judged for their red carpet appearance in the past, and the boys seem to get away without criticism each year, so I thought wearing a suit would give me a free pass from the fashion police. Plus the invite said “strictly black tie or evening gown” so I’m not breaking any rules, but I do hope it makes people think about the unfair sexism directed towards women on the red carpet,” she said.

Erin Jolley, partner of Collingwood player Ben Reid, on the red carpet. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Western Bulldogs Liam Picken and Annie Nolan. Picture: Michael Klein

Three Saints wives also bucked the ball gown trend, instead dressing in preloved frocks from a South Melbourne op shop which cost as little as $8. D’Arne Finnis, wife of Saints chief executive Matt Finnis, Jo Richardson, wife of senior coach Alan Richardson, and Karen Massen, partner of president Peter Summers, bought off-the-rack, op-shop couture from the Sacred Heart Mission Op Shop in South Melbourne.

Jessie Hultgren, at the Brownlow with David Armitage of St Kilda, on the red carpet. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Lauren Tscharke, partner of Carlton player Bryce Gibbs. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Jessie Habermann. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Nikki Homann, partner of Richmond’s Taylor Hunt. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Haylea Cooney, wife of former medallist Adam Cooney, also recycled her red carpet attire, wearing the bridesmaid dress from her best friend, and fellow wag, Annie Nolan’s wedding.

In the latest evolution of the Gownlow a number of the Women’s AFL marquee players including Katie Brennan, Moana Hope and Daisy Pearce also walked the carpet for the first time.

Brennan, the face of the Bulldog’s women’s team said their attendance sends a powerful message to young girls watching at home.

“Every footy player probably aspires to one day attend the Brownlow, but it was a much more farfetched dream for me; hopefully it’s the first of many more to come.” Brennan said.