Grand Prix glamour party Melb’s ‘new Brownlow’
Bec Judd turned heads at the Grand Prix’s flashy Glamour on the Grid event in a barely-there dress made from a popular designer’s “leftover fabric”.
Confidential
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Grand Prix glamour has officially revved up with one top designer labelling the Formula One Glamour on the Grid party as Melbourne’s new Brownlow.
More than 700 stylish guests walked and posed through pit lane at Albert Park on Wednesday night ahead of this weekend’s race.
Big names from the sport, entertainment, business and hospitality worlds joined other VIPs at the lavish A-list bash.
Designer Jason Grech, who dressed DJ Paris Lawrence and Mary Kalifatidis for the night, said he had been inundated with requests for outfits.
“We’ve had 39 people wanting us to dress them, he said.
“We even had people calling us on Tuesday night. It’s definitely one of the premier fashion events and possibly the new Brownlow.
“Everybody can be a part of this. It’s one of the only times other than the NGV Gala where people can really get dressed up.”
AFL footballer Daniel Rioli became a husband of Instagram, jostling with photographers to get a snap of his leggy girlfriend DJ Paris Lawrence.
Sucked and cinched within an inch of her life in bespoke Jason Grech chrome metallic came the realization Glamour on The Grid has become no ordinary red carpet.
Not many on the ruby rug had the foggiest who influencer Anna McEvoy was. But that wasn’t stopping the one time Love Island hopeful parading down Pit Lane for more than 10 minutes in custom Alin Le Kal in a scene reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe in Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend.
A little further down the Glamour On the Grid media wall and trans advocate Deni Todorovic in a plume of feathers in a custom suit by singer Sheldon Riley took a leaf out of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s red carpet PDA book, snogging their plus one, musician Tim Nelson.
The singer from Aussie pop band Cub Sport was well used to a passionate kiss on the carpet, having already had a PDA moment earlier this year at the Grammy music awards, when they shared a passionate kiss with keyboardist Sam Netterfield who they are also married with.
Werk it.
But it was Bec Judd who all eyes were on when she appeared in her red carpet go-to, homegrown haute couturiers J’Aton.
Using some “left over fabric” and believe us there wasn’t much spare, from the sculptural fluro-pink neoprene gown commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria for its Melbourne Now exhibition, the AFL WAG turned social media maven with the Midas touch was reminiscent of that moment.
J’Aton’s somewhat reclusive Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittornio said they saw something special in Judd when she first stepped onto the Brownlow red carpet in that red Ruth Tarvydas dress as a then Rebecca Twigley.
“The whole of Australia’s jaw dropped when she appeared in that red dress, but we were like this girl is gorgeous we want to dress her. That was more than twenty years ago now,” Luppino exclaimed.
So over the top were some of the red carpet ensembles special requests were needed. Singer Sheldon Riley’s angel wings were so heavy they were required to be removed after their turn on the ruby rug and safely stored away as the night progressed. The drama!
There was something for everyone, with footy’s Sam Newman arriving early with “good friend”, our gymnastics queen, world champion fitness expert Sue Stanley.
One holding a clipboard was heard asking “who are you” as the guests dressed to the nines started to bottle neck just like the F1 cars down the straight. Everyone was having their moment and some, as they posed, peacocked and preened for what is now the biggest red carpet event on Melbourne’s social calendar.
Miss Universe Australia winner Maria Thattil wore a chic red gown by Melbourne couturiers J’Aton inspired by the Alfa Romeo F1 team.
“We want this dress to embody the essence of the Alfa Romeo Tonale – sophisticated, sporty and passionate,” said J’Aton’s Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino.
Michelle Payne said she enjoyed the speed aspect of F1.
“I went last year and loved it,” she said.
Collingwood star Jack Crisp, with wife Mikayla, is attending both Saturday and Sunday sessions.
“It’s awesome, I’ve just got tickets in the grand stand and hopefully Max Verstappen wins,” he said.
Paul Versace, from Styled by Bloom, styled 10 girls for the event, including Rogers, Crisp, Grace Hayden and Annalise Dalins, partner of Josh Daicos.
Singer Bonnie Anderson and fiance Sam Morrison had their first night out since welcoming son Bobby in December.
“Mum and dad’s date night,” Anderson said.
Other guests included Miss Universe Australia winners Monique Riley, Daria Varlamova and Priya Serrao; Essendon captain Zach Merrett; Richmond AFLW star Monique Conti; Olympic canoe champion Jess Fox; tennis ace Thanasi Kokkinakis; Collingwood stars Josh Daicos and Mason Cox; ARIA award winner Baker Boy; models Olivia Rogers, Kate Peck and Lindy Klim; influencers Brooke Warne, Mia Fevola and Sophie Cachia; Grand Prix chief executive Andrew Westacott; Grand Prix Chairman Paul Little; chefs Shane Delia, Scott Pickett and Sarah Todd; newsreaders Jennifer Keyte and Mike Amor; former V8 supercar champions Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes plus current Supercar drivers Scott Pye and David Reynolds, and aviation chief Paul Stoddart.
Hang on, isn’t there something to do with cars now? Vroom vroom.
Collingwood star Jack Crisp, with wife Mikayla, is attending both Saturday and Sunday sessions.
“It’s awesome, I’ve just got tickets in the grand stand and hopefully Max Verstappen wins,” he said.
Paul Versace, from Styled by Bloom, styled 10 girls for the event, including Rogers, Crisp, Grace Hayden and Annalise Dalins, partner of Josh Daicos.
Singer Bonnie Anderson and fiance Sam Morrison had their first night out since welcoming son Bobby in December.
“Mum and dad’s date night,” Anderson said.
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