WAG power marks a fashion revolution

WAGs Nadia Bartel and Bec Judd were among those front and centre at Australian Fashion Week, but it was a nod to Tania Buckley’s cheeky Brownlow G-string dress that stole the show.

In a dark underground former throbbing nightclub, Melbourne-born model Montana Cox struts down the runway in a long-sleeved black Michael Lo Sordo figure hugger, gripping her thoroughbred figure in just the right places.

As she turns from the cameras there is an audible shuffling. The front row of iPhones suddenly standing at the ready to video the glimpse of black G-string, in-built into the sex-on-legs backless gown.

It’s a moment and there is no denying THAT Tania Buckley Brownlow reference.

Later the designer, who calls Melbourne his second home and is often seen enjoying a vodka martini at Society on Collin St with our very own society queens, just grins when asked about the power of the WAG and his apparent ode to Buckley’s famous 2001 showstopper.

The famous 2001 Brownlow Medal dress worn by Tania Buckley. Picture: Cameron Tandy

Less was more for Nadia Bartel at fashion week. Picture: Matrix

The former Brownlow queen herself Bec Judd has just walked past to congratulate Lo Sordo on his sizzling show. The runway’s stylist Chris Kontos jokes they should recreate her in the G-string look (Page 13 can only hope).

Yes we know the WAG moniker is tired and outdated, but it is anything but for the wives and girlfriends of the AFL.

Their star power was in all its glory as Melbourne took over Australian Fashion Week in Sydney this week.

From the relative newbies, like fresh faced Annalise Dalins, the model girlfriend of Collingwood premiership player Josh Daicos, who has been hitting all the right style notes, hitting the front row throughout the week from Carla Zampatti to P.E. Nation.

Then come the likes of Judd and Nadia Bartel, both long gone from the Brownlow carpet but who have used its power and pull to create hugely successful social media followings, an almost insatiable interest in their day-to-day highs and lows, all while carving out their own successful fashion endeavours.

Nadia Bartel and Bec Judd at Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Matrix

Nadia Bartel and Bec Judd at the Michael Lo Sordo show with Rozalia Russian and Lana WIlkinson. Picture: Supplied

Judd is the co-founder with best mate Michelle Greene of activewear label Jaggad, while Bartel is designer and founder of womenswear brand Henne, which had its own runway AFW debut the year prior and is now expanding with a store in the Harbour City.

There to support best mate Lana Wilkinson debut her eponymous shoe range on the Michael Lo Sordo runway, they literally stopped traffic as a pap came running after to get the girl gang as they walked in.

Say what you want, and plenty do, but these girls have become serious players in Australia’s fashion industry, with only more to come.