{"id":83190,"date":"2023-09-24T04:27:15","date_gmt":"2023-09-24T04:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/happylifestyleinc.com\/?p=83190"},"modified":"2023-09-24T04:27:15","modified_gmt":"2023-09-24T04:27:15","slug":"with-plenty-of-fresh-faces-is-the-brownlow-entering-its-next-golden-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happylifestyleinc.com\/fashion\/with-plenty-of-fresh-faces-is-the-brownlow-entering-its-next-golden-age\/","title":{"rendered":"With plenty of fresh faces, is the Brownlow entering its next golden age?"},"content":{"rendered":"
By <\/span>Melissa Singer<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n The Queen is dead, long live the Queen \u2013 of the Brownlow, that is.<\/p>\n Just as our newly crowned head of state is still finding his style rhythm, the rising stars of the AFL \u2013 and their partners \u2013 are still adjusting to life in the Brownlow spotlight, one of the biggest nights on the Australian fashion calendar (apologies to the Dally M).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Georgina Lamont says she\u2019s nervous about her first time on the Brownlow red carpet.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Eddie Jim<\/cite><\/p>\n After more than a decade of dominance by a cohort of women recognisable by their nicknames alone \u2013 Bec (Judd), Nads (Nadia Bartel), Brit (Selwood), Jessie (Murphy) and Ruby (Keddie) \u2013 a new generation is emerging.<\/p>\n While many partners prefer to share their support from behind the scenes, including in their day jobs and as mothers, there will be plenty of fresh faces on the red carpet on Monday night. One of the newest names is Georgina Lamont, a business banker with NAB and the partner of North Melbourne full-forward and All-Australian Nick Larkey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Final preparations … (from left) stylist Meggy Smith, Georgina Lamont and Cassandra Renee prepare for Monday\u2019s Brownlow.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Eddie Jim<\/cite><\/p>\n Lamont, who is wearing a custom design by Cassandra Renee that is under wraps until Monday, says she\u2019s nervous but excited about her first Brownlow. \u201cI love camping, being out in nature \u2013 this is so different, so that\u2019s why I am so excited about going,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Stylist Meggy Smith, who is dressing Lamont and several other guests, hopes the Brownlow will gradually adopt a greater sustainability focus to reflect the shift happening more widely in fashion. \u201cIt\u2019s the quality of these pieces from the designers that allows these pieces to endure, often allowing them to have a second life,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n As for trends, Smith predicts that quiet luxury will continue, with a focus on texture and the use of mixed materials to create intrigue.<\/p>\n Ahead of Monday\u2019s red carpet, we asked a panel of 20 fashion insiders, including editors, stylists, designers and photographers, to nominate their all-time favourite Brownlow looks. Here are some of their top picks:<\/p>\n Although everyone talks about Judd\u2019s 2004 red dress, her black-and-white dress from 2008 kicked off a longstanding relationship between Melbourne designers J\u2019Aton and the wife of Carlton and West Coast legend Chris Judd.<\/p>\n \u201cMore so than the red dress, this [gown] shifted the role of the red carpet \u2013 it became a platform to promote some of the most exciting design talent in the country.\u201d Anna Byrne, freelance editor and 12-times Brownlow red-carpet veteran<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bec Judd in the first of many J\u2019Aton Brownlow looks.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Paul Rovere<\/cite><\/p>\n Unlike her husband Marc\u2019s former club Carlton, Murphy is one of the red carpet\u2019s most consistent performers of the past few years. Usually favouring ice blue or neutrals, this pink ballgown was a standout, especially with the perfectly undone hair.<\/p>\n \u201cShe looked like Brownlow Barbie, which is the highest compliment, and so relevant now. The cut, the colour, the texture, the perfect low-key hair and makeup to match \u2013 flawless.\u201d Emily Taylor, freelance editor<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018Brownlow Barbie\u2019 … Jessie Murphy.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Franklin, the wife of retired Swans and Hawthorn legend Lance \u201cBuddy\u201d Franklin, often attended the Brownlow from a distance, but her looks still made a huge impact on red carpet folklore.<\/p>\n \u201cStructured, timeless and understated. The dress of my introverted dreams. Not too loud, but still noble and classic.\u201d Tanya Macheda, photographer and former picture editor of The Age<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Drama from a distance … Jesinta and Buddy Franklin.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Historically \u2013 unfairly, perhaps \u2013 the Brownlow focus has been 99 per cent on the female partners, but there are plenty of players with an interest in fashion. Last year, Gawn and Gold Coast\u2019s Touk Miller both channelled some 1970s\u2019 vibes in velvet tuxes. More please.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always nice to see the blokes make an effort. [The velvet was] also a cute homage to \u2013 and improvement on \u2013 the 1977 Brownlow winner Graham Teasdale\u2019s brown velvet suit.\u201d Sarah Abo, co-host of Today<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Smooth touch … Max and Jessica Gawn.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AFL Photos<\/cite><\/p>\n The combination of super-stylist Lana Wilkinson and couturier Sonia Cappellazzo is responsible for some of the Brownlow\u2019s most memorable looks, but this one crowned Keddie, the wife of GWS\u2019 Callan Ward, as one of football fashion\u2019s new guard.<\/p>\n \u201cVery chic, super stylish, and makes a statement in a fresh, cool way.\u201d Sarah Abo<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Crowning moment … Ruby Keddie Ward.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Pat Scala<\/cite><\/p>\n Naturally, there\u2019s always more attention on the players\u2019 partners but Laura Blythe, the wife of outgoing AFL boss Gil McLachlan, has had several standout red-carpet looks over the years, and isn\u2019t afraid to mix things up between classic monochrome glamour, and softer neutrals and pinks. Last year, she also gave a massive nod to sustainability, in the form of vintage Valentino.<\/p>\n \u201c[Blythe] delivers a masterclass in black tie dressing for the next generation and will be sadly missed on the red carpet when Gil departs.\u201d Kate Coughlan, senior PR manager, Victoria Racing Club<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Power couple … Gil McLachlan and Laura Blythe.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Revenge dressing came to the red carpet in the form of this ice-blue ballgown for Bartel at her first Brownlow since splitting from Geelong great turned commentator Jimmy Bartel. The influencer and owner of fashion brand Henne had been one of the red carpet favourites for years, her absence keenly felt in recent times.<\/p>\n \u201cAn elegant and super sophisticated choice, [and the] thigh-high split making it a show-stopping moment on the red carpet.\u201d Lana Wilkinson, stylist<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Standout … Nadia Bartel in 2019.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty <\/cite><\/p>\n Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our<\/i><\/b> Live Well newsletter<\/i><\/b>. <\/i><\/b>Get it in your inbox every Monday<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nSave articles for later<\/h3>\n
Bec Judd, 2008: J\u2019Aton Couture<\/h3>\n
Jessie Murphy, 2018: Oglia-Loro Couture<\/h3>\n
Jesinta Franklin, 2014: Steven Khalil<\/h3>\n
Max Gawn, 2022: YSG Tailors<\/h3>\n
Ruby Keddie Ward, 2016: Cappellazzo Couture<\/h3>\n
Laura Blythe, 2022: vintage Valentino<\/h3>\n
Nadia Bartel, 2019: J\u2019Aton Couture<\/h3>\n
Most Viewed in Lifestyle<\/h2>\n