Brynne Edelsten in 2012 Picture: David Caird
WHILE some Brownlow gowns have been
graceful, some have been plain distasteful — but footy’s night of nights
wouldn’t be the same without a few style slip ups.
We look back over football’s worst red carpet disasters ... and it’s not just the ladies who have been criticised on the carpet.BROWNLOW STYLE QUEEN REVEALS HER RED CARPET SECRETS
TV presenter Laura Csortan in 2001.
For a few years, wearing a novelty AFL Record dress to the Brownlow was about as common as a bride wearing white on her wedding day. The Great Outdoors presenter Csortan, clad herself in fabric made from the AFL Record Grand Final souvenir footy poster. We suppose it would have given her table a fun game of eye spy to play once they got bored listening to the medal count.
Sarita Stella, girlfriend of footballer Brodie Holland in 2002.
In another of the notorious novelty gowns, the wife of Brodie Holland poured herself into a football … literally. Not stopping there, the model accessorised her red leather lace-up Sherin dress with a football-themed handbag.
Fiona Mills at the 2003 Brownlow Medal count.
The Block’s Fiona was used to renovating makeovers, but this dress needed a fashion makeover. The halter-neck gown featured the signatures of all the 2003 skippers.
Actor Blair McDonough with Natalie Bassingthwaighte in 2004.
This pair were not bringing sexy back in 2004 with these unique ensembles. While Nat’s Kookai dress was detailed with a cascading account of the ladder’s top 8, Blair’s dinner shirt was printed with an iconic footballer image.
Kelly Tisdale in the 2005 Brownlow Medal dress.
Surely wearing the medal on your dress is an omen that your partner won’t win the real one? The plus-one of Daniel Giansiracusa teamed with the Brownlow theme in a deep teal green dress embellished with embroidery of the coveted best and fairest prize … unfortunately though it did not make this frock the best or fairest on the red carpet.
Rachel and Andrew Mcleod in 2006.
Andrew McLeod’s wife was so proud of his on-field performance for the year, she branded her back with his number for the big night. Obviously it was sparkly to fit the black tie dress code.
Tania Minnici's famous G-string dress. Picture: Cameron Tandy
Nathan Buckley’s then-girlfriend showed a fair bit of cheek when she sashayed down the red carpet with her jewel encrusted underwear on show. The attention grabbing look went on to inspire foxy morons Kath and Kim, making it one of the most iconic gowns in Brownlow history.
Leah Hudson in 2003.
At first we thought Leah Hudson was just wearing an interesting, ill-fitting green pants suit, but when she turned around it was so much more … or less.
Natalie Osborne at the 2000 Brownlow Medal.
Leaving little to the imagination, the wife of Richard Osborne channelled her inner Ferrero Rocher on Brownlow night and while the chocolate might be delicious, this dress was not in great taste.
Brynne Edelsten in 2012.
On a night for jocks and frocks, we could always rely on Brynne for the shock. Her ability to reinvent herself every red carpet meant her arrival was one of the most anticipated of the night. In 2012 the blonde bombshell opted for a look that seemingly took inspiration from both The Black Swan and a disco ball. The sartorial equivalent of having vegemite on ice cream … it just didn’t work.
Shane Crawford and partner Olivia Anderson in 2004.
Proving that the blokes aren’t immune to a worst-dressed worthy wardrobe moment, Shane had a shocker in 2004 with this ill-fitting suit in a metallic, Hawthorn-inspired colour palette.
Sarita Stella and Brodie Holland in 2005.
Holland showed a complete lack of respect for the black-tie dress code in this taupe? Biscuit? Neutral? Coloured suit and complimentary tan shoes and golden tie. This suit could very well be responsible for the AFL assigning themselves ‘fashion police’ a few years later, declaring they would refuse entry to players who flout the black tie dress code.