If you’re within a 100-metre radius of Crown Melbourne tonight, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter the unmistakable whiff of spray tan mingled with hairspray and just a hint of Baccarat Rouge 540. It can only mean one thing: it’s Brownlow time.

AFL’s night of nights has kicked off, with football players and their partners descending on Crown to celebrate the league’s best and fairest for 2026. Arguably more pressing than the medal recipient is who will score style points on the carpet.

Here, see all the best looks from the Brownlow Medal red carpet.

Arlette Amor, partner to Nick Daicos, demonstrated how to honour Brownlow history while still looking like a million dollars. At first glance, her minimalist white Effie Kats dress is simple and stunning, but then she turns around, and it transforms into something striking courtesy of the plunging backless design and over-the-shoulder train.

Depending on your point of reference, it could be reminiscent of either 90s era Calvin Klein or a more subtle take on Tania Buckley’s iconic 2001 Brownlow dress.

“We wanted the silhouette to feel long and fluid, with the drama coming from the cut and movement of the gown,” says stylist Millie Arnold.

With her hair swept off her face in a simple bun and beauty kept minimal with a subtle smokey eye, Amor looks the epitome of class.

You can always rely on J’Aton Couture to deliver a red carpet moment worth remembering. Rozalia Russian gets the pleasure of wearing one of their designs tonight, in this sumptuous flesh-toned silk voile gown that looks like it’s moulded to her frame.

Intricately knotted and fluidly draped, the dress features engineered corsetry designed to carve and emphasise her silhouette.

“A study in structure, sensuality and movement, where fabric becomes sculpture and the body becomes the canvas,” explains J’Aton designers, Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino.

I have a lot of respect for these women: red carpets are overwhelming and overstimulating for even the most seasoned celebrities. I have extra respect for people like Neila Bontempelli, who gave birth mere weeks ago.

Bontempelli, married to Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli, is wearing a porcelain blue gown with black velvet trim and red feather embellishment by Atalie Studios. It’s stylish and singular in a way that’s refreshing to see on the Brownlow carpet.

“I was inspired by this Wedgwood plate that I thrifted, which features a swan and a cygnet, and it’s called ‘motherhood’,” explains designer Grace Presow.

“Neila has a beautiful nostalgic aesthetic to her personal style, so we’ve really leaned into that.”

This might be the most conservative Brownlow carpet we’ve seen in a while! Not that I’m complaining when modesty looks this sophisticated.

Nurse and partner to Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe, Georgia May also opted for a two-piece look from Cappellazzo Couture, which incorporates a slouchy blazer jacket worn over her ruched silk dress. Styled by Lauren Rugari, they wisely kept her beauty look minimal with a slick up-do and clean makeup that was likely inspired by Hailey Bieber.

This is modern red carpet dressing that feels like it’s speaking to May’s actual taste.

When I was talking to stylists and designers ahead of the Brownlow, multiple referenced ‘old Hollywood glamour’ when describing their inspirations. This isn’t typical of the Brownlow, which often veers sexier than suave, but the young attendees clearly want to demonstrate their range.

Case in point: content creator and presenter Elle Erifilli Rayias, who is wearing a corseted strapless gown from Marquis Bridal in a pastel shade of the very on-trend turquoise. With a sleek side-part blowout and jewels by La Oribeli, she nailed the brief.

“Because she’s young, she’s had so many dare I say sexy, elevated looks and this time we wanted to go really a bit more old school,” explains Lana Wilkinson, who styled again this year after working with her in 2025 on a Bec Judd-inspired red dress. “Old Hollywood is what we’re going for, which is fun because it’s quite a departure from what we did last year.”

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