The last time Dee Salmin wore the skirt she donned for Monday’s Brownlow red carpet, the radio presenter and podcaster was in high school. “For my year 12 formal, I got a vintage dress off Etsy for $20, and I am a huge fan of upcycling, so I thought why not use that dress and turn it into a skirt for the Brownlow?” Salmin said. Cementing their status as the AFL’s first couple of style, Salmin and her partner, Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore, led a Brownlow red carpet that was high on glamour, but mostly low on risks.
Pairing her lavender skirt with a halter top made of stained-glass shards by Melbourne designer Poppy Templeton, with additional jewels by Millie Savage, Salmin’s look evoked the spirit of French designer Christian Lacroix, whose bejewelled jacket, reportedly worth $US10,000 ($14,700) at the time, graced Anna Wintour’s first cover of Vogue , in 1988. “It’s heavy, it’s definitely leaving a bit of a dent in my neck, but it’s so stunning, and I am so excited to wear it,” Salmin said of the top. While many of the Brownlow gowns would retail for thousands of dollars – most are supplied by the designers free of charge in exchange for the publicity and marketing opportunities – Salmin was proud to show off her vintage finds, including her $30 shoes and vintage glass bag, which she sourced just two weeks ago.
Moore also tested the boundaries of the black-tie dress code in a custom suit by Christian Kimber that included a green shirt and tie comb.