The AFL’s night of nights delivered plenty of fashion moments, but none turned heads quite like Annalise Dalins.
The fiancée of Collingwood star Josh Daicos arrived at the Brownlow Medal red carpet wearing a custom ensemble featuring nearly $1 million worth of diamonds. As the couple prepares for their upcoming wedding, their high-profile appearance quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the evening, blending elite sport with high-end luxury fashion.
A Million-Dollar Red Carpet Statement
Stepping out for her fifth Brownlow Medal appearance, Dalins wore a jaw-dropping black gown designed by Alin Le’Kal. The striking dress featured a sheer black skirt paired with a structured corset bodice, engineered to make a bold stylistic statement.
To elevate the look, Dalins accessorized with custom Temelli diamond jewellery, including statement earrings and an elaborate ring. In total, she was adorned in 40 carats of diamonds carrying a staggering price tag of almost $1 million.
According to the designer, crafting the custom gown required five days of intense work and significant overtime to ensure every detail was immaculate. Le'Kal noted that after reviewing Dalins' past red carpet styles, they deliberately chose a darker, sexier direction that marked a complete departure from her previous appearances, signaling a mature and daring evolution in her public fashion choices.
Why It Matters: The Business of AFL Fashion
The convergence of elite Australian Rules Football and high-end couture has steadily transformed the Brownlow red carpet into a major economic and media driver. For designers like Le'Kal and jewellers like Temelli, dressing high-profile AFL power couples offers unmatched mainstream exposure and commercial leverage.
For players like Josh Daicos and their partners, carefully curated red carpet appearances help build personal brand value and off-field commercial partnerships. The meticulous planning behind Dalins' million-dollar look underscores how modern AFL events operate similarly to international award shows, where fashion, PR, and sports media heavily intersect.
Building Up to a Massive Wedding and What’s Next
Beyond the glitz of the red carpet, the event marks a whirlwind period for the couple. Dalins and Daicos are set to tie the knot in November, following a two-year engagement that the Collingwood midfielder admits has passed in a flash.
The couple is currently balancing final wedding preparations alongside several high-profile social commitments, including the upcoming Melbourne Cup spring racing carnival, before they finally exchange vows. For Daicos, the football season's conclusion also brings focus back to club commitments, while the pair's expanding public profile ensures they will remain one of the AFL's most closely watched couples as they transition into married life.
