On Wednesday evening, a host of glamorous wives and girlfriends will storm the coveted Dally M Medal red carpet alongside their NRL star husbands.
And while it is rugby league’s night of nights, the real show will take place outside as the women deliver a striking sartorial display at the stunning Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay.
For those watching at home it may look like a breeze, but in reality, the women and their glam squads have been carefully planning every moment for the past six weeks.
Here FEMAIL speaks to celebrity stylist Donny Galella about the elaborate process as he prepares to style 20 women ahead of the ceremony.
Celebrity stylist Donny Galella will style 20 women ahead of tonight’s Dally M Medal
Pictured is one of the accessories areas he has prepared in his ‘Style Suite’ at the Park Hyatt
‘I get each client to fill out an extensive “Style Survey”, so I can establish what she loves and what she will feel most comfortable wearing,’ he said (pictured with clients in 2017)
‘I will have a “Style Suite” set up in the Park Hyatt to help 20 women get ready for the red carpet,’ Donny said.
‘The process began about six weeks ago, hunting for the perfect gowns. I get each client to fill out an extensive “Style Survey”, so I can establish what she loves and what she will feel most comfortable wearing.
‘I find out what styles that they like and what colours. I really need to get inside of their heads to help determine what style of gown, will make them feel most confident.
‘I then begin the fittings process, making sure each client gets multiple options to choose from.’
‘There will be a whole army of hair (by TIGI Australia) and make up artists,’ he said
‘Tonight I will have jewels and clutches allocated for them and oversee their hair and makeup,’ Donny said
Last week, Donny found himself in his suite surrounded by 85 stunning gowns – each of them carefully handpicked.
‘The Dally M Medal is the perfect opportunity to allow young Aussie designers the chance to have their big red carpet moment. For me, it’s not about top end couture or fancy designers, it is about the woman wearing it,’ he said.
‘My clients may be “WAGs” but really they are real women, most are young mums, most will have concerns about their body. I want to make sure they feel bloody incredible and confident on the red carpet.
‘I don’t care if the dress is not a fancy label. If it looks good on them, complements their body shape, highlights their best assets and they are feeling themselves, that is all that matters.’
‘I don’t care if the dress is not a fancy label. If it looks good on them, complements their body shape, highlights their best assets and they are feeling themselves, that is all that matters,’ he said
Pictured is Brittney Croker – wife of Jarrod Croker – on the red carpet after being styled by Donny in 2017
Donny is there on the night to make sure all the looks are photographed perfectly (pictured)
Donny said some of the looks at previous ceremonies haven’t quite hit the mark.
‘Watching the Brownlow Medal, I saw some ladies wearing top end couture but I felt they did not look confident – the gowns swallowing up their beautiful frames. I feel a woman should wear a dress, the dress should not wear the woman,’ he said.
I feel a woman should wear a dress, the dress should not wear the woman.
‘Tonight I will have jewels and clutches allocated for them and oversee their hair and makeup. I will have a team of six people helping me including a seamstress on site with any last minute alterations.
‘Plus there will be a whole army of hair (by TIGI Australia) and make up artists.’
Donny will be styling 20 women including model Tegan Martin, Brittney Croker and Carley Widdop.
Donny will be styling 20 women including model Tegan Martin (right), Brittney Croker and Carley Widdop
‘My clients may be “WAGs” but really they are real women,’ he said
‘Tegan will be wearing a Melbourne couturier called Cassandra Renee. We are going for a very fashion forward look, it will be a pant/gown combination and I am so excited for this look,’ he said.
‘The colour is so unique and spectacular and I have had earrings custom made by Affinity Diamonds to match the dress and Tony Bianco shoes complete the modern look.
‘Brittney will turn heads in a bold orange gown by Daniel Avakian – this couture gown has been hand made in a stunning Italian crepe fabric.
‘Carly Widdop will wear Cassandra Renee couture, I fell in love with its embroidery and detail.’