Rebecca Judd reflects on the famous red dress that launched her career at the 2004 Brownlow: ‘I can’t believe it’s been 20 years’

It’s been two decades since Rebecca Judd made her red carpet debut at the 2004 Brownlow Medal in a dress that has become iconic.

Rebecca, then a fresh-faced 21-year-old, turned heads and made headlines when she arrived at the prestigious event on the arm of her boyfriend, Chris Judd, wearing a daring red gown.

The dress, by Perth designer Ruth Tarvydas, featured a plunging neckline that dipped below her belly button and a thigh-high split, and was valued at $2,000.

Today, the frock is on display at Crown Melbourne Atrium for the Fashions of Crown exhibition, showcasing the most memorable outfits from the venue’s history. 

The 41-year-old took the opportunity to reflect on the iconic dress.

‘I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I wore the red dress to the Brownlow at Crown,’ she told the Herald Sun. 

‘That night definitely changed my life and I’m forever grateful.’

She continued: ‘I’ve been visiting this incredible place (Crown Melbourne) for the last 20 years for events, parties, even family staycations — it really holds such a special place for me and my family.’ 

It’s been two decades since Rebecca Judd made her red carpet debut at the 2004 Brownlow Medal in a dress that has become iconic. Pictured

The 41-year-old reflected on the dress, telling the Herald Sun: ‘I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I wore the red dress to the Brownlow at Crown’. Pictured with now-husband Chris Judd

The Fashions of Crown costume display, celebrating the venue’s 30th birthday, will be showcased until August 22. 

It comes after the WAG revealed what happened to the gown after she famously walked down the red carpet wearing it before dozens of flashing cameras. 

Unfortunately, Bec admitted that the gown no longer has pride of place in her designer wardrobe.

‘The dress was given to charity which was auctioned off and I have not seen it since that night,’ she told Zen Design.

While flesh-baring frocks are a dime a dozen on the red carpet these days, at the time Bec’s fashion decision raised plenty of eyebrows.

In June, the popular Outspoken podcast, hosted by sisters Amy, Sophie and Kate Taeuber, took a deep dive into Rebecca’s rise to fame, and how she became known as Australia’s preeminent footy WAG.

The Taeubers noted how Bec instantly stole the show, with one explaining: ‘This was 19 years ago. None of us had ever seen a dress like this on the red carpet. It was very risqué for the time.’

Today, the frock is on display at Crown Melbourne Atrium for the Fashions of Crown exhibition, showcasing the most memorable outfits from the venue’s history

Speaking to the Herald Sun at the time, Rebecca said of her famous look: ‘I really didn’t think it would grab that much attention, but I got hounded on the red carpet.

‘Everyone wanted an interview and pictures.’

Chris subsequently told The Herald Sun the 2004 Brownlow was the night Bec became ‘public property’ and their lives changed forever.

‘It did feel like a before and after event. Some wonderful opportunities opened up from it. Life was just very different,’ said Chris, who was just 21 when he won the prestigious Brownlow Medal.

The Judds tied the knot in 2010, and Chris retired from football five years later.

The couple, who live in a $7.3million mansion in Melbourne’s upmarket Brighton, share four children – daughter Billie, nine, son Oscar, 12, and twins Darcy and Tom, seven.

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