A "wardrobe malfunction" of Janet Jackson proportions left 2004 Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins wearing little more than a red G-string after half her gold dress dropped to the floor during a Sydney fashion show.

The 20-year-old former rugby cheerleader was modelling the seven-kilogram (15-pound) metallic lace dress at a fashion show for Westfield's shopping centers Thursday when the bottom half snagged on her high heels and fell to the catwalk.

Showing the composure which helped her win the Miss Universe crown in June, Hawkins simply turned on her heels and sauntered back-stage to camera flashes and a few gasps from the audience.

Hawkins recently returned to Australia for the first time since winning the Miss Universe pageant and she was wearing the same lavish evening dress designed for the pageant.

Thursday's mishap was reminiscent of an incident at the American football Superbowl in February when superstar Janet Jackson famously bared a breast during the half-time show.

Managers initially claimed there had been a "wardrobe malfunction", but the singer later apologised for having inserted the "costume reveal" into her show without warning sponsors or the television network which broadcast the performance live.