No-frills chic: Derby Day fashions deliver power points

Predictions of a troupe of balletcore-inspired tutu-clad princesses descending on the Birdcage at Flemington for Derby Day failed to materialise, with streamlined looks sporting angular details dominating the celebrity set, led by visiting Australian model Abbey Lee at the Lexus marquee.

On the day with the most defined dress code of the carnival, black looks outnumbered white by a ratio of three to one. Lindy Klim, having just relocated to Melbourne from Bali, was wearing a lingerie-inspired Dolce & Gabbana dress that leaned heavily into trends from the European runways. But elsewhere, classic racewear reigned, with peplums, polka dots and pillbox hats aplenty.

These were some of the best looks from around the grounds.

Melissa Leong

Melissa Leong at Lexus in Maticevksi.Credit: Eddie Jim

Dress: Maticevski
Millinery: Scanlan Theodore

Former MasterChef host Melissa Leong dressed for Derby Day with optimism in mind. “I think that there’s a little bit of joy coming back to the way people are dressing and feeling,” she said. In a finely pleated dress from Melbourne designer Toni Maticevski, the fashion devotee said she is a stickler for racewear’s dress codes. “I really like the rules because it gives a structure that you build around or at least subvert.” The rules had slightly more structure than the dress, which took on a life of its own in the Flemington wind. “It’s a bit feminine and a bit flirty and works really well in the breeze,” she said. Damien Woolnough

Georgia Fowler

Model Georgia Fowler in Sportmax and Ezara J millinery.Credit: Eddie Jim

Dress, shoes: Sportmax
Millinery: Ezara J

By the time most people shake their Derby hangover, model Georgia Fowler, who was at Penfolds, will be on a return flight to New York after a quick 48-hour visit to Melbourne. So, what’s the secret to surviving the long-haul flight and still looking this good? “I make sure I get a good night’s sleep on the plane. Flying without children is a bit like a holiday,” said the mother of two. Fowler’s sleek strapless dress with an “abstract bow” had the look of leather, but on closer inspection turned out to be a brushed, sueded satin. Melissa Singer

Abbey Lee

Australian supermodel turned actor Abbey Lee wearing vintage Mugler in the Landmark by Lexus marquee on Derby Day.Credit: Eddie Jim

Dress: Vintage Mugler
Millinery: Noel Stewart

Former supermodel Iman (Mrs David Bowie) is a tough act to follow, but Abbey Lee knows her way around a vintage gown. “It was worn on the runway in 1989 by Iman,” Lee said. “I feel like I’m stepping into solid shoes.” The Melbourne-born model and veteran of Gucci, Saint Laurent and Chanel campaigns, who recently starred opposite Kevin Costner in the western Horizons, was the special guest of the Landmark by Lexus marquee. Lee was attracted to the angular structure and masculine tailoring references of the dress. “I like to feel strong.” Damien Woolnough

Kate Waterhouse

Fringe benefits: Kate Waterhouse wearing Scanlan Theodore in the Landmark by Lexus marquee.Credit: Eddie Jim

Dress: Scanlan Theodore
Millinery: Ezara J

Racing royalty Kate Waterhouse stuck with the lighter side of the Derby Day dress code in a cream dress with white fringing from Scanlan Theodore. “I feel like you can either do all white, all black or monochrome on these days,” Waterhouse said. The fringed material was snapped up by Scanlan founder Gary Theodore. “I fell in love with it straight away.” Waterhouse is at home throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival, but Derby Day is her favourite style stretch. “Everyone looks elevated.” And that’s before the first champagne. Damien Woolnough

Rebecca Harding

On point: Rebecca Harding in Sportmax.Credit: Eddie Jim

Dress: Sportmax
Millinery: Stylist’s own

Fashion personality Rebecca Harding, fiancee of TV personality Andy Lee, looked like the cat – or the rabbit, given the neckline of her Sportmax dress – that got the cream when asked about her millinery. “It’s actually a pair of stockings. My stylist [Jess Pecoraro] had a very clear vision of what she wanted [on my head] and we couldn’t find it, but we did find it in the sock drawer ... which her mum cut up and sewed together,” she says. Meanwhile, Lee was enthusiastically spruiking the economics of Harding’s choice of headwear. “It’s nice to counteract all the other expensive things,” he joked.

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