Inside the Birdcage at Flemington, where everyone's a winner

Big-name sponsors have spared no expense at this year’s Birdcage enclosure at Flemington. Here’s how well-heeled guests will revel in luxury during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Diva Liza Minnelli once declared she “didn’t do stairs” and was carried into a marquee by burly dancers. A purple haired Moonee Ponds megastar Dame Edna Everage once broke out in song and plonked gladioli into champagne buckets. Nicole Kidman was even our very own My Fair Lady among the roses amid a scrum of baying media.

Welcome to the Birdcage enclosure at Flemington racecourse, the Victoria Racing Club’s VIP menagerie, a place of unrivalled extravagance and hedonism with big named sponsors sparing no expense as their well-heeled guests lap up the life of luxury throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Jess Gomes dressed in Toni Maticevski with the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Picture: David Caird

Australian model Jess Gomes says she loves attending the Birdcage during the racing season. Attending this year as an exclusive guest of the Landmark by Lexus pavilion, Gomes gave the Herald Sun an exclusive sneak peak before the gates officially open. Hinting she can’t help but play favourites, the three-storey spot on prime real estate on what’s dubbed “millionaires row” looking out on the famed Flemington racetrack really is the best place to be seen.

“I think it is a great time to celebrate in Australia, especially in Melbourne,” Gomes said inside the lavish Lexus pavilion on Wednesday.

“I have always been a bit of a fan of the races. I don’t really gamble or punt to be honest, I’m really just here for the fashion,” she laughed holding the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy as nervous minders looked on at the 18c yellow gold handcrafted trophy which itself weighs 3.8kilos. “Giddy up!”

Models Sophie, Amer, Penny and Holly at the VRC Fashions on the Field launch at The Park Flemington Racecourse. Picture: David Caird

Derby Day

Traditional black and white dress code, but you don’t need to wear both, you can go head to toe in one or the other. Strong statements, a sophisticated day.

Sophie wears Alamour the Label jumpsuit and Millinery Jill. Picture: David Caird

Cup Day

Colour. Everyone thinks go bold, but it doesn’t have to be over the top, mix and match colours, or try a print and bring strong millinery!

Model Penny wears Helsa and Ezara millinery. Picture: David Caird

Oaks Day

Soft and feminine. Think pastels, or even a white, but soften with accessories or mixed metals and millinery, millinery, millinery.

Holly wears Rachel Gilbert and Stephanie Spencer millinery. Picture: David Caird

Stakes Day

Casual and relaxed. Flowy dresses, or try and shirt and pant, but have fun and accessorise. but if it’s the only day you are coming don’t be afraid to go bold!

Amer wears Ardor and Millinery Jill. Picture: David Caird

Birdcage favourites form guide:

LEXUS

With the best views of the track, the three-storey Landmark by Lexus is the place to be and to be seen. With Hollywood heavyweight Matt Damon last year punting up a storm, the people watching is next level. With a focus on contemporary luxury, chef and owner of acclaimed Atlas Dining, Charlie Carrington will be serving up his culinary delights in the downstairs dining destination, with a spotlight on sustainability in the pavilion’s Future Catalyst 35 theme. Think luxury and sophistication plus.

Peta Bell wears Eve Til Dawn millinery for VRC Fashions on the Field launch. Picture: David Caird

CROWN

Returning to the Birdcage enclosure bigger and bolder on the much sought after corner on ”millionaires row”, this year’s Crown Marquee is not cutting corners. After returning as a naming sponsor for Crown Oaks Day a mix of high-rollers, celebrities like Bec Judd and captains of industry, will rub shoulders in the three-storey marquee with ground floor lounges for the betting types to unwind, a first level of lively entertainment and a top floor of views and gourmet delights. Think caviar bumps and freshly shucked oysters. But wait there is more, with hairdresser-to-the-stars Joey Scandizzo and makeup artist Jade Kisnorbo offering touch-ups each race day at the new Crown Salon.

Stylist Alicia Marshall. Picture: David Caird

PENFOLDS

Celebrating it’s 180th year, the Australian winemaker’s marquee has the longest bar in the Birdcage, spanning 14 metres with more than 6000 glasses of wine to be poured across the four days from The Penfolds Collection including Bin 51 Eden, Valley riesling and Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, and it will be served in style with none other than Melbourne Football Club star Christian Petracca on hand and pouring with each wine tasting paired with a special jelly cube.

G.H. MUMM

Always with the most extravagant and opulent of marquees with past years themes once craning in a life-size pool and a rocket ship, think no expense spared. This year it’s all aboard a private jet with the official champagne sponsor giving a nod to luxury travel across the altitudes. ‘Now Boarding” is G.H Mumm’s largest scale marquee to date, which is saying something, incorporating a never-before-seen structure with rolled gold, yes most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon officially opening with a Tap Tap moment. Cheers!

Milliner Jill Humphries wears her own design Millinery Jill. Picture: David Caird

CLUB ROSADO: DON JULIO

A pink hued parlour with pulsing beats, top tequila brand Don Julio knows how party. Revellers can dial in the Rosado Phone Box to enter a ‘hidden experience” and escape for some party-off time and be treated to a secret service. Tequila!

AND don’t forget the roughies:

FURPHY

It’s frothy time at Furphy with the official beer partner creating a Victorian-style pub in the Birdcage, it is the place loved by our footballers, jocks and those with a form guide firmly planted in their back pocket.

Angela Menz wears her own creation. Picture: David Caird

TAB

No pollies allowed! CEO Gillon McLachlan might have banned our freebie-loving politicians from the bookmaker giant’s marquee this year, but he will be making his mark, front and centre with a new look two-storey marquee and atrium and broadcasting the Cup into 68 countries around the world.

THE PAMPER LOUNGE

Makeup artist and Runway Room founder Alex Fevola and her stylish daughter Mia will be providing touch ups to give you a racing glow up.

LUCKY’S

Think good times, music and culinary hits with the VRC offering a homage to the Hong-Kong style BBQ chop-shops from yesteryear. Because who doesn’t need a piping hot dim sum to soak up the suds.

Originally published as Inside the Birdcage at Flemington, where everyone's a winner