Melbourne Cup fashions: What celebrities are wearing for Cup Day at home
Bec Judd has finally revealed her stunning Cup Day outfit after a Melbourne Cup like no other. Celebs and race fans did their best to make it a fashionable affair, despite 2020’s bizarre circumstances.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In an ideal world, Flemington Racecourse would have been teeming with tens of thousands of people enjoying a day of top-class racing, fine food and bubbles, and fabulous fashion.
And while COVID-19 robbed punters of the chance to be trackside for the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup, nothing could stop them celebrating the race that stopped the nation — albeit close to home.
Bec Judd revealed her Cup Day outfit on Wednesday, with the mum of four stepping out in a classy Cappellazzo Couture dress, styled by Lana Wilkinson.
She celebrated the day with friends at The Atlantic at Crown.
HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE MELBOURNE CUP DAY? Share your pics and stories via the submission form below
BONNIE’S POWERFUL ANTHEM FOR VULNERABLE TIMES
Bonnie Anderson says her emotional version of the national anthem at the Melbourne Cup aimed to reflect vulnerable times.
Her powerful acapella reading of Advance Australia Fair, performed at crowdless Flemington Racecourse, got a nationwide thumbs up.
Anderson, who stars in Ten’s popular soap Neighbours, and also won The Masked Singer this year, said: “I’ve put myself in a vulnerable moment (singing the national anthem), but it’s a vulnerable time. I’m always really honoured to do this song.”
She said it was a “weird atmosphere” performing to an empty stadium. “I thought to myself, I’ll sing to the horses.”
Anderson shot to prominence after winning Australia’s Got Talent, aged 12, in 2007.
“The young girl I was then was so full of life,” she said. “I’ve come so far. I stuck with it and fought all these years through the ups and downs.”
Bars and venues across the city are enjoying a bumper day, even with capacity limits, after Melburnians snapped up bookings when restrictions were eased last week.
Interstate Cup events have also proven to be a drawcard, with many events selling out within hours of tickets going on sale.
On a day of glorious sunshine, celebs and plebs alike are getting into the spirit of the day — some even taking the chance to glam up in head-to-toe racewear.
Glamour girls Nadia Bartel, Olivia Molly Rogers and Crystal Kimber met to enjoy a glass of bubbles in the park ahead of the Melbourne Cup today.
Making the most of the magnificent Melbourne weather, they relished getting dressed up and heading out to the Botanic Gardens after months of restrictions.
“After the hard year we’ve had it’s nice to be getting back to seeing people again, to be getting a bit of normality back,” Bartel said.
Olivia was excited to be stepping out in a pop of bold colour, which reflected the joyous nature of the day.
“Of course the one day we can’t go to Flemington, it’s a perfect day. It’s so nice to get your hair and make up down again,” she said.
Fashions on the Field former winner Crystal Kimber wasn’t letting the restrictions dampen her day.
She said despite the warm conditions she was hedging her bets wearing a single sleeve, off the shoulder dress.
“It’s perfect for Melbourne weather, with a sleeve on one side and an exposed shoulder on the other,” she says.
It came as Ali Rauf was announced as winner of the 2020 emerging designer award, in what what ordinarily be Fashions on the Field.
Now in its third year, the prestigious prize recognises outstanding design talent and excellence in the Australian fashion industry, and gives emerging designers the chance to showcase their creativity and innovation to a national audience.
The elegant colour-blocked winning design by Rauf, of Bird Skin, was created to capture the magic of a day at the races with friends and sewn from a zero-waste pattern.
It is the first award announced in this year’s Myer Fashions on Your Front Lawn event.
Meanwhile, Dave Hughes was blown away by the eerie feeling at Flemington with no crowds.
The comedian said it was a day for the ages.
“Very eerie, there’s no one here,’’ he told Confidential after visiting the trackside Channel 10 broadcast.
“The jockeys are saying it’s weird for it to be so silent. It’s crazy, it’s bizarre.
“The first time in 150 years there’s literally nothing to see. To watch the Cup with no one around is history.”
Hughes donned a pink flamingo on his head for the broadcast while chatting about flamingo racing.
He started the day by backing a winner, and was supporting trainer Ciaron Maher who is also from Warrnambool, and his Cup hope Sir Dragonet.
“I put a bet on a horse in the first race I turned up here, called No Restrictions,” Hughes said.
“The irony of that name, it won at 35-1 so I’m already ahead.”
Former NRL WAG and SAS Australia star Arabella Del Busso went all out for her at home Cup Day ensemble.
The flashy brunette channelled J-Lo in a revealing green Versace outfit. She captioned her picture “Melbourne Cup Ready”.
Del Busso posed minus the traditional headwear for racing, but showed off her bronzed complexion and dramatic makeup with stiletto heels and statement drop earrings.
Melbourne Cup champagne sponsor G.H. Mumm has set up its marquee at Sydney’s Pier One Hotel, for guests including Georgia Fowler and Kate Peck.
Model Fowler turned heads in a cream silk suit with a risque neckline that gave onlookers a cheeky glimpse flash of sideboob.
The model added a bold red lip and an oversized hat to finish the look.
SAS Australia star Ali Oetjen also donned a similar outfit, wearing a black blazer dress that puts her bust on full display.
Felllow SAS Australia star and PR guru Roxy Jacenko unveiled a bold race day look en route to a Cup Day event in Coogee, sharing a selfie wearing a camouflage dress from Dior that retails for around $3000.
Lexus Australia ambassador Kate Waterhouse kicked off the festivities at home in a glamorous ensemble.
TV presenter Renee Bargh opted for comfort as she ditched her high heels and went barefoot in photos shared on Instagram.
She said she would be celebrating at home with friends and family.
“Today I’m celebrating @FlemingtonVRC’s Melbourne Cup Day a little differently, at home with my family and friends, barefoot, a picnic and some [champagne],” she wrote.
Sunrise sports reporter Mark Berretta said it was the first Melbourne Cup in 25 years that he had not been at Flemington.
Instead, he would be settling in for an afternoon at Sydney’s The Oaks pub in Neutral Bay.
Home And Away actor Sarah Roberts has the afternoon off shooting the TV soap and has landed a deejaying gig at The Cosmopolitan in Double Bay.
Silvana Philippoussis, model mum of two and wife of former tennis ace Mark Philippoussis, will pop open a bottle of champagne to toast the race that stops a nation.
“I’ve lived in sweat pants and gym gear for the past seven months so it’s nice to be getting glammed up and doing my own hair and make up,’’ Philippoussis said.
Philippoussis says her most memorable Birdcage experience was attending in 2011 when she wore a dress by Melbourne couturiers J’Aton.
During this week she is creating content for the Lexus lifestyle hub which is bringing the Birdcage experience to people at home via its Senses Electrified theme.
“The Birdcage is where it’s always happening so if there is a silver lining it’s that we can all tap into it,’’ she said.
Stylish mum Zana Pali said she would not let the Melbourne Cup pass without some fanfare.
The former My Kitchen Rules contestant is hosting a lavish backyard party with a plasma screen to watch the race.
She has bought a new outfit and expensive diamante-covered face mask exclusively made by designer Con Ilio.
“We have to make the most of it,” she said. “Any excuse to have a party, and the Melbourne Cup is worth the effort.
Here’s how other celebs across Australia are celebrating the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
CELEBS SHARE CUP CELEBRATIONS ON INSTA
TV host Brodie Harper:
Model and Myer Fashions on Your Front Lawn ambassador Oliva Molly Rogers:
Jessie Murphy, wife of AFL star Marc Murphy:
Singer and Myer Fashions on Your Front Lawn ambassador Rob Mills:
READ MORE:
LIVE BLOG: MELBOURNE CUP UPDATES AND RESULTS