Splashes of colour dominated the Birdcage as Melbourne’s fashion set flocked to Flemington. From vivid turquoises to metallic hot pinks, this is what the celebrities were wearing.
Bold and beautiful colour burst through the Birdcage at Flemington as the sun shone down on the grateful glamour crowd.
Pinks from hot to bright magenta and dusty dominated Melbourne Cup fashion, as well as varying shades of red, green, yellow and blue.
The celebrity set, sensing it may be the best bet of the weather for the Melbourne Cup Carnival week, stepped out in fun and fabulous racing looks in keeping with the tradition of the day.
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Lady Kitty Spencer had heads turning from the minute she entered the Birdcage as a guest of Lexus, elevating race wear fashion to the next level in Roland Mouret dress and incredible Stephen Jones headpiece.
Rebecca Harding took the racing theme and ran with it in a stunning red carpet worthy Paolo Sebastian strapless dress, complete with embroidered carousel ponies.
Crystal Kimber in gold Torrance and Georgia Love in magenta Jason Grech rocked 80s inspired shoulder pads and metallic shimmer.
Rachael Finch was red hot in sleek Roland Mouret dress and striking brimmed hat by Melissa Jackson, while Carrie Bickmore rocked a single shoulder red dress by Meraki Official.
“I’ve been to the races a few times but this is our first working here with The Project and the radio show. I really enjoy getting out of the studio and doing something different. It’s a bit unknown and fun,” she said.
Bold yellow was also a feature trackside, most stunning on Nadia Bartel in a Safiyaa pantsuit and Melissa Jackson hat, as well as on Jesinta Franklin who was sporting the best accessory of all, her baby bump.
“It’s a bit different dressing the bump. I feel really good and really healthy at the moment,” she said.
“I’m feeling lots of kicks, this little one has long legs so I think it’s going to take after dad.”
Playing for Keeps star Olympia Valance, who was accompanied by her AFL star boyfriend Tom Bellchambers, was super stylish in magenta and white Toni Maticevski.
Bride-to-be Brit Davis defied the superstition that green is bad luck trackside stepping out in elegant emerald custom Atoir dress and metallic gold bow by Ezara J.
Fellow Geelong WAG Emma Hawkins raided her mum’s wardrobe for the gorgeous red coat she wore over her pretty pink Acler dress.
Pink prints were also a popular with Emma Freedman mixing metallics in a Rotate jacket dress and Dancing With the Stars judge Sharna Burgess in custom Eliya The Label.
Tegan Martin opted for a tiered burnt orange gown with lace detailing by Elliatt, paired with a black boater hat.
Elyse Knowles, who was wearing a figure hugging leopard print dress by House of CB said she was pleased to see both the sun and the sartorial spirit of the punters shining
“Cup Day is definitely my favourite day for fashion watching because it’s the perfect day to express your personality and be creative with your outfit,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lady Kitty Spencer caught up with royalty of another kind, meeting Melbourne Cup contender Prince of Arran ahead of the big race today.
The 28-year-old niece of the late Princess Diana — her father Earl Spencer’s sister — and first cousin to Princes William and Harry, was excited to meet the seven-year-old gelding.
“It was really lovely to see some of the horses and hold the cup. He was so well behaved. He’s such a sweetheart, I’ll definitely be betting for him,” she said.
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Spencer, who is a guest of Lexus and the Victoria Racing Club, jetted into town over the weekend and wasted no time in catching up with old friends and making the most of Melbourne’s restaurants.
True to Melbourne Cup fashion tradition, she is planning on sporting a bold colour trackside tomorrow from designer Roland Mouret and a headpiece by English milliner Stephen Jones.
KIWI RAIDER SWOOPS ON FASHIONS ON THE FIELD CROWN
A New Zealand raider has trumped hundreds of fashionistas to scoop the top prize at Myer Fashions on the Field — despite never having attended a Melbourne Cup before.
Contestants created a sea of colour in the final of the prestigious fashion event and many displayed their creative flair by whipping up their own outfits — or outsourcing the task to their talented mothers — with longer hemlines and dramatic voluminous sleeves among the standout styles.
In the millinery department, gravity-defying headwear lived up to its flamboyant Cup Day reputation as oversized floral blooms and bows, wide-brim flying-saucer styles, feathery plumes and pompoms made stylish statements.
Carena West, from Auckland, took out the top prize.
The passionate horse rider started making her outfit several months ago, using fabric from a traditional Uzbekistani dress before discovering she would be five months pregnant for Melbourne Cup Day.
Charming the judging panel in the shimmering geometric print gown with green and feathered halo-style headpiece, Ms West now edges closer to winning a slice of Australia’s richest fashion prize, returning on Oaks Day to compete for a place in the National Final.
Trackside punters also added to the riot of colour for Melbourne Cup Day.
Wigs made of bath loafers and rainbow suits made up some of the wild and wacky outfits brightening up the race that stops a nation.
The glamorous “Scrubettes” turned heads trackside at Flemington Racecourse.
Co-ordinated in matching tulle skirts and wigs, this group has been bringing joy to the track since 2004.
Brooke Kirkhan, Trudy Johnsen, Kerry MacDonald, Tanya Van Tricht and Rachel Gniatkiewicz — from Melbourne’s southeast — said they aimed to entertain.
“Our outfits are always bright and vibrant,” Ms Johnsen said.
Friends Evie Robinson and Tracey Wenske made their Melbourne Cup debut in jockey outfits.
From South Australia, the women said playing dress-ups was as close as they’d get to being a professional rider.
“We are too heavy to be jockeys,” laughed Ms Wenske.
Punters Juddy Leyton and Luke Simmons were hoping for a win.
Dressed in matching pink and blue suits, the pair clutched what they hoped was a lucky betting ticket from the side of the tracks.
- Anna Byrne, Aneeka Simonis
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