Celebrities hit the birdcage at Flemington for Derby Day 2017

PEOPLE were wondering whether Karl Stefanovic would attend Derby Day, after he was a no-show at the Caulfield Cup amid drama.

DESPITE early showers and a cold start, celebrities have flocked to the Birdcage at Flemington, kicking off the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival in style.

Karl Stefanovic, 43, has joined his girlfriend, shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough, 33, in the Emirates marquee, after he was a no-show at the Caulfield Cup amid drama on the Today Show.

Karl Stefanovic and his new girlfriend, model and shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough at Derby Day. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough at Emirates.

Fashion blogger and Flemington veteran Nadia Bartel was one of the first to arrive at the track, wearing a white Dion Lee dress and wide brim Melissa Jackson hat, which blew off in the chilly wind.

“Theres no way I’d change my outfit for the weather,” she told AAP.

“I’ll just be cold!”

Celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson says no one will stray from the traditional black and white dress code.

“I think we’ll be seeing lots of jumpsuits, lots of wide brim hats,” she said.

“It’s a hat day 100 per cent.”

Kate Peck in the Mumm Marquee.

Melissa George. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The Block winner Elyse Knowles. Picture: Alex Coppel.

While there are no international stars on the Derby Day guest list, plenty of Australian exports have flown in, including singer Natalie Imbruglia, actor Melissa George and models Shanina Shaik and Robyn Lawley.

Imbruglia will perform her hit song “Torn”, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year, in the Sensis marquee.

Jennifer Hawkins at the Myer Marquee. Picture: AAP

Rachael Finch at the Myer Marquee in the Birdcage.

Channel Seven’s Edwina Bartholomew, ready for Derby Day. Picture: Instagram

Sylvia Jeffreys and Richard Wilkins will be guests of the Lavazza marquee, along with a sea of AFL footballers.

Gary Ablett will attend “Palazzo Lavazza” in his first appearance since his Geelong homecoming was finalised, joining Marcus Bontempelli, Nat Fyfe, Joel Selwood and young-gun Christian Petracca, who will be working the coffee machine.

Jodi Anasta wearing a dress by designer Tony Maticevski at the Myer Marquee in the Birdcage. Picture: AAP

Pip Edwards in the Mumm Marquee. Picture: AAP

Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin, whose Dusty Boys syndicate of a group of Tigers players owns a stake in Victoria Derby contender Main Stage, is on the guest list at both Lavazza and Myer.

The notoriously-shy midfielder is not a sure thing to turn up at Flemington, but if he does, come 3.50pm he will most likely be found in the mounting yard watching the $1.5 million race.

Hamish Blake and Andy Lee at the Myer Marquee in the Birdcage. Picture: AAP

Meanwhile, Myer remains the home of fashion, hosting Jennifer Hawkins, Rebecca Judd and Jodi Anasta, as well as designers Toni Maticevski, Yeojin Bae and Wayne Cooper.

Australian actress Zoe Ventura flew in from Los Angeles for the day and says she’s thrilled to be home.

“I’m looking forward to the people watching today, the fashion,” she told AAP.

— with AAP