Crown fascinators and mesh dresses rule Derby Day

FASHION was the real winner at this year’s Derby Day where celebrities went for lace and statement headpieces to class up the day.

THE WEATHER sizzled and so did the celebrities, with fashion and horse racing competing to be the centre of Derby Day attention today.

Keeping to the traditional black and white dress code, Australia’s beautiful and famous flocked to Flemington’s Birdcage where the fanciest of marquees put on parties most can only dream of.

Derby Day always sets the benchmark for racegoer fashion and 2016 was no different.

This year was all about classic styling, mesh and lace-accented dresses and showstopping fascinators with many stars sporting crown-like headdresses to race day.

The flawless Jennifer Hawkins arrived with husband Jake Wall and went for an all-black ensemble from Toni Maticevski and channelled her Miss Universe days with a royal-like headband from Viktoria Novak.

Hawkins was also quick to respond to the emergence of a video where Donald Trump ridicules the model.

Scott Eastwood and Samantha Jade. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Just on that whole subject, Donald and his family I have to say, have always been respectful to me,” she told Newscorp Australia.

Hollywood heart throb Scott Eastwood was also in attendance as a guest of Sensis. He’s currently in Australia to shoot Pacific Rim 2. Also spotted in the Sensis marquee was X Factor winner Samantha Jade.

Hawkins stunned in an all-black ensemble.

Eastwood also took to Instagram to voice his excitement about heading to the Birdcage for Melbourne’s spring racing carnival.

TV presenter Rebecca Judd followed suit with her fascinator statement, donning a golden, crown of thorns-inspired headband.

Judd in her crown-of-thorns like headdress.

Hawkins also went for a crown headdress.

Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt arrived hand-in-hand with wife Bec Hewitt, who wore an elegant black dress, a netted veil across the face and kept to the black and white theme with a necklace of bright, white pearls.

Australia’s Next Top Model judge Megan Gale went for an out of the ordinary, elegant look with her black long-sleeve dress embroidered with white flowers.

2016 Derby Day races at Flemington. Megan Gale. Picture: Jason Edwards

Lace and mesh accents were a popular look for the day with model and actress Jodi Gordon donning a lengthy, white gown complete with plenty of mesh cutouts and had most of her hair pulled back with a white bandana-style headdress.

Sports Illustrated model Jessica Gomes also went for a mesh look, covering her entire face with tight black netting.

Jessica Gomes’ entire face was covered with netting.

Jodi Anasta wore an interesting bandana.

Racing royalty Kate Waterhouse was also in attendance in a lengthy black number and incredibly detailed fascinator.

Model and soon-to-be mum Rachael Finch wore a figure hugging black and white number that perfectly showed off her growing baby bump.

Rachael Finch’s dress was completely white on the back and black on the front.

Racing royalty Kate Waterhouse.

Basketball star Liz Cambage shone in an all white-number with a floral headpiece before she made her DJ debut in the Lavazza marquee.

Michelle Payne, the 2015 winner of the Melbourne Cup, wore a fun white number complete with black mesh detailing and donned a silver fern fascinator, a nod to her horse Queen of Zealand.

Her three-year old finny, which she also trained, finished second last in its race.

Jockey Michelle Payne poses with the Melbourne Cup.

Liz Cambage with music personality Danny Clayton.

Over 100,000 people attended the day, bringing fashion and fun to a day already graced with perfect weather.

Karl Stefanovic declined an invitation to the Lexus marquee, however his co-host Lisa Wilkinson was in attendance.

Bachelor winner Alex Nation attended with her beau Richie Strahan while supermodel Nicole Trunfio stunned in a sheer, mesh detailed dress complete with a wide-brimmed statement hat.

Supermodel Nicole Trunfio.

Bachelor sweethearts Richie Strahan and Alex Nation.

Radio personality Andy Lee wore an extremely similar checkered suit to chef Curtis Stone whose only point of difference seemed to be their ties.

Curtis Stone in the Emirates marquee.

Andy Lee poses at the Myer Marquee.

Soccer star and Australia’s leading goal scorer Tim Cahill also went for a checkered suit while Shane Warne kept a relatively low-key profile, attending with his son Jackson.

Shane Warne holding the Melbourne Cup with his son Jackson. Photo: SDP Media

Tim Cahill.

Myer’s Fashion on the Field was also a hotly contested affair this year but was eventually taken out by Gunita Kenina, who admitted the lacy dress was her first designer purchase.

Myer Fashions on the Field Women's Racewear competition winner Gunita Kenina and Runners Up Stacey Hanley and Tanya Lazarou.