Return to glamour: what the best dressed people wore to Melbourne Cup this year
Melbourne Cup, traditionally the boldest and brightest fashion race day of the Spring Carnival at Melbourne’s Flemington racetrack, has not disappointed.
Melbourne Cup, traditionally the boldest and brightest fashion race day of Spring Carnival, has not disappointed.
For sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer, the twin nieces of the late Princess Diana, it was an honour to attend their first Melbourne Cup as special guests of the Victorian Racing Club.
Their attendance as ambassadors follows a family tradition, elder sister Kitty was a guest at the Melbourne Cup in 2019 and Princess Diana attended the Cup in 1985.
The pair said they were well-briefed from sister Kitty on what to expect.
“Kitty said that everyone in Australia is just so warm and happy and welcoming and social, you know, and fun to be around,” Lady Amelia told Vogue Australia in an interview ahead of their arrival.
“She said we might not want to come back,” Lady Eliza said.
Lady Amelia said it was a thrill to see the “bright and beautiful” fashion on the day, while Lady Eliza added that the sisters were excited to wear and discover Australian fashion brands.
Already familiar with Australian powerhouse brands such as Zimmermann and Rebecca Vallance, the sisters both opted for vivid red dresses by Cappellazzo Couture - an atelier that designs and makes its collections in Melbourne. Lady Amelia wore a headpiece and earrings by Stephanie Browne and Lady Amelia, millinery by Ezara J and a Stephanie Browne jewelled headpiece and earrings.
As Lady Amelia notes, their vibe for the day was “fun, playful, bold and a bit different”. The sisters, who grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, before moving to London in 2021 say they feel an affinity with Australia’s casual, relaxed and confident approach to fashion.
Fashion aside, another highlight of their fleeting trip to Australia?
“Visiting Healesville sanctuary and seeing koalas and kangaroos!” both enthuse.
Stylist Lana Wilkinson, who dressed celebrities such as Kate Twigley of The Amazing Race for the Melbourne Cup (and who dressed Twigley’s sister Bec Judd, as well as Anna Heinrich for Derby Day) says she opted for “60s with a modern twist” for her clients.
Wilkinson says she has noticed a return to glamour trackside this season.
“There is a nod to old Hollywood, traditional racewear with a modern edge. Accessories are really the big accent this year, with statement jewellery, shoes, wide brimmed hats and ballerina bows. Those in attendance have dialled up the glamour this year, it really feels like racing days of old. Fashion is really taking centre stage,” she says.
Glamour was certainly in high supply. Race day style stalwart Kate Waterhouse opted for a more directional look on tailoring with a scalloped lemon Mariam Seddiq tuxedo dress, worn with a white wide-brim hat, Jan Logan jewellery and Bulgari bag. Delta Goodrem played with tailoring with her vibrant pine lime splice gown that cascaded with frills down the front. Matilda’s player Cortnee Vine also opted for a suit with a Sir the Label sherbert pink number.
Pink was a key colour this Melbourne Cup, with LTK managing director and fashion personality Rey Vakili choosing an off-the-shoulder pleated Rebecca Vallance dress in a bubblegum shade, and presenter and model Amy Pejkovic topped off a hot pink strapless and frilled dress with a matching headband. Tomato red was another key hue, with Terry Biviano also opting for the fiery colour, while feminine flourishes could be found in headbands, such as the embellished number worn by supermodel Adut Akech.
Fashion designer Rebecca Vallance says she too noticed plenty of elegant and feminine silhouettes this Spring Carnival, with a focus on luxurious fabrics.
“This year, numerous guests have incorporated structure, shape, and texture into their outfits. Bows have also been a key trend across the carnival and are sure to provide a winning race day look. Whether it’s a bow embellishment on a dress, a bow-adorned headpiece, or playful bows on your shoes, this charming accessory has heavily featured at Flemington this year,” she says.
