The Melbourne Cup best dressed: Out of the red and into the pink

Shades of red were the panacea to the black and white of Derby Day, with racing personality Kate Waterhouse, model and former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers, influencer Tayla Broad and radio host Lauren Phillips all hitting the bold type key with their outfits.

But it was celebrities who veered away from the script who stood out most. Here are some of the best looks.

Nicky Hilton and Rebecca Vallance

Nicky Hilton and designer Rebecca Vallance in Rebecca Vallance at the Landmark by Lexus marquee.Credit: Eddie Jim

In terms of style glow-ups, US heiress Nicky Hilton gives Celine Dion and Margot Robbie a run for their money while wearing Manolo Blahnik heels.

With her sister Paris, Nicky caused a stir at the Melbourne Cup 21 years ago in peak noughties dresses.

Hilton’s eye-catching heels.Credit: Getty Images

But with Australian designer Rebecca Vallance by her side, Nicky redeemed herself in a ladylike butter yellow outfit with a pleated skirt, and jewellery borrowed from her mum Kathy Hilton.

“You wouldn’t think matching things with yellow would be so easy,” Nicky says.

Vallance, in bubblegum pink, was the perfect accompaniment. Together, the pair watched racegoers wearing dresses from the capsule collection they collaborated on as closely as the horses. Damien Woolnough

Jacqui Felgate, radio announcer

3AW’s Felgate wearing Alessandra Rich clover-print midi-dress, Maison Michel hat and Scanlan Theodore shoes.Credit: Eddie Jim

The pink clover-print midi-dress from one of Princess Catherine’s favourite designers, Alessandra Rich, is a style step-up for radio host Jacqui Felgate. When Felgate entered Fashion’s on The Field, years before finding her deft style footing in Scanlan Theodore heels, she made an unusual choice. “That was split down to my belly button,” Felgate says. “Not a good look. ”

The demure approach to day wear was completed with a veiled pink pillbox from Maison Michel. “It is wonderful to see people embracing traditional millinery again ... I’ve been a journalist for 20 years but if I wasn’t, I would love to have been a stylist.” Damien Woolnough

Lekaiya Rabbit, model

Lekaiya Rabbit wearing Peacock Millinery and Ikuntji Artists.Credit: Penny Stephens

It was a day of firsts at Flemington, with a hajib-wearing entrant in Fashions on the Field, and 18-year-old model Lekaiya Rabbit representing her Northern Territory community of Maningrida with pride – and stopping traffic in the Birdcage in her dress, a collaboration between Inkuntji Artists and dressmaker Jo Dunne-Politis.

Milliner Belinda Osbourne of Peacock Millinery, who created Rabbit’s hat, was inspired by a recent trip to the Top End. “Indigenous fashion really has a spotlight on it,” she says. “It’s so important that everybody who has a voice is heard. And that extends to the Birdcage as well – this is high-end.” Melissa Singer

Gabriella Pereira, Beare Park creative director

Gabriella Pereira in her own design with a Bottega Veneta bag, “borrowed from Mum”. Credit: Eddie Jim

“I know that you’re meant to be colourful but surely being pared back and elegant counts for something,” says Beare Park designer Gabriella Pereira.

On a Cup Daywhen half the Birdcage wore racing cosplay in lipstick red, Pereira’s backless dress in a silhouette borrowed from The Great Gatsby era was an understated tonic.

With a Bottega Veneta handbag “borrowed from Mum” and vintage earrings, Pereira was embracing the trend towards sustainability. “If someone wants to give me a sustainability award...” Damien Woolnough

Chantelle Ford, milliner

Queen of comfort … milliner Chantelle Ford.Credit: Getty

Milliner Chantelle Ford proved you don’t need to wear a dress to have a winning cup outfit. But it was actually a foot injury, not King Charles, that inspired her safari suit look. Being a milliner, Ford settled on her hat first, then her shoes.

“I needed to be able to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes,” she says. Then it was off to the shops, where she found her outfit at Cue.

“There are a lot of guidelines [about what to wear], which is wonderful, but you can really push that brief to make sure you ... have your own spin on things.” Melissa Singer

Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.