The circus is back in town: Stunts nearly outnumber style at Derby Day

A hat that needed its own transport, a jacket that weighed as much as a sack of potatoes, and more ostrich feathers than the set of Hey, Hey, It’s Saturday, this was a Derby Day that was high on theatrics as the beautiful people of the Birdcage plumed their way back to photographic prominence after a two-year hiatus.

Despite a hot rumour that Thor himself, the actor Chris Hemsworth, might make an appearance, it turned out to be one of the many Birdcage urban legends of the day. Still, representing the Hemsworth clan at the Lexus marquee was Chris’ wife, actress and beauty entrepreneur Elsa Pataky, who was decked in a strapless Dior dress that flowed into a sheer skirt and Bulgari jewels.

Different takes on monochrome ... (from left) Elsa Pataky, Christian Wilkins, Duckie Thot. Credit: Getty

Spanish-born Pataky said she worked with Dior to make the look race-day appropriate. “It normally has high briefs [underneath] so I had to put something else under it. I saw the Dior hat, and it just came out, and it’s very Spanish. It really transformed the outfit. It gave it Spanish vibes and wanted to pay tribute to my home country.”

Speaking of jewels, model Nicole Trunfio arrived with her own security detail responsible for ensuring no one came too close to the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of diamonds, by Anton Jewellery and Cerrone, around her neck and on her gloved finger.

Nicole Trunfio outside the Lexus marquee on Derby Day.Credit: Red Havas

Trunfio’s look, the first of five planned across the week, was the “most classic” of the lot, which will reach a crescendo on Thursday, when she is scheduled to appear in a piece once owned by none other than Hollywood icon the late Elizabeth Taylor.

Though it was Joan Collins, during the Dynasty years, who Trunfio most channelled on the day with her all-black look, which included a strapless dress by Sportmax and millinery by Ann Shoebridge.

“The races is the one place you can truly become a character ... and a hat really adds an element of drama to every outfit,” she said.

There was zero drama between model sisters Ashley and Jess Hart, who said they fought over socks and T-shirts when they were young. “I used to wait up until 3am to see if it was my T-shirt she borrowed,” Ashley said of her older sibling.

In one of the most theatrical looks of the day, Ashley gave her black suit to renowned Melbourne milliner Richard Nylon, who added a truckload of jewels, the look finished off with a Stephen Jones top hat made of twisted wire. For her part, Jess’ headpiece was doing double duty as a weather vane in the high winds, but she insisted they were angel wings and not ears, lest she fall victim to any Jessica Rabbit references. Jess also did a mid-afternoon outfit change.

Perfecting the “undone” look in the Birdcage.Credit: Dan Castano

Elsewhere on course, there was an abundance of ostrich feathers, thanks to designers of the moment Bianca and Bridgett, whose blazer dresses adorned a veritable army of influencers and were often paired with embellished platform shoes. Suiting was also a strong trend, with anyone wearing a jacket, including designer Pip Edwards, sporting a smug grin as their best accessory.

Photographer Dan Castano said one trend among menswear was texture and three-piece suits, which added intrigue to a day that can often be a bore for men. One of her favourite looks was a woman in an open-necked shirt, bow tie – and sneakers. “Undone, effortless but still managed to work in here. It’s such a nice contrast when most people are polished to within an inch of their lives,” she said.

But stunt of the day undoubtedly went to Christian Wilkins, whose headpiece by Atelier 8 perfected his “alien showgirl” aesthetic, which included a strapless Rick Owens bodice and Louis Vuitton pant. Wilkins, a Victoria Racing Club ambassador for 2022, has been championing the genderless best-dressed and best-suited categories in the Fashions on the Field competition. The only problem with his outfit yesterday? Fitting in the door of any marquees to spread the good word.

With Damien Woolnough-Reid

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