A HUES WHO OF TRACKSIDE STYLE
BOLD, bright and beautiful colour shone on the celebrity set trackside for the 157th running of the iconic Melbourne Cup.
Myer and VRC special guest Paris Jackson opted for a romantic floaty Australian designer Morrison dress and Ann Shoebridge crystal headpiece, teamed with a pair of practical ankle boots.
More accustomed to her bohemian casual wardrobe, the daughter of music legend Michael says she was impressed and surprised by how dressed up everyone was trackside.
“It’s very fancy. I was hoping to be in a baseball cap and jeans with a hot dog. My experience with horses is a cowboy hat and western boots,” she says.
“But I love this (Morrison dress), I feel myself in it besides the make-up and heels.”
Bold citrus shades were a feature and while red was another popular colour choice, pink was the winning shade of the day sported in varying shades in the glamour crowd.
Lauren Phillips rocked a magenta lace retro Asilio suit and Zoe Ventura made her mark in a bold watermelon Ginger and Smart dress, Jennifer Hawkins was simply stunning in a sheer full-skirted glamour gown by Alex Perry, while Emma Hawkins mixed pink with red to perfection in a sophisticated Cappellazzo Couture dress and Sylvy Earl headpiece.
Geelong’s Alex Hecker was a real head-turner in her equineinspired Bird Skin dress that took second place in the Myer designer awards.
The stylish flock overwhelmingly embraced the race day’s fashion form guide, which traditionally calls for colour, wearing flamboyant, fluorescent pinks, rich reds and cobalt blues while citrus shades including lime green, lemon and acidic orange were also popular, as were tropical prints, intricate lace and gingham.
Hats were big and bold with pom-poms, sculptural lace, flowers and structured feathers creating attention-grabbing detail.
Brightly clad racegoers also flooded the lawn on the most colourful day of the racing carnival’s calendar. A forecast of wind and rain did little to dampen the sartorial prowess of the punters with plenty of skin on show while others were more sensible, shielding themselves in plastic ponchos and woollen coats.