The Spring Racing Carnival has come and gone and the most memorable part about it was the of course the FASHION.
Let’s begin with the pre – spring racing carnival parties... The “Myer Mad About The Hat Day” at the Rosehill Gardens in Sydney. The stunning event bought out the most stylish of Sydney’s elite including Nikki Phillips, Luke Jacobz, Kate Waterhouse, Sarah Cumming, Firass Dirani and Laura Dundovic. This fabulous group of people didn’t put a foot wrong from Luke’s suit to Sarah’s dress and the most stunning piece of all was Kate’s head piece. I feel in love with this head piece and even used it as an inspiration from my Melbourne Cup outfit.
My mask was a different colour and didn’t include the headband but it was significantly inspired this picture of Kate in Harper’s Bazaar and ALSO the Chanel A/W 2012 Haute Coutour collection which was shown in Paris earlier this year. I love the sexy mysteriousness of lace masks. The wearer can see through but the observer struggles to make eye contact, which allows the wearer to protect her identity.
Now for Derby Day brilliance... As always the black and white dress code demanded class and superb class was brought one the day.
The David Jones girls certainly didn’t disappoint. Miss Samantha Harris was magnificent in her black and white shirt and skirt combination. Many would say tall women shouldn’t wear point tall hats because it just accentuates their height in a bad way but some way this stunner makes her head piece work into her outfit and looks like a knock out!!!
Megan Gale looked better than ever in her stunning black dress that showed her off her new slender figure and those never ending legs.
Kate Waterhouse also went with the all black dress code at the David Jones marquee in this stunning one piece jump suit and spectacular wide brimmed hat. So simple but so striking.
On the other side of the department store war, over at the Myer Marquee Jennifer Hawkins went for a white dress with black accents, including a black bet, shoes, head piece and clutch.
Rebecca Judd looked AMAZING only a few short months since the birth of her little boy in a black shift dress and fan head piece.
Carrie Bickmore was a guest at the Myer Marquee and a stunner. I LOVE the lace cut out top, so crisp, so clean, so Carrie!!!
Burlesque pin-up Dita Von Teese wore a one-shouldered ruby red dress from own collection, Dita Von Teese Muse, paired with a Philip Treacy hat and Christian Louboutin heels. Going against the dress code seemed to be a trend with the international guests at Derby Day with X Factor judge Mel B also choosing a loud leopard dress. Some would find this a tad offensive I just think they wanted to stand out a little more than they already do.
Adrian Grenier on the other hand was as smooth as could be... His glittering converse sneakers were a sleek fashion feature of his Derby Day ensemble but I am sure it was his charismatic nature had the women swooning.
Australian Hollywood royalty Rachel Taylor was a shining light in the Emirates Marque. Staring as one of Charlie’s Angels in the US, Rachel seemed glad to be on home soil to celebrate SRC.
Couples at Derby Day were also a stand out...
Laura Dundovic and Laura Csortan were Ying and Yang in their black and white ensembles. Both dresses have stunning neck lines and I found it hard to choose between the two looks but Laura Csortan takes the cake with that cut out black halter.
Ronan and Yvonne Keating made a quick but beautiful appearance at Derby Day. Yvonne rarely makes red carpet appearances but when she does it is perfection. This lace dress is demure sexiness at its best.
Ashley Hart was a knock out in this black dress, white feather head piece, wedges and added a touch of peach with her envelope clutch. Whilst her boyfriend Buck Palmer was very handsome in his black tuxe and Ray Bans.
Lastly the AFL’s best dressed couple Jimmy Bartel and Nadia Coppolino wore bright smiles and a great tan after their trip O/S. Jimmy’s black tie and Nadia’s head piece were magnificent accessories chosen well by the Melbourne Fashionista!
Melbourne Cup allows for attendees to bring a little more colour to the SRC and show their individual style... Ashley Hart hit the correct note again with the blush shirt and terracotta/ginger split skirt... LOVE THIS – SO SOMETHING I WOULD WEAR...
Fifi Box was all about the colour blocking with the Orange, Red and Blue... Her look could have been a little bit sexier but considering the woman had been up since 4:00am filming with sunrise she looked pretty good...
The Myer ladies were part HIT part MISS...
Jennifer Hawkins - Green fan head piece = MASSIVE MISS, Stunning Sass & Bide dress = HIT and Orange shoes = HIT. Colour blocking is on trend if it is done properly.
Rebecca Judd – Blue fan head piece = MISS, Sass & Bide = HIT and mismatched aqua shoes were too shinny = MAMOTH MISS.
Jen and Rebecca should thank Sass & Bide for their dresses because otherwise their looks would be all wrong.
ANTM’s Miss Jay was OTT but it wouldn’t be Miss Jay without being OTT... That chiule fanned head piece was too cute!!
Russian Royalty came out to play in a when Nicolette Romanoff arrived in Melbourne. This modern royal looked stunning in Royal blue (no pun intended) but her cream head piece was a bit exaggerated and her boring cream heels weren’t a good combo. But... the majority of the guests in the Emirates Marquee raved that Nicolette was a lot of fun.
Ricki – Lee Coulter was smooooooking hot. This beautiful woman was proud to reveal her new body at the 2011 Melbourne Cup. Her dress perfectly draped her body and wasn’t over the top because her new body shape brought all the drama. Well done to this gorgeous inspirational woman. If she can do it so can I!
Out of all the couples at Melbourne Cup my favourite would have to be Lauren Phillips and Kate Waterhouse. Laura is beautifully traditional but Kate is perfectly pushing the trends of race wear. I love love love her head piece... BEYOND MAGNIFICENT!!!
Hamish and Andy – That is all!!! These funny men look cute ;) they are the epitome of Aussie men at the races. Never trying too hard but not getting it wrong either. Well done boys!
Sass & Bide's Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton are the epitome of getting it right at a mature age. The designers recognise their age but show that you can pull of colour blocking in a classy way that is appropriate for the races. I would wear both outfits – If I could afford it lol...
Oaks Day drew quite a crowd... a crowd that was expecting Kim K but SJP didn’t disappoint.
Sarah Jessica Parker didn’t disappoint during her entire visit to Melbourne. Whilst being a guest at the Crown luncheon at the Casino SJP wore a Phillip Treacy hat and Chanel tweed dress to the event and then changed into a gorgeous and colourful Vera Wang dress at the Australian premier of “I don’t know how she does it” SJP didn’t put a foot wrong.
Then... at Oaks Day SJP's hair piece “literally” was nice and her outfit was quite demure and lady like. The entire look wasn’t all bad but seemed a little lack lustre.
Talking about the complete opposite of being lady like, Ruby Rose rocked one of my favourite head pieces of the SRC with a skull and bat winged head piece. Her dress was over taken by the statement on her head that I thought was perfectly Ruby!!
Again the Sass & Bide ladies do it right on ladies day....They have GREAT legs FYI if you hadn’t noticed...
Shane and Liz were allegedly not making an appearance during the Spring Racing Carnival but couldn’t keep away when they finally attended on Oaks Day. I love the orchid Phillip Treacy hat but Shane looks like a lost bogan. Really you can dress a bogan in Versace but the bogan always shines through... Liz is trying to class him up but he is bringing Liz down.
Rachel Finch rocks a white frock perfectly with small nude and brown accents in her belt, shoes and feathers... Plus her great tan!!! I really think this look is the most wearable from the day and probably the most affordable.
Joan Collins was traditionally Joan Collins with TOO MUCH COLOUR and TOO MUCH SHOULDER... That is all!
Last but certainly not least my favourite look from Oaks Day was Ashley Hart rocking a Balmain dress with her sexy accessory – no I am not talking about her gorgeous man- BUT her bird head piece. Not many could pull of such a look but Ashley seems like she has just come of the runway in Paris!
Stakes Day was a massive disappointment for organisers who had hoped for Kim K but the hats on the day were bigger than Kim’s behind.
Fifi Box shone with her stunning red dress and perfectly crafted cream hat.
Nadia Coppolino stole the spot light from her AFL champion with this tres belle Parisian looking hat.
Overall the Spring Racing Carnival didn’t disappoint. I appreciated those who kept to tradition and those who pushed the boundaries with clash and style.
Until next November... Ciao! Luciana
