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Melbourne racegoers had Friday night fever on the first major day of the spring carnival – even though it was Saturday. Marquee-hopping guests at the Caulfield Cup played with block colours in fitted dresses, slim suits and nightclub silhouettes in a valiant attempt to stand out in a sea of floral Zimmermann.
Here is the fashion top five.
1. Rebecca Harding and Andy Lee
Television presenter Andy Lee in P Johnson and Rebecca Harding in Ferragamo.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Forget hats, veils and fascinators, body care entrepreneur Rebecca Harding is bringing back the headscarf. This is not the traditional bougie Hermes headscarf favoured by the late Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral but a tequila sunrise Ferragamo scarf, with matching dress from the Italian label’s spring 2023 collection. “The brief? My stylist Jess Pecoraro found it and told me that I had to wear it,” Harding says. “And she was right. As always.” Harding’s partner, television presenter Andy Lee was less adventurous but equally easy on all eyes in a classic, relaxed linen suit that carried a whiff of Sicilian summer by Sydney tailor P Johnson. “It’s my go-to,” Lee says.
2. Effie Kats
Effie Kats in her own design at the Caulfield Cup.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Designer Effie Kats didn’t have to look far for her strapless grey column dress. “It’s by me, but I actually chose it because of my partner,” Kats says. “I wanted to match his outfit. There’s a lot of colour today, but I’m feeling at home in grey.” The look was completed by directional Balenciaga sunglasses that veered towards redundancy as the clouds rolled over the racecourse. “I’ll be judging the best dressed racewear so I had to look the part. The bonus is I have a wedding tonight so there’s no need to change.”
3. Victoria Latu
Victoria Latu in an Elliatt dress and a Gregory Ladner hat.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Television presenter Victoria Latu barely made it to the bar without being stopped by women complimenting the minty colour of her Elliatt dress. “I love the glamour of racewear,” Latu says. “It’s a chance to dress in an over-the-top feminine way.” While the demure front was pure princess, the scooped back suggested a less regal side and nodded to more relaxed rules creeping into members’ areas. Latu’s Gregory Ladner headpiece and Fendi logo purse also attracted enough attention to keep her champagne waiting.
4. Rebecca Judd
Rebecca Judd in Eliyah.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
A healthy stint as a Myer ambassador working the store’s dearly departed marquee at Flemington trained celebrity Rebecca Judd in the fine art of racewear. Beneath a Stephanie Spencer hat, tilting in the Caulfield wind, Judd was an elegant blue streak in a halter-neck dress from Eliyah. “The great thing about Caulfield is that it’s local,” Judd says. “We live only 10 minutes away.” The fit of the dress suggested that Judd wasn’t walking home.
5. Lana Wilkinson
Lana Wilkinson at the Caulfield Cup in Marquise.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
Stylist and shoe entrepreneur Lana Wilkinson is lost for words when asked who designed her dress. The Melbourne Racing Club ambassador has been busy promoting the Caulfield Cup in a range of outfits and dressing clients. “By today my brain was all over the place,” Wilkinson says. Fortunately, fashion memory muscles kicked in and Wilkinson selected a dress from South Melbourne bridal experts Marquise. The shade of red felt more appropriate for the racetrack than the aisle. We still say ‘I do’.
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