Fresh off the ready-to-wear runways of Milan and Paris, Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech Bior is used to being in the headlines. And at Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, the Adelaide-raised 22-year-old had some news of her own to share: she’s engaged to her “high school sweetheart”, Samuel Elkhier.
A beaming Akech Bior, dressed in a crimson Effie Kats dress and rose headpiece by milliner to the royal family Stephen Jones, said the couple became engaged in August in Adelaide.
Engaged, and engaging … Adut Akech Bior at the Melbourne Cup.Credit:Eddie Jim
She said they have known each other for eight years. “Samuel does a bit of everything, he’s in property development, he’s in music.”
Despite being a darling of the industry, Akech Bior arrived more than fashionably late on Tuesday, taking her seat at the Lexus marquee mere moments before the main race. Her mid-afternoon arrival continued a long tradition of celebrities arriving late to Flemington but nothing tops Naomi Campbell, who on Derby Day in 2013 finally swanned into the Birdcage just as the main race of the day was run.
But unlike some celebrity appearances at the races, which take months and hundreds of thousands in payments and contra to come to fruition, Akech Bior’s attendance was relatively low-key, despite her standing as one of the fashion industry’s most influential faces internationally.
Akech Bior said she was visiting Australia for her sister Kim’s 26th birthday and asked her manager to contact the Victoria Racing Club about making her first visit to the Melbourne Cup.
“I got [to Australia] on Saturday … [my sister] had no idea I was coming. I hit up my agent and said, ‘I want to go to the races, I know they are on Tuesday,’ and it came together,” she said.
According to a source close to the arrangements, no payment was requested or offered, a stark contrast to guests such as Elsa Pataky, who reportedly commanded a six-figure sum for her attendance on Derby Day.
Akech Bior said she “lost count” of how many runways she walked this season but listed Hugo Boss, Versace and Chanel among her highlights.
Other celebrity names who braved the icy conditions on Tuesday included Bec Judd, who was ensconced at Mumm, VRC ambassador Delta Goodrem, wearing floral Dolce & Gabbana, and former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Fashion Editor Melissa Singer’s favourite outfits from Cup Day
Adut Akech Bior.Credit:Eddie Jim
Adut Akech Bior, model
Dress by Effie Kats, millinery by Stephen Jones
“Fresh from the ready-to-wear runways, Adut looks effortlessly graceful in this column dress and headpiece that gives a nod to Flemington’s roses.”
Nadia Fairfax, influencer
Dress by Common Hours, headpiece by Jill Humphries
“I loved the detail in this dress-cum-robe. If you look closely, the buttons are little hands – a kitschy twist that doesn’t veer into costume territory.”
Credit:Eddie Jim
Melissa Leong, Masterchef judge
Suit by Gucci, hat by Stephen Jones
“Suiting is a core part of this year’s revamped Fashions on the Field, and Melissa nails the ‘undone’ look in Gucci.”
Credit:Eddie Jim
Rozalia Russian, influencer
Suit by Effie Kats, hat by Brixton from City Hatters
“A tonal look can sometimes look overdone but this is perfect, one of my favourites of the day. And it’s weather-appropriate too, with a felt hat.”
Credit:Eddie Jim
Kate Peck, TV personality/model
Zara Jacket, Dion Lee corset, Scanlan Theodore shoes, Nerida winter hat
“Many celebrities pay a stylist to look this good but Kate has just ‘thrown this together’ with pieces she picked up on the High Street. Very ’90s chic.”
Credit:Eddie Jim
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