The Melbourne Cup Carnival is as famous for fashion as it is for horse racing the world over and celebrates the 160th running of the Melbourne Cup now proudly sponsored by Lexus. The four-day carnival consisting of the Derby, The Melbourne Cup, Oaks Day, and Stakes Day is always an opportunity for us to show our most glamorous style and turn heads.
Race day dressing pays homage to traditions and is a time to showcase key trends of the year from our most celebrated designers both abroad and in Australia.
Olivia Molly Rogers and Rob Mills as the 2020 Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn Ambassadors
This year, The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) and Myer are excited to announce new Just For Fun Myer Fashions on your Front Lawncategories which will be open to all Australians this Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The Myer Fashions on the Field as we know it is Australia’s largest and most celebrated outdoor fashion event and this year although we can’t be present at the famous Flemington track we can still keep the spirit alive and have a little fun putting our best fashion feet forward to show our originality and style, presenting the perfect ensemble including millinery and accessories.
The 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival has been reimagined with four exciting new categories including Cup Week Costumes, Family Ties, Lounge in Style, and Mad Hatters will ensure everyone can get into the Melbourne Cup Carnival spirit at home.
VRC Executive General Manager Customer Engagement Caroline Ralphsmith said the club was excited to introduce the fun new categories.
- Cup Week Costumes is where you can let your imagination run wild. Be it fancy dress or your most elaborate racing inspired look, this is the category to let loose.
Australian Fashion Designer Julie Goodwin says, “around this time of the year I’m normally writing up “the rules” for the current racing season. Do’s and don’ts, hats and face shapes, shoes for walking on grass – the usual – but this year the good news is: THERE ARE NO RULES!
Whether you follow the races or not, this is your Spring to just have a ball with your wardrobe and celebrate the small wins of the season. Get out your picnic blanket, put on a ball gown and enjoy the sunshine. Wear a tracksuit and a tiara and sip champagne while you watch the Big Race. Walk the dog in your fascinator.
I know it’s hard right now but whenever I make any sartorial effort I feel better, and you will too, and that’s what Spring Racing means to me this year – whatever it takes people!”
- Family Ties encourages the whole family, including pets, to put their best-dressed foot forward.
Melbourne Designer Sofia Samaras, newly launched Melbourne-based luxury fashion brand, SOFIA IRINA, an avid Melbourne Cup Carnival fan, says, ” It may be a different celebration than what we are used to but we can still get into the spirit, dress up and enjoy this great Australian tradition.” Samaras style advice is to keep your chosen look classic and timelessly elegant with a modern twist. ” You can’t go wrong in our fabulous crisp ivory ALANA DRESS or ALANA JUMPSUIT for those wanting to still dress specifically for Derby or be alluring and feminine on all other race days in our new in, IRINA MAXI HALTER NECK DRESS in the prettiest ivory blush polka dot fabric.”
- Lounge in Style is for those who are ready to take off the trackies and put on something fit for a chic garden party.
Menswear Designer Dom Bagnato says, this is a day that you could dress with a “no rules” Attitude and just have fun with your look! It could in fact be a combination of all carnival days! You should celebrate the weeks festive and fun filled week, so why not dress a “Celebratory” way.
- And Mad Hatters invites everyone to have some DIY fun with headwear. If it goes on your head, we want to see it! The more creative, show-stopping, and outrageous, the better.
Melbourne My Style chats to Celebrity Milliner – Felicity Northeast
Felicity’s tips:
- Incorporate your mask with your millinery; Choose a mask with a side tie or scarf which can reflect the hat or become a hair feature.
- If your dress is in a finer material, think luxe fabrics for your mask as well as your dress. Silk masks or ones with a lace overlay will work well.
- Select millinery and mask colours that compliment and highlight your eyes.
- If you want your mask to be the feature try more classical millinery styles, boaters, and hats with minimal trims
General hints:
- If celebrating outside before the big race, wear a stylish summer hat such as a coloured panama, boater, or a smart bucket hat.
- Smaller headpieces work well inside, including crowns, detailed and statement headbands, or side beret.
- Thinking you would like something new (a milliner would love your support too) think of buying a timeless classical piece, one that you would love to wear next year too!
To enter the Just For Fun Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn categories simply upload a photo to your public Instagram page, tagging @FlemingtonVRC #cupweekfashion plus the relevant category hashtag.
Just For Fun entries open on AAMI Victoria Derby Day at 9.00 am and close on Kennedy Oaks Day at 11.59 pm. You can enter as many times as you like.
Entries will be judged against criteria including interpretation of the theme, sense of fun, style, creativity, and originality.
The 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with AAMI Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 31 October followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 3 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 5 November, and Seppelt Wines Stakes Day on Saturday 7 November.
Everybody has a ticket to Cup Week with the 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast live and free on Network 10 and streamed on 10 Play.
Written by Melinda Sullivan
At home model shoot with Melissa Pethybridge – Photography by Sam Tabone
Additional Images by VRC
