It’s always quite a hectic time in the lead up to Melbourne Cup as I’m usually busy trying to get my outfit locked in for the event. It’s always the most fun day of the racing calendar for me as the dress code is a little more daring and I can afford to take a few more fashion risks with everything from colour to headpieces. It’s always the ideal time to make a statement with my dress and accessories.
I’ve almost lost count of how many Cup Day ensembles I’ve pulled together over the years but every year I hope I’m doing something different from the last. Having spent the last few weeks trying to finalise what I’m wearing, it had me taking a little trip down memory lane about some of the looks I’ve worn over the last few years…
2016
Dress, Gucci; Shoes, Gucci; Headpiece, Hatmaker
I loved this whole collection and fell in love with this dress when I saw it. It’s quite a loud dress with the ruffles and pearls and the colour so I knew that the only place I could probably get away with wearing it was to Melbourne Cup. I carried the rest of the pearl detail through with my shoes and went with a jewelled headband which was in keeping with the vibrant nature of the rest of my outfit. Whilst I haven’t really worn the dress since, the shoes have been a constant staple in my wardrobe since I got them. It’s great when I’m able to extend the wear of my Cup Day outfit beyond just that one day.
2015
Dress, Altuzarra; Shoes, Camilla & Marc; Headpiece, Sarah and Sebastian x Hatmaker
This is by far one of my favourite dresses. The whole collection by Altuzzara was perfection that year. I loved the velvet and metallic thread worked through the dress and the lace around the neck which was very Victorian.
Given the classic neckline of the dress I wanted to do something more modern and different with my headpiece that year and loved the idea of a turban. That piece was by Sarah and Sebastian and Hatmaker who teamed up to created the headpiece for me and made it entirely from bronze.
I love collaborations such as the one I was able to do that year as I’m always guaranteed a unique piece. I remember there were lots of fittings involved with this particular turban where we spoke about the dress and the look I had in mind.
2014
Dress, Dion Lee; Shoes, Tabitha Simmons; Headpiece, Nerida Winter
The previous year I had worn a bright clashing print so I went a bit more subdued with the colour I chose this year. However I think on Cup Day you have to wear a standout dress and in this instance I think it was the side details that really made the statement as opposed to the colour. It was a classic navy hue but peek-a-boo cutouts really lifted the dress and turned it into something Melbourne Cup-worthy. With my shoes that year I opted for a leopard print caged style heel as I wanted something a little bit fun and what better way to do it than with a little animal print.
2013
Dress, Peter Pilotto; Shoes, Alexander Wang; Headpiece, Hardy Brothers x Nerida Winter
I remember this dress was a fave as soon as I spotted it on the runway. I love anything with a standout print and the cut-out detail helped give it a point of difference. That year I teamed up with Hardy Brothers jewellers and enlisted the help of Nerida Winter to design a headpiece that was made from their jewellery. It was probably one of the most luxe headpieces I’d ever worn as it was made of gold and diamonds; it was originally a necklace but we piled it up and made it into a headband.
2012
Dress, Gucci, Shoes, Celine, Headpiece, Nerida Winter
As you can see anything Gucci is a fave of mine on Cup Day. I remember I really loved that lilac dress. It had beautiful detail across the top which really cemented it as a dress I had to wear. I always like to wear a bit of colour on Melbourne Cup Day and the dress was really pretty and girly. I didn’t want to go too over the top with the headpiece because of the detailing around my neck so I went for a veil and bow and really simple heels.
Looking back over these outfits I’ve tried a few different trends and designers over the years and this year I think I’ve done something that pushes my sartorial boundaries yet again. So, what am I wearing this year? Stay tuned tomorrow for the big reveal!
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