A-list celebrities and Melbourne’s social set embraced the traditional black-and-white dress code on Saturday as they arrived at Flemington Racecourse for Derby Day.
The opening event of the Melbourne Cup Carnival drew television and radio stars, influencers, AFL WAGs and prominent socialites, all dressed to impress for one of the spring racing season’s biggest days.
Carrie Bickmore appeared to mark the occasion by popping a bottle of champagne, shortly after confirming that her national Hit Network drive show with Tommy Little will end later this year.
The 45-year-old radio host chose an elegant silk bridal-inspired design by Van Der Kooij, featuring a fitted bodice and dramatically full skirt.
She styled the outfit with an oversized matching bow in her blonde hair, which was swept into a sleek updo to highlight her statement gold earrings.
Carrie completed the ensemble with lace Christian Louboutin heels.
Carrie Bickmore, 45, appeared to celebrate with a bottle of champagne after announcing that her national Hit Network drive show with Tommy Little will end at the close of the year
The radio presenter wore a silk bridal-inspired creation by Van Der Kooij, complete with a fitted bodice and voluminous skirt
A large matching bow topped her slicked-back blonde updo, drawing attention to her chunky gold earrings
Tammy Hembrow made a glamorous statement in a strapless lace gown with a sheer bodice and plunging neckline.
The 32-year-old fitness influencer paired the dress with a broad-brimmed hat, wearing her blonde hair swept back underneath it.
She opted for smoky eye makeup and a nude lip, finishing the look with a designer clutch and understated hoop earrings.
Nadia Bartel turned heads in a dramatic ruffled-tulle creation from J’Aton Couture, featuring a corseted sweetheart neckline and a structured hem that flared across her hips.
The 41-year-old former WAG added sheer gloves and a wide-brimmed hat before arriving with her partner, Peter Dugmore.
Pip Edwards took inspiration from the racetrack with a jockey-themed outfit and an unusual headpiece resembling a riding helmet.
Her white Mariam Seddiq gown featured a thigh-high split, revealing lace-up Jimmy Choo boots that extended above the knee.
Pip Edwards, 46, embraced a jockey-inspired aesthetic with a headpiece reminiscent of a riding helmet
Her ruffled white Mariam Seddiq gown featured a dramatic split that revealed her over-the-knee boots
The P.E Nation founder finished the look with thigh-high lace-up heels by Jimmy Choo
Tammy Hembrow, 32, showcased her figure in a strapless lace gown with a sheer bodice
She teamed the dress with a wide-brimmed hat and carried a designer clutch
Newlyweds Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding looked loved-up in coordinating black outfits
Bec Judd wore a striking black J’Aton Couture gown with transparent heels by Lana Wilkinson
She completed the outfit with a wide-brimmed hat and a clutch bearing the word ‘Melbourne’
AFL WAG Chelsea Becirevic, 24, made an entrance in a striking low-cut white dress
She attended the event with her footballer partner, Ivan Soldo
Nadia Bartel, 41, looked elegant in a ruffled-tulle J’Aton Couture design with a corseted sweetheart neckline and structured hips
She accessorised with sheer gloves and a wide-brimmed hat while arriving with partner Peter Dugmore
A gold watch and bangle provided the finishing touches to her ensemble.
Elsewhere, AFL WAG Chelsea Becirevic, 24, drew attention in a dramatically low-cut white dress as she arrived alongside her partner, Ivan Soldo.
Lana Wilkinson embraced an all-black aesthetic, revealing a hint of midriff in a Toni Maticevski top-and-skirt combination.
The 44-year-old shoe designer attended with her husband of 16 years, Liam Wilkinson.
Annalise Dalins followed the traditional Derby Day brief in an all-white ensemble by Alin Le’Kal.
The 25-year-old AFL WAG wore a corseted bodice over a mini dress designed to resemble an elongated suit jacket.
She posed with her Collingwood star fiancé, Josh Daicos, and completed the look with a wide-brimmed white hat by milliner Jill Humphries.
A leather A-Esque clutch and strappy Lana Wilkinson heels finished the outfit.
Rozalia Russian chose a polka-dot-inspired suit designed by Steven Khalil
She attended alongside her Melbourne businessman husband, Nick Russian
Nine presenter Samantha Armytage wore a timeless dress with pearl detailing on the pockets and black faux-leather gloves
Fellow Nine presenter and new Today co-host Tom Steinfort looked sharp in a classic black suit
Annalise Dalins, 25, led the celebrity arrivals in an all-white Alin Le’Kal look suited to Derby Day’s traditional palette
The AFL WAG wore a corseted bodice over a mini dress styled to look like a long suit jacket
Annalise posed with Collingwood star Josh Daicos and wore a wide-brimmed Jill Humphries hat
Australian socialite and Bali princess Lindy Klim wore a custom Atoir creation while arriving with her partner, Paul Mullert
Lana Wilkinson, 44, showcased an all-black Toni Maticevski outfit with a glimpse of midriff
The shoe designer arrived with her husband of 16 years, Liam Wilkinson
Anna Robards styled herself in a white Acler outfit, pairing it with Lana Wilkinson shoes and an Oroton handbag
Former Neighbours star Olympia Valance wore a white gown beneath a cream bodice and carried a petite designer handbag
Effie Kats co-founder and creative director Effie Katsaounis chose a structured black gown by Alin Le’Kal
Australian designer Rebecca Vallance wore white with black gloves as she posed with Danish model and former Victoria’s Secret Angel Helena Christensen
Jessie Murphy, 36, attended with her former Carlton star husband, Marc Murphy, 39
The blonde beauty paired a white satin blazer with a matching slip skirt and wide-brimmed hat
Jessie Murphy and her former Carlton star husband, Marc Murphy, were among the guests at Flemington.
The 36-year-old wore a white satin jacket over a coordinating slip skirt, completing the look with a wide-brimmed hat.
Brooke Warne showcased her legs in a short black dress trimmed with white tulle around the hips and finished with a matching cape.
The 29-year-old daughter of late cricket great Shane Warne chose a Bianca & Bridgett design, styled with matching black pumps and a headband.
Former tennis WAG Hannah Dal Sasso, 25, embraced a faux-leather look while arriving with her new boyfriend, Rupert McLean.
Model Bella Henry, 23, brought a rock-inspired edge to the event in a black mohawk cap worn with a lace dress.
Speaking with Our News Outlet, she explained that the unusual outfit was not inspired by Halloween.
“I don’t think it played a part. My stylist Alicia brought together some amazing pieces with the designers, and I think they were aiming for fun fashion,” she said.
Bella added that the mohawk was particularly practical in the wet and windy conditions.
“Because it’s so heavy, it feels weighted and secure, so I’m not going to fly away,” she said.
Derby Day traditionally opens one of the world’s most celebrated racing weeks, with more than 90,000 spectators expected at Flemington.
The glamorous Birdcage enclosure will once again welcome Australian celebrities and Melbourne’s high-society crowd, with guests taking in the racing and complimentary canapés.
Although Derby Day is known for its particularly strict black-and-white dress code, each event in the spring racing carnival has its own fashion identity.
Melbourne Cup Day favours bold colours and eye-catching patterns, while Oaks Day—also known as Ladies’ Day—celebrates traditionally feminine style.
Stakes Day, the carnival’s final event, takes a more relaxed approach to racewear, with fewer restrictions than Derby Day’s formal opening.
Mikayla Crisp opted for a refined cream outfit while attending with AFL star Jack Crisp
Former tennis WAG Hannah Dal Sasso, 25, wore faux leather as she arrived with new boyfriend Rupert McLean
Bella Henry chose a rock-inspired ensemble, pairing a black mohawk cap with a lace dress. She is pictured with Hannah McKnight
Bella Henry, 23, struck a playful pose while showing off her unconventional headwear
Joel and Britt Selwood also attended, with Britt carrying a designer handbag
Seven News Melbourne presenter Rebecca Maddern, 49, wore a warm white dress with a frayed hem and layered black accessories
Milliner Chantelle Ford paired a white corset with black trousers
Eddie McGuire, 62, smiled in a three-piece suit just one week after Nine dropped him from Footy Classified
Footy WAG Emily Ryan King wore a black gown with a trailing hem that transformed into a cape
