Myer Fashions on the Field – Melbourne Cup Day Womens Racewear and Designer Award Winners

Images thanks to Myer and Lucas Dawson Photography

Derby Day at Myer Fashions on the FIeld – Womens Racewear and Mens Racewear

Images thanks to Myer and Lucas Dawson Photography

I believe it was around Sunday morning last week when I first saw the weather forecast for Derby Day – cold, wet and windy. 19 degrees.

I had flashbacks to Derby Day 2010, my first ever visit to Flemington, where we shivered through rain and endured the best the elements had to throw at us – all the while in heels, a frock and a fancy facinator. Is there truly any occasion where beauty does not equal pain?

Dress by Camilla and Marc, facinator by Morgan & Taylor, shoes by Wittner.

As the week wore on and the predictions of rain didn’t let up, fashionistas planned and replanned outfits to suit. As it was, I hadn’t yet decided on an outfit full stop, let alone had a chance to change it.

The morning of the Derby dawned, and rain could be heard on the pavement outside when the alarm went off. My dress choice was based on the colours of the day (traditionally black and white, although I was informed yesterday no one actually knows where this trend originated) and an umbrella and coat were mandatory requirements.

We arrived at the track at 10am, long before many punters were out of bed but late enough that the early rain seemed to have cleared. The sun began to shine and the fashion parades started.

Manning the door of the VIP area at the Myer Fashions on the Field Marquee, I had the pleasure of greeting Hugh Sheridan, George Houvardas, Kris Smith, Myer CEO Bernie Brooks and the most fabulous fashionista of them all, J Alexander.

The fabulous Fashions on the Field VIP team – Olivia, Emma and me! Olivia (centre) in dress by SA designer Liza Emanuele and facinator by Amanda Mercer of Adelaide Hatters. Emma (right) in dress by Nevenka and facinator by Morgan & Taylor.

It would be totally inappropriate to take happy snaps of these guys as they head up the stairs but it’s such a thrill when they make small talk! Amazing how a hello or a smile can make a girls day.

The fashions were, as expected, fantastic. Everything from modern to vintage, self made and couture was out in force – both for the ladies and the men. It truly must be difficult for the judges to pick a winner; the victor in the women’s racewear category won wearing a modern Scanlon & Theodore dress.

Number 327 – Derby Day Fashions on the Field Winner in Scanlon & Theodore

After five hours standing in heels, in the gorgeous sunshine none of us had expected, I was ready to sit down (lie down, sleep…). We headed upstairs to the grab a drink and rest our tired feet, where much to our delight, master milliner Philip Treacy was also cooling his heels.

Following drinks at the marquee, we visited friends in The Rails, where champagne and lollies were on tap, before a wander through the elegance of The Birdcage to the carpark where our very organised new friends had the supplies for an outdoor picnic as the sun set.

Olivia and me in The Birdcage

While we watched the traffic jam of cars leaving the track, we sipped champagne and chatted all things frocks, fashion and Flemington – it was good to be back at the track!

A trip back on the train to Flinders Street and finally the rain we had waited for all day arrived. It was definately time to go home.

Thanks to Olivia Nunn for images.

I remember the first time I came across Kikki K. It was probably some 5 years ago when I first attended the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, a young thing totally enthralled by the world of fashion. There were Kikki K products in the gift bag – a pack of shoe bulldog clips and paperclips shaped like coathangers. I was in love.

Since then, Kikki K products are all over my house. From storage boxes to pens, the cool Swedish stationery gives work a whole new meaning. I buy wedding planners and recipe holders for friends, I have a Kikki K keyring (with a shoe and a handbag) and a notebook with me everywhere I go.

While I have only known about Kikki K for the past five years, turns out the very clever Kikki was around a bit before that, and this week we celebrated her 10th anniversary at the place where it all started, Kikki K Melbourne Central.

It all begins with a dream… Kristina makes her speech

Kristina Karlsson – aka Kikki K – started her stationery empire in 2001, a business that would see her passion for design, style, practicality and paper products merge. Together with her husband, Kristina would see her business grow and expand around Australia, NZ and Singapore, now including 60 boutiques and an online store.

The celebration party included a speech from Kristina herself, reflecting on her dreams and how having a goal is so important. She thanked her loyal customers and announced a 10 year retrospective wrapping paper book featuring her favourite designs from 2001 to 2011.

There were bubbles, an amazing cake (a desk where all the stationery was edible!) and a dress made of paper (worn beautifully by the face of MSFW Sophie Van Den Akker) – everything a fashionable stationery lover could wish for.

Congratulations Kristina – may your enthusiasm and perseverance of your goal be an inspiration to us all.

Kikki Kake!!

Thanks To Jennifer Estrada for all images in this post

It is true what they say. People who like shoes are just nicer people.

Well, they don’t say that, but I do.

Anyone who has an affection for footwear was clearly blessed with the nice gene as well and last week I had the pleasure of hanging out with a group of them for a whole afternoon.

Must to my surprise and delight, I was invited to be a guest of StyleTread at the Cox Plate Ladies Luncheon and join the StyleTread team to indulge in an afternoon of shoe small talk. The clincher? The racewear dresscode – StyleTread offered to fit me out with shoes, a bag and a fascinator. I nearly feel off my chair with excitement. Everything but the dress.

I called Miss F in a panic. So many pairs of shoes on one website to choose from? My brain might have imploded. First I needed to choose the frock – the colours and accessories would follow.

Dress: Basque at Myer; Shoes by Lipstik, Clutch by Peeptoe, Facinator by Morgan & Taylor,
all at StyleTread

My Basque navy and white dress seemed to fit the bill but I didn’t want to bring the boring down with tan or navy accessories. As we know, this season is all about colour and a quick Twitter callout confirmed my thoughts. Orange was the way to go.

StyleTread has orange in spades. Everything from mandarin, tangerine and bad fake tan to coral, amber and carrot. In the end, coral made the cut – Lipstik peeptoe platform pumps, a Morgan & Taylor oversized flower fascinator and a nude hardcase clutch by Peeptoe.

Emily (MelbGirl) and I (Instagram filter added, image thank to Em!)

After popping into the office for a few hours, I cabbed it out to Moonee Valley where the champagne and cocktails were already on tap. The StyleTread team (and their awesome shoe ute) were already in attendance, together with fashion reporter Georgie from mX, blogger Emily from MelbGirl and Herald Sun Shopping Confessions columnist and blogger, Kathy.

The colour of the room – at Moonee Valley Racetrack

There was colour everywhere, from the decadent headpieces the ladies were wearing to the cute garden chairs we sat on. Spring was definitely in the air. We dined on tartlet, spatchcock and trifle (not all together!) and sipped Sparkling Brut, all the while admiring the fashion and enjoying the entertainment – Katie Noonan sang while the Love Never Dies cast put on a stellar performance.

Love Never Dies

I met Shane Carrroll, buyer and stylist for StyleTread who says ‘Cobalt, orange, fuchsia, red, purple, lime and chartreuse are the vivid hues turning heads this season. They will make you the centre of attention!’

My thanks to StyleTread for my gorgeous shoes and accessories, and the chance to be the ultimate fashionista for an afternoon! Sure beats being at work.

StyleTread offer free and fast delivery, free returns and a 100 day returns policy. With hundreds of styles, colours, heel heights and accessories (for men, women AND children) you don’t even have to leave your living room to get set for the races (or Christmas, New Years or Valentines…) to be properly prepared.

They really do have everything but the dress!

(Thanks also to StyleTread for all the photos!)

So you guys know I am gluten intolerant right?

Yep I am – but I am also not one to turn down an invitation.

Sapporo Australia recently had a shindig at Golden Monkey to celebrate beer (which I can’t drink) but since I like a party, I went along anyways and took Mr T.

Mr T tells me the beer was great, and since the food and the non alcoholic sangria I had was awesome, I am inclined to agree with him.

Mr T and me at the Sapporo Launch

Fab peeps attended the party – Phillip Boon and Joshua Koko, Jenny Bannister, Nathan and Clea from Limedrop and Sarah Willcocks of StyleMelbourne, among others!

The cool kids at Sapporo also gave us a money cat as a parting gift – at first I thought this was just a creepy waving plastic toy but Miss J explained the significance of a money cat and now I think he is not so bad. I gave him pride of place on my Rangehood in the kitchen.

Wall of Waving Money Cats. Pic thanks to Mr T.

If you like beer, and are not gluten intolerant, I hear Sapporo is good. Try it!

Way back when (sometime in March), Miss F and I went to the Finders Keepers markets at Docklands.

While the markets have left Melbourne for a while (if you know of a large space they can use, please let them know here), Sydney is blessed with the wonderful world of quirky and original wares.

Miss F and I drooled over this necklace at the time and I was thrilled to receive an email from her on Friday – not only had she found the coveted necklace online but it was HALF PRICE.

Pigeonhole Wholesale have an amazing array of jewellery, accessories, bags, camera accessories, stationary and homewares. Lot’s of stock is half off and if you visit our friends at Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily, you will find a discount code to get even more off. Win.

I’ve picked up the Giant Facet Necklace in Pink Champange – they also have giant baubles and both come in Olive, Smoke, Clear and Red.

Postage costs are a very small $5 (or $10 if you are desperate to receive the next day!).

Happy Shopping!

I plan on spending a lot of time at the beach this summer.

As much as I wish I was in the Hamptons (perhaps lounging with Dan and the Gossip Girl crew), I’ll probably be at Phillip Island.

This is what I’d like to be wearing but I can’t decide what colour I like best. Which do you like?

Regina Garde Hamptons Knot Dress RRP $65

Sold online at www.reginagarde.com
Stockist enquiries, call (02) 9357 7709

Style After Dark, South Melbourne Market’s night market, kicks off again from October 20th (that’s this THURSDAY!) and I can’t wait. Running every Thursday night til November 24th, Style After Dark will showcase locally made clothing and accessories, providing a unique outlet for a vibrant community of designers, makers and an eclectic mix of artisan stalls.

Each week different bands will showcase musical styles including the Shuffle Club who will launch Style After Dark on October 20 and close it on November 24. Other bands such as Son Tres and Australia’s musical treasure Ross Hanaford (Daddy Cool) will also rock the south. Performances will take place on Cecil Street with DJ’s and roving performers who will also entertain and invigorate the whole night market experience.

Come experience all the colour, music, food and fashion of the night market – and you might just run into me sipping on Sangria!

Style After Dark
Thursday evenings, 5.30 – 9.30pm October 20 to November 24
Under the Verandah, Coventry and Cecil Streets, South Melbourne

www.styleafterdark.com.au

This year I will again be gracing the doorway of the Myer Fashions on the Field Marquee at Flemington for all four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

That’s a lot of dresses, hats, facinators and shoes I will have to go through to find the perfect four raceday outfits to suit the style of the meet.

Meanwhile, don’t even get me started on hair and makeup! Between working out colours and establishing what the weather is going to do, it’s all too hard.

I’m not getting paid a bucket so I’ll be doing my hair with a can of hairspray and some bobby pins in my bathroom at home but if you will be inside the marquee and want to glam up in case you have to meet Sarah Jessica, I recommend Salon M.

Salon M have been established for more than a decade and became famous for their glamorous signature blowdrys and classic, chic ‘girlie’ hair.

They also have in-house colourists and stylists and use Label M products, with a strong focus on listening to what their client wants, rather than only focusing on what is “hot right now”.

The girls at Salon M are offering a Spring Racing special – 15% off updo’s and 10% off blowdrys (and a free glass of bubbles before you even get to the track!) to ensure your hair is at its best all day, and not just the first hour before the rain hits.

Bring in your hat and see what the girls can do!

Salon M
9827 9959
409 Malvern Rd
South Yarra 3181

Pssst! Follow @SYSalonM on Twitter to win!

Psst – If you start drinking early, chances are you’ll need a ride to the races! Jump on the Honey bus and get to the track and back without putting a foot on a pedal.