Guest Voxfrocker Alexia Petsinis (below) reports from David Jones’ racewear collection show, the first of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week‘s runways in The Hub, a purpose-built bubble marquee anchored in the City Square. Check back for more reports as the week unfolds…
“Giddy is the season when spring fashion burgeons from a cloud of pastely-laces and calf-skimming frocks. ‘Giddy-up’ were the words on many a folk’s lips as David Jones presented a preview of their 2015 Spring Racing collection this morning. Cloaked in white noon-light, the MSFW Hub’s runway curated (in sequential race-day order) an edit of the chicest attire from some of David Jones’s leading local and international designers including Ginger & Smart, Manning Cartel, Dion Lee and Valentino. What to wear? How to wear it? When to wear it? Three cheers for DJ’s!
Hosted by David Jones’s racing ambassador Emma Freedman and the recently appointed face of the 2015 Caulfield Cup Carnival Emma Notarfrancesco, (pictured) spectators were reminded why it is we never tire of racewear trends reinterpreted each year in the lead up to the Spring Carnival. “In my time with David Jones we’ve seen racewear change a lot,” said Ms Freedman, who had donned a pristine white Bianca Spender jumpsuit. “There are so many different interpretations of how you can wear different garments and pieces to the track, I’ve loved seeing the evolution of that.”
On with the show, shall we?
Caulfield Guineas Day
Begin playing with black and white. Understated elegance is paramount (we have not hit the Derby yet friends!). Sweeping white statement flares from Ellery offered a refreshing alternative to common knee-grazers, as did a black fringed skirt from Kit X (Kit Willow’s latest offering) which sent the crowd into a flutter. For the more traditional, a black Valentino number flattered both waist and bust with cream lace paneling. Buon!
Kit X
Caulfield Cup Day
“Passion wears many colours” is the tagline for this year’s Caulfield Cup Day. Never was a truer word spoken. As the official fashion partner for the day, David Jones showed us just how many colours passion resides in. Quite a number indeed. Paired with a black Olga Berg fascinator, a desert toned Maje brocade shift won the race. And, while the champagne is flowing, let’s not neglect Willow’s dreamy-draped number of the same hue; opaque and dainty, trapping air bubbles with effortless elegance.
Maje
Derby Day
“To wear anything other than black and white on this day is sort of sacrilege,” offered Ms Notarfrancesco. Many smiled and nodded. Look out for mesh, bold stripes and pant suits galore this year. Manning Cartell wowed with a patterned overly mesh creation combining folkloric charms with modern sensuality. A Camilla and Marc cream studded frock was a gorgeous (and seemingly comfortable) offering for those who wish to make less of a statement. Gents; look to Jack London’s black and grey suit and ‘trackside dapper’ you shall be.
Jack London
Cup Day
The Day of Days requires the Frock of Frocks (one would assume?). Not necessarily. The multi coloured jacket-pant-corset ensemble from Camilla was a rather ingenius head-turner for those willing to take the plunge. Lover’s lace was of a cornflour blue; an ever-so-delicate take on vintage racewear, particularly when paired with Alannah Hill mint lace gloves, if you please. Thurley’s pink lace dress with asymmetrical hem details was superb for a splash of colour on the day. Lots of lace? Lots of love!
Thurley
Oaks Day
Ladies, your day of course! Pastels and pastels. A standout structured dress by Victoria Beckham struck the perfect balance: mauvey-blue, soothing to the eye and elegant in its simplicity. Look to Josh Goot for something slightly more femme-edgy, a top and skirt ensemble with sunshine-yellow lining was a gorgeous clash of contrast and silhouette.
See you at the track!
Words and photographs, Alexia Petsinis @alexiapetsinis
