By the time most people shake their Derby hangover, model Georgia Fowler, who was at Penfolds, will be on a return flight to New York after a quick 48-hour visit to Melbourne. So, what’s the secret to surviving the long-haul flight and still looking this good? “I make sure I get a good night’s sleep on the plane. Flying without children is a bit like a holiday,” said the mother of two. Fowler’s sleek strapless dress with an “abstract bow” had the look of leather, but on closer inspection turned out to be a brushed, sueded satin. Melissa Singer
Abbey Lee
Australian supermodel turned actor Abbey Lee wearing vintage Mugler in the Landmark by Lexus marquee on Derby Day.Credit: Eddie Jim
Dress: Vintage Mugler
Millinery: Noel Stewart
Former supermodel Iman (Mrs David Bowie) is a tough act to follow, but Abbey Lee knows her way around a vintage gown. “It was worn on the runway in 1989 by Iman,” Lee said. “I feel like I’m stepping into solid shoes.” The Melbourne-born model and veteran of Gucci, Saint Laurent and Chanel campaigns, who recently starred opposite Kevin Costner in the western Horizons, was the special guest of the Landmark by Lexus marquee. Lee was attracted to the angular structure and masculine tailoring references of the dress. “I like to feel strong.” Damien Woolnough
Kate Waterhouse
Fringe benefits: Kate Waterhouse wearing Scanlan Theodore in the Landmark by Lexus marquee.Credit: Eddie Jim
Dress: Scanlan Theodore
Millinery: Ezara J
Racing royalty Kate Waterhouse stuck with the lighter side of the Derby Day dress code in a cream dress with white fringing from Scanlan Theodore. “I feel like you can either do all white, all black or monochrome on these days,” Waterhouse said. The fringed material was snapped up by Scanlan founder Gary Theodore. “I fell in love with it straight away.” Waterhouse is at home throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival, but Derby Day is her favourite style stretch. “Everyone looks elevated.” And that’s before the first champagne. Damien Woolnough
Rebecca Harding
On point: Rebecca Harding in Sportmax.Credit: Eddie Jim
Dress: Sportmax
Millinery: Stylist’s own
Fashion personality Rebecca Harding, fiancee of TV personality Andy Lee, looked like the cat – or the rabbit, given the neckline of her Sportmax dress – that got the cream when asked about her millinery. “It’s actually a pair of stockings. My stylist [Jess Pecoraro] had a very clear vision of what she wanted [on my head] and we couldn’t find it, but we did find it in the sock drawer ... which her mum cut up and sewed together,” she says. Meanwhile, Lee was enthusiastically spruiking the economics of Harding’s choice of headwear. “It’s nice to counteract all the other expensive things,” he joked.
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