Jacqui Felgate, radio announcer
3AW’s Felgate wearing Alessandra Rich clover-print midi-dress, Maison Michel hat and Scanlan Theodore shoes.Credit: Eddie Jim
The pink clover-print midi-dress from one of Princess Catherine’s favourite designers, Alessandra Rich, is a style step-up for radio host Jacqui Felgate. When Felgate entered Fashion’s on The Field, years before finding her deft style footing in Scanlan Theodore heels, she made an unusual choice. “That was split down to my belly button,” Felgate says. “Not a good look. ”
The demure approach to day wear was completed with a veiled pink pillbox from Maison Michel. “It is wonderful to see people embracing traditional millinery again ... I’ve been a journalist for 20 years but if I wasn’t, I would love to have been a stylist.” Damien Woolnough
Lekaiya Rabbit, model
Lekaiya Rabbit wearing Peacock Millinery and Ikuntji Artists.Credit: Penny Stephens
It was a day of firsts at Flemington, with a hajib-wearing entrant in Fashions on the Field, and 18-year-old model Lekaiya Rabbit representing her Northern Territory community of Maningrida with pride – and stopping traffic in the Birdcage in her dress, a collaboration between Inkuntji Artists and dressmaker Jo Dunne-Politis.
Milliner Belinda Osbourne of Peacock Millinery, who created Rabbit’s hat, was inspired by a recent trip to the Top End. “Indigenous fashion really has a spotlight on it,” she says. “It’s so important that everybody who has a voice is heard. And that extends to the Birdcage as well – this is high-end.” Melissa Singer
Gabriella Pereira, Beare Park creative director
Gabriella Pereira in her own design with a Bottega Veneta bag, “borrowed from Mum”. Credit: Eddie Jim
“I know that you’re meant to be colourful but surely being pared back and elegant counts for something,” says Beare Park designer Gabriella Pereira.
On a Cup Daywhen half the Birdcage wore racing cosplay in lipstick red, Pereira’s backless dress in a silhouette borrowed from The Great Gatsby era was an understated tonic.
With a Bottega Veneta handbag “borrowed from Mum” and vintage earrings, Pereira was embracing the trend towards sustainability. “If someone wants to give me a sustainability award...” Damien Woolnough
Chantelle Ford, milliner
Queen of comfort … milliner Chantelle Ford.Credit: Getty
Milliner Chantelle Ford proved you don’t need to wear a dress to have a winning cup outfit. But it was actually a foot injury, not King Charles, that inspired her safari suit look. Being a milliner, Ford settled on her hat first, then her shoes.
“I needed to be able to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes,” she says. Then it was off to the shops, where she found her outfit at Cue.
“There are a lot of guidelines [about what to wear], which is wonderful, but you can really push that brief to make sure you ... have your own spin on things.” Melissa Singer
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