Derby Day is my favourite day on the racing calendar. The black & white palette , the fresh , excited faces and the rose covered Flemington raceway are always such a spring treat. It is also a fun way to have a ball with friends, drink a little bit too much champagne and have a go at picking the winner. This year I was invited to the gorgeous three story Lexus Pavillion, designed by Hecker Guthrie, which paid subtle homage to Katsushika Hokusai's infamous "The Wave off Kanagawa".
The Lexus pavillion within the Birdcage
White Peonies and paper lanterns
The Japanese influences extended further by being incorporated in a contemporary way - 200 lanterns,custom made ceramics by Andrei Davidoff and timber framing across bar fronts, day beds and tables adorned the bright and airy space. Hihou pop up restaurant and a Temaki Bar with rolls made to order in front of guests further underscored the Japanese theme, while Neil Perry designed a canapé menu that included distilled signature dishes from his two hat restaurant Rosetta and Rockpool bar & Grill. Acclaimed photographer Hugh Stewart photographed the guests, while the all new IS 350 F Sport model Lexus car was showcased in the Pavillion (to my great delight). Mumm champagne flowed and the food was delicious, not to mention that I got to catch up with many familiar faces in their fabulous best.
The amazing mr Hugh Stewart at the helm of his camera
Tuna, Salmon and Wasabi rolls
Delicious handmade spun pastry parcels with curd and basil
Julian Tobias and Lara Bingle
Josh Goot and Christine Centenera
The gorgeous Naomi Campbell
Come on - you know I can't resist a car shot!
My beautiful girlfriend Lindy Klim and I took a little walk through the Birdcage enclosure to mingle, check out the other Pavillions, take a bet on the Derby Day race and cause some mischief!
Taking a walk on the wild side with Lindy Klim
Yellow rose photo op with Romy Freedman and Lucy Kemp
Best G&T's at the Schweppes tent
Lindy & Michael Klim looking ethereal at Emirates
Getting in on the action
Dancers at the Emirates tent heralding the big race
About to double my money with hot tip Polanski!
Both Lindy and I were dressed by this man : the handsome Toni Maticevski
No Derby Day would be complete without some monochrome fashion tips. Here are my outfit details...
Headpiece by Maison Michel
Vintage crystal earring by Weiss
Sunglasses by Tom Ford
Clutch by Rachel Ruddick
Dress and belt by Toni Maticevski
I created my simple nude look by concentrating on a beautiful, dewy , but long lasting base. Firstly by using Dior's Skin Flash Primer to prep the skin , then Giorgio Armani Designer Lift foundation and finally I finished with YSL's touche eclait under the eyes and as a highlight. I then contoured my face with Esteé Lauder's Bronze Goddess blush, applied lashings of Esteé Lauder's Sumptuous Extreme mascara, defined the eyebrows with UNA cosmetics' eyebrow pencil and finished off by using Hourglass Trace lip pencil in Bare as a matt lipstick. A quick slick of Marc Jacob's nailpolish in Funny Girl et voilá! Race Day ready!
Thank you Lexus and EVHpr for another amazing Derby Day!
