When I woke up in the morning to hail, rain and absolutely no sunshine, I pulled the covers over my head and went back to sleep for an hour before I had the courage to reluctantly peek out again. Oh Melbourne, you trickster! By the time my car arrived in Flemington the clouds parted to a gorgeous hot day that was more tropical than my imagined setting of Frozen. Derby Day for me is a time to catch up with friends when we all look classy because, let's face it, everyone looks amazingly pulled together in black and white. Drinking Mumm champagne isn't so terrible either ;). Here is my diary of the 2015 Derby Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

More of anything? More of everything with Jordana Sexton and Nadia Fairfax

Pearl meat deliciousness

 

 

 

 

 

With thanks to Myer, Mumm, Lexus and Lavazza for a great day!

This year, Derby Day had no help from naughty Melbourne weather with it’s decided reluctance to crack open the skies for constant sunshine or warm up the temperatures for girls in their traditional spring monochrome. Still, the Birdcage hummed with champagne, laughter and fun. The first day of the Spring Racing Carnival was all about fashion and how to adhere to the black and white rule in the most unique way possible. I had so much fun marquee hopping and hanging out with friends. Hereforth are my top picks of this year’s crème da la crème .. .

Best champagne: Mumm marquee.. Mumm champagne was getting poured everywhere but the Mumm marquee was the epicentre of sparkling good times. Let’s not forget the sword champagne opening.

Best views: Emirates. With it’s views over the track and a sprawling balcony, the Emirates tent was the place to watch the races

Best cocktails: Myer marquee. So many delicious cocktails, so little time.

What I wore: Toni Maticevski dress, Gianvitto Rossi pumps and Sarina Suriano headpiece and jewellery

Best dressed couple hands down were Michael and Lindy Klim. He wore a Hugo Boss suit and she wore a Dolce & Gabbana dress. They both wore Louboutin shoes.

Best food : Lexus pavillion! Not only did Attica’s Ben Shewry present a capsule restaurant concept with a delicious 3 course lunch but Neil Perry featured food from soon to launch Burger Project. There was even a gelato bar on the roof.

Best décor : Lexus pavillion. Springtime at its best

Best dancing: Lavazza marquee. I kinda had to be dragged out of there at the end of the day!

Thanks Flemington for another fun Derby day!

Rebecca Vallance is one of Australia's newest premier designers with international clout. Since showing on schedule at New York Fashion Week in February 2014, her structured tailoring and luxurious fabrications have catapulted her as one of our latest fashion exports. What I love about Rebecca's clothes is that they are sexy and strong yet elegant, feminine and timeless without ever compromising on quality : her garment fabrications are sourced from Paris and Italy whilst made locally. I collaborated with the RV brand on editing the newest "The Lady's Man" collection for the Spring Racing season.

Stand out with shimmering , reflective gold

Leather + a sexy thigh split = dress knock out. Pair with a fun headpiece

This dreamy silver lace dress hugs in all the right places while remaining elegant and light

A structured white dress with great detailing like this one is just perfect for Derby Day

Black and gold collide in this textured, tailored dress that is the perfect alternative to a plain LBD

This leather number in nude is my favorite – it adds sex appeal whilst staying completely elegant and on trend.

Check out Rebecca Vallance's collection now on rebeccavallance.com and in David Jones stores nationwide

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 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.

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!

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!