Mighty Oaks

 

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Dress: Aje organza

Heels: Jo Mercer leather, elastic

Clutch: Asos velvet

Bracelet: Pitlochry Station Bookshop beads, elastic

Ring: Marc Jacobs metal

Headpiece: Hummingbird the Shop satin, embellishment

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Oaks Day is often informally called "Ladies Day" on the Spring Racing Carnival calendar & this year, I was determined to be "Queen for a Day" in this stunning ensemble, starting with this utterly divine burgundy organza midi dress with ruched bodice, tiered hemline & ruffled neckline/collar from Australian designer Aje that really gave me all the lovely "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" vibes that make my literature-loving heart race. I've styled it up with a pair of black leather & elastic ankle strap heels from Jo Mercer for a modicum of height, a duck egg blue velvet roll-top clutch from online emporium Asos to carry all the essentials, a heavily beaded bracelet that I picked up from the Pitlochry Station Bookshop when we visited Scotland years ago, metal flower ring from Marc Jacobs & finally, an embellished satin headband from Hummingbird the Shop that showcases all of the colours - burgundy, black, silver & of course, duck egg blue to draw it all together.

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Race That Stops A Nation

 

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Dress: Aje organza

Heels: Wittner patent leather, matte leather, grosgrain ribbon

Clutch: Rockmans woven, beads

Hinged Bangle: Gift, Precious Stones Jewellers silver

Cuff: Gift, Najo via Precious Stones Jewellers silver

Headpiece: Target satin, mesh, rattan

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Otherwise known as the "Race that stops a nation," Melbourne Cup Day is certainly right up there on the yearly fashion calendar... particularly for us hardworking stylists. This year, I decided to really go all out on my ensemble - despite the unrelenting heatwave we were experiencing - by styling up a gorgeous hot pink organza tiered & ruffled midi dress with exaggerated rosette shoulder detailing & small waist cut-out from Australian designer label Aje, white patent leather heeled slingbacks with black matte leather pointed toes & a pink striped grosgrain strap from Wittner & a monochrome tribal printed, woven clutch with pink beading from Rockmans (more than 15 years old by now!) to carry all the essentials. When it came to jewellery, I chose some of my favourite silver pieces - a chunky wave-shaped art deco hinged bangle from Precious Stones Jewellers & a circular tribal cuff from Najo (also discovered at Precious Stones) that were gifts from my parents & added a rather large, sculptural black satin, mesh & rattan headpiece from Target (more than 10 years old) to complete the look & really ramp up the drama!

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Talk Derby To Me

 

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Dress: Aje embroidered organza, satin

Mules: Wittner satin, leather

Bag: Broken to Brilliant vintage embroidered organza, beads

Hinged Bangle: Gift, Precious Stones Jewellers silver, onyx

Ring: Gift, Precious Stones Jewellers silver, onyx

Headpiece: Lovisa satin, faux flower

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Regardless of how you may feel about horse racing, there's no doubt that it continues to make quite an impression on the Australian calendar, especially for those interested in fashion. Over the years the "Fashions on the Field" competition has continued to gain popularity & never more than on Derby Day, where the tradition is to wear monochrome (black & white) only. For the occasion, I donned a stunning white floral embroidered organza midi-length smock dress with satin lining & thick tie straps from Australian designer Aje, styled up with a pair of black satin & leather mules from Wittner that have a real 1930s edge (I call them my "Philadelphia Story" heels as they remind me of a pair that Katherine Hepburn wears in that film) & carried a black floral embroidered organza pouch bag with beaded handle that I picked up from the Broken to Brilliant Op Shop to carry all the essentials. Whe it came to jewellery, I chose some special pieces that picked up on the art deco vibes - a silver mesh hinged bangle with silver & onyx clasp & matching silver & onyx square-shaped cocktail ring from Precious Stones Jewellers in Uptown (both birthday gifts from my parents a few years ago) for that touch of daytime shine - & added the finishing flourish in the form of a black satin faux flower headband from Lovisa.

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