Race That Stops A Nation

 

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Dress: Sacha Drake jacquard

Heels: Wittner leather, elastic

Clutch: Gift, Alannah Hill beaded

Headband: Lovisa mesh

Bangles: Gift, vintage silver (from India)

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Although I didn't attend as many Spring Racing Carnival events this year as I normally would due to a packed work schedule, it didn't make my outfit for the "Race That Stops A Nation" or the raceday celebrations any less special! For the occasion - bubbly & a bit of a flutter for charity - I wore a stunning navy blue & silver floral jacquard fit-to-flare gown with asymmetrical neckline from Australian designer Sacha Drake, styled up with a pair of black leather & elastic gladiator-style stiletto heels from Wittner for an unexpected bohemian touch, a silver art-deco style silver & black beaded envelope clutch from Alannah Hill that my parents gave me as a birthday present a few years ago, a black mesh headband with rosette detailing from Lovisa (hiding in a box in the back of my closet for at least ten years, which is why I try to hold on to as much stuff as possible... you never know when it will come in handy for a look) to continue to evoke the "roaring twenties" vibe & finally, two chunky vintage silver bangles that a dear friend brought back from a trip to India to complete the look & add some daytime shine.

Scroll down to see more of the ensemble in these pictures taken under the breathtaking tree arch at a local park...

Cup Runneth Over

 

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Dress: Aje organza

Heels: Jo Mercer leather, elastic

Bag: Gift, vintage Pookie & Ness beaded

Bracelets: Jeweled Bazaar beads

Bangle: Gift, Mrs Polly's Lucite lucite, diamante

Headpiece: La Plume de Fleur via Etsy faux floral

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Following on from yesterday's post about this year's Spring Racing Carnival, I'm sharing all the pictures of the stunning ensemble that I wore to attend a Melbourne Cup luncheon. These gorgeous snaps were taken at Ipswich's historic Queens Park outside the orchid house & in the formal glasshouse garden & I'm channeling one of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha's Art Nouvea ladies from the late 1890s. I styled up this stunning burgundy organza tiered midi dress with ruched bodice, pleated paper-bag-style waistline & ruffled neckline from Australian designer Aje with a pair of black & elastic strappy heels from Jo Mercer for a modicum of height, a 1990s floral beaded handbag with fringing from vintage dealer Pookie & Ness, colourful faceted bead bracelets from Jeweled Bazaar for some daytime sparkle & a green lucite snake bangle with red diamante eye from Mrs Polly's Lucite, gifted to me by some dear friends. To complete the ethereal look, I added a large, faux floral crown from La Plume de Fleur (discovered on Etsy) that I have worn other years & absolutely adored.

Scroll down to see more...

Keep scrolling to see more beautiful moments captured on camera...

Race That Stops A Nation

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Dress: Anthea Crawford mesh, sequins, embroidery, satin

Heels: Carvela by Kurt Geiger via David Jones ombre patent leather

Clutch: Asos velvet

Hinged Bangle: Precious Stones Jewellers

Cuff: Wallace Bishop silver

Hinged Bangle: Oxfam Shop silver

Ring: Gift, silver, crystal

Headpiece: Hummingbird the Shop velvet, embellishment

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All sparkles all day long for the "race that stops a nation" (that's the Melbourne Cup to the uninitiated) in this beautiful, Anne Boleyn inspired ensemble. The utterly divine navy & duck egg blue sequinned & embroidered mesh midi dress with satin lining, sweet little cap sleeves & stunning cut-out hemline is from one of my all-time favourites, celebrated Australian designer & event wear queen herself Anthea Crawford & I've styled it up with a pair of shiny, ombre navy & beige patent leather pointy-toed heels from Carvela by Kurt Geiger (discovered at my local David Jones store & last worn to my brother & sister-in-law's wedding dinner), a blue velvet roll-top clutch from online emporium Asos to carry all the essentials including hand sanitizer & mask, a selection of gorgeous jewellery - a chunky silver "wave" hinged bangle from Precious Stones Jewellers, a brushed silver cuff from Wallace Bishop, a thin silver hinged bangle from Oxfam Shop that I've had for twenty years & a rectangular-shaped silver ring with blue crystal that was given to me by a dear friend for my birthday earlier this year. To complete the look & comply with raceday ettiquette, I donned a velvet headband heavily embellished with embroidery, beads & sequins from Hummingbird the Store, perching it on top of my bob for that "Tudor" era look that just evokes true royalty.

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