Melbourne
MYER FASHIONS ON THE FIELD LAUNCH, FLEMINGTON
It was a test, we were playing, we just wanted to see what would happen if we asked, "Does the Melbourne Cup Carnival ever get old, do you ever just go, 'Meh'." Kris Smith was aghast: "No!
Tiegan Nash and Locky Gowland at the UGG Australia store launch Photo: Chloe Paul
was aghast: "No! Never, how very dare you," he laughed. "It's one of the best sporting events of the calendar, not just here, but globally. I love the days, I love the week, I love everything about it."
Party people: October 31
From Fashions on the Field to launch parties, here's a rundown of last week's events in and around Sydney and Melbourne. Photo: Shaney Balcombe
There was fashion to love at the Myer Fashions on the Field launch at Flemington on Wednesday. State finalists Shauna Dennett (NSW), Michelle Boyes (SA), Nikki Gogan (WA), Stephanie Martin (QLD) and Brooke Strahan (TAS) more than held their own, their bloom, their colour, among Flemington's roses, and we were intrigued by Strahan's story. Set to compete amid the carnival that never gets old, she built her look around something very old: vintage gloves, her grandmother's.
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"She bought them in the 1950s at the flagship store for Grace Bros in Sydney," Strahan said, "and she gave them to me when I was 18. They were the inspiration for the greys in my outfit. Because of the gloves, I was inspired by 1950s fashion, looking at photos of my grandmother from that era, and I like to combine vintage with modern, cutting-edge Australian fashion." What does your grandma think of all this, a state finalist? "She loves it, she's very excited."
FRAU JEWELLERY LAUNCH, LUCKY PENNY
Pretty with a purpose, covetable with a conscience, FRAU Jewellery by Kate Bollard launched on Tuesday night at Lucky Penny in Chapel Street, inspired by Bollard's great grandmother, Phyllis. "She was 101 when she passed away," Bollard said. "She lost her husband when she was in her thirties and lived on her own until she was 99. She lived her whole life as an independent, strong woman, raised two children, and she showed that I can do this, I can do this on my own, or with a family, or whatever."
FRAU Jewellery supports women by donating 10 per cent of every purchase to the Cancer Council to improve the lives of women with cancer. "It's Phyllis' legacy," Bollard said.
The Block 's Karstan Smith is the living legacy of his grandma, Ellen, "but we call her Mumo. We have laughs, she loves a good drink, red wine; she is my everything." What does she always say to you? "She says a lot, a lot of wise words, but she taught me good table manners, she's big on that, and just being nice."
LE LOUVRE X LAURENT PERRIER SPRING RACING PARTY, LE LOUVRE
On Thursday night we hit the trifecta. In Daly Street, South Yarra the triple treat was fashion, champagne and racing; Le Louvre, paying homage to the 80 thyear of the iconic Pleated Model, Laurent Perrier, allowing us to pay homage to whatever we choose, and the Melbourne Cup Carnival. So we wondered, what is your favourite set of three?
Julie Gaynor said: "My smoothie maker, my new runners, I just ran my first half marathon two weeks ago, two hours and two minutes, and my fiancé, Nathan, he makes me laugh."
"First, Wes Anderson movies," Emily Cameron said. "They're quirky and I love the scenery and the costumes and the whole thing." What do you say to those who suggest that Anderson, as a director, is twee? "I don't care. I say, 'I have to watch The Royal Tenenbaums at least once a year'. Number two, um, I was going to say I have a pet rat, Ratty, but he died recently. Maybe don't put that in the newspaper, it makes me sound crazy. And number three, my favourite drink, Amaretto Sour."
Sydney
NEIMAN MARCUS SETS OUT TRENDS
Ken Downing , fashion director at US temple of retail Neiman Marcus, is in Australia for the Melbourne Cup, so he popped up to Sydney to host a dinner for 80 at The Mint. Downing showcased some key looks (think Prada, Fendi, Missoni) to an avid crowd including actresses Marta Dusseldorp and Anna Bamford .
SWEET TOUCH FROM DESSERT DIVAS
At Cafe Paci celebrated chef Christine Manfield launched her new cookbook Dessert Divas , a rhapsody to all things sweet, playful and delicious, accompanied by treats from the book, including the legendary Gaytime Goes Nuts.
SUNGLASS HUT'S COOL SHADES OF SUMMER
A two-venue celebration of sunglasses began in the Sunglass Hut store on George Street, where new ambassador Natasha Oakley showed her capsule collection, before everyone was transported to Bennelong restaurant for dinner - where it was OK to wear your shades after dark.
MORAN ART PRIZES OPENING
Juniper Hall in Paddington filled with a culture-hungry crowd keen to view the winners of Australia's most valuable art prizes. Louise Hearman won $150,000 for the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for her paintings of photographer Bill Henson. Suzanne McCorkell ' s image of Australian paralympians won her $50,000 in the Moran Contemporary Photography prize.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SPINS INTO ACTION
Fans of the international acrobatic spectacle flocked to the opening night of Totem, in the Big Top at the Entertainment Quarter. A happy audience included Dr Katrina Warren , Claudia Karvan and a trim and terrific Jamie Durie , himself a Cirque graduate.
ALEXANDER WANG X H&M LAUNCH
A bash with a boxing ring seems a sensible idea when you consider the volatile world of Sydney's party people. But this one was merely to show off Alexander Wang's first ever performance-wear collection. The ring turned out to be a pop-up store and 200 VIP guests, including models Samantha Harris and Alexandra Agoston , became the first in the world to shop the collection.
UGG FLAGSHIP STORE OPENS
UGG unveiled its largest Australian store, on King Street - plus its new luxury home range and loungewear. With DJ duo The Faders providing a pumping soundtrack and a model and cool-kid crowd, this was UGG with its party face on.
ISOWHEY WHOLEFOODS UNVEILED
The launch of IsoWhey's new superfoods range at The Grounds of Alexandria was well attended by a crowd of fitness enthusiasts, including ex pro-gymnast Lauren Hannaford and wellness coach Melissa Ambrosini .
JOHNNIE WALKER HEADS TO THE RACES
Johnnie Walker revealed its first ever Australian space within a venue: The Blue Label Room at The Stables, at Royal Randwick racecourse. With Melbourne Cup round the corner, guests were happy to embrace the navy blue dress code and enjoy the whisky.