Party people: November 9
The best parties from Sydney and Melbourne this week.
Photo: Shaney Balcombe
Melbourne
CUP DAY, OAKS DAY AND STAKES DAY
BEST MARQUEE: Emirates
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Like most things it wasn't just one thing. And it certainly wasn't the desperate spectacle of a proposal on its doorstep. What was it that Nietzsche wrote? "Without art we would be nothing but foreground and live entirely in the spell of that perspective which makes what is closest at hand and most vulgar appear as if it were vast, and reality itself." Who's to say what the German philosopher would have made of the German-themed Emirates marquee, but for those lucky enough to be inside its fairytale facade, modelled on Neuschwanstein Castle, there was art.
The art of mixed and unexpected company; Gigi Hadid , Spandau Ballet , The Blacklist 's Ryan Eggold , Ronn Moss and Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop . The art of entertainment, of dance, the Schuhplattler or "slap dance", the delights of bites, of kartoffelpuffer, of sauerbraten, of strudel, and the art, the unparalleled spectacle of the Flemington straight.
BEST MAN: Rich Sommer
He was loving it; "I think I secretly might be Australian, this is very much my speed," Sommer said. A guest of Bar Schweppes, and known for his role as Harry Crane on Mad Men , we wondered, as Mad Men approaches its denouement, what has it taught you about masculinity? "You come up learning that masculinity is sort of about being brash and drinking a lot and, you know, looking at women, and I think it has taught me that masculinity is more about an inner confidence, and that can express itself in the way you dress, in the way you speak, but just a quiet confidence." Did everyone else learn that? "Nope, they didn't," he said laughing, "the rest are idiots."
BEST CRIMINAL MIND: Gigi Hadid
She's an It girl, a model who has walked for Chanel, shot for Sports Illustrated , she is the face (and body) of Tom Ford's Velvet Orchid fragrance, not to mention an accomplished equestrian but, in the Emirates marquee on Cup Day, we were intrigued by Hadid's darker corners. You're studying criminal psychology at The New School in New York? "Yes! As a kid, instead of watching the Disney channel I'd be watching Forensic Files ; that's not the CSI -fake one, that's the real, full-on one; I was always really interested in it. Everyone in fashion jokes, when I tell them I'm studying criminal psychology, 'Yeah, you're in the right business'." Which way are you going to go? "I think I'll definitely go the fashion way. It's great because fashion opens so many doors, whether that's me having a cooking show one day, I love to cook, I'm a big foodie, or acting, or whatever that is. Psychology is, I guess, my Plan B, something that's there that keeps my mind going."
BEST TASTE: Lexus Design Pavilion
It's only one of the best restaurants in the world and the second floor of the Lexus Design Pavilion was its second home, home to chef Ben Shewry and his Attica pop-up concept. Shewry treated guests to a sit down menu that included Walnut in its shell, Salted Red Kangaroo and Bunya Bunya, and Pukeko's Eggs. Pukeko's Eggs, a dessert, was inspired by a painting Shewry's father did of the native New Zealand birds. "He's a naturalist painter, it's such a beautiful painting, I wanted to create a dish inspired by it," Shewry said. "The dish looks kind of intimidating, a little scary, it's eggs in a nest, but when you eat it it's just like a super simple pleasure of white chocolate and salted caramel. It's nice to scare people a little bit, visually, but when they eat it they're so happy."
BEST TRUTH: Erykah Badu
Already a multi Grammy award winner, she is now the face of Givenchy, praised by the house's artistic director, Riccardo Tisci, for her elegant and urban style: "Her look can be quite feminine with the turban and a dress but also masculine with flat shoes or trainers. It all works." So when Badu arrived at Caffe Lavazza on Cup Day we wondered if style is something born or made. "Style is something you're born with, like taste, it came to my head."
Sydney
MELBOURNE CUP PARTIES
The race itself is, of course, in Melbourne, but Sydney partied with all its might and seized the year's biggest racing day in style.
IN THE CBD
At the Argyle, in the Rocks, more than 3000 partygoers galloped through the gates from 11am for the Get Racy party. With Rabbit, from Nova, on MC duties, the bash spread out over five bars and the courtyard. Entertainment behemoth Ivy had parties in every space while highlights at nearby Establishment included Mr Wong's 10-dish banquet by Dan Hong and an elegant little bash in the Garden that channelled a bit of Birdcage with a floral, leafy look. More than 30,000 revellers passed through the doors of The Star and consumed almost 1500 kilograms of prawns, 22,800 oysters, 2000 duck pancakes and 300 litres of ice-cream. Richard Wilkins and Sally Obermeder made special appearances around the various restaurants including Black by Ezard and Balla, judging best dressed. Timomatic performed live at Rock Lily, and Marquee Sydney hosted the Moet & Chandon Melbourne Cup after party.
AT THE TRACK
Royal Randwick's Cup Day attracted racing enthusiasts eager for an authentic atmosphere and real-life horse racing ��� there were nine local races plus the Flemington action on a giant screen. Many pointed out that racewear only feels right at the track, and dressed up to prove it.
IN THE EAST
Double Bay's hot new Vine Bar led the eastern action with a luncheon where Tom Williams kicked up his heels with Josh Flinn, Brett Finch and a well-groomed crowd. Nearby, Mrs Sippy guests tucked in to a three-course lunch hosted by Laura Csortan, which blossomed into a high-spirited after-party with tunes from DJs Murray Lake and Alice Q. The Yellowglen Pop-up Cup transformed the Paddington Markets site into a bustling laneway festival with wine and beer bar, Yellowglen cocktails, street-style food and tunes by Berlin-based DJ Alley Oop, hosted by jewellery designer Samantha Wills. Actors Gracie Gilbert and Sophie Hensser mingled with singer Joelle Hadjia and The Bachelor "date crasher" Mary O'Neill. Kerri-Anne Kennerley hosted Melbourne Cup at Chiswick in Woollahra, where owner Matt Moran welcomed guests including Alison Langdon and Geoff and Sara Huegill.
BY THE BEACH
Watching the race by a glorious beach is the quintessential Sydney Melbourne Cup experience. Coastal spots to luxuriate included Whale Beach boutique hotel Jonah's, which laid on a decadent luncheon and two glam fashion shows washed down with Taittinger; Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, where a beach club party put an equine slant on the venue's Miami-meets-Ibiza vibe, and North Bondi Fish, where celebrations hosted by Magdalena Roze spilled onto the beach.
GREG NATALE BOOK LAUNCH
Yes, there was life outside the Cup this week. Interior designer Greg Natale launched his first book, The Tailored Interior , at Coco Republic, in Alexandria. More than 250 guests from the design world included Steve Cordony, who created themed areas based on looks from the book, and jewellery designer Emma Swan.