Lindy Klim and Samantha Armytage stole the show as they led the celebrity arrivals at Derby Day held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Saturday.
The model, 45, looked every inch the Balinese Princess she is as she arrived at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kickoff event wearing a gold crown.
She opted for an all-black look with a cropped jacket over a very form-fitting dress that highlighted her athletic figure.
The former catwalk star complemented her look with a designer handbag and a simple gold ring, elegantly styling her dark hair slicked back beneath her crown.
Meanwhile, 48-year-old Sam looked stunning in her unique duo-chrome ensemble.
The former Farmer Wants A Wife host opted for a conservative maxi dress which featured a white collar and short sleeves.
A black belt accentuated her waist, while she carried a white designer bag.
Her blonde tresses were meticulously straightened and tucked behind her ears, adorned with a white fascinator that matched her flats perfectly.
Lindy Klim, 45, (left) and Samantha Armytage, 48, (right) stole the show as they lead celebrity arrivals to Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne on Saturday
Olivia Molly Rogers looked angelic in an all-white dress which featured a strapless neckline and floral fixtures.
The former Miss Universe Australia, 32, let her genetically blessed features do all the talking as she slicked her dark locks back with a chunky white fascinator headband.
She opted for a glamorous makeup look, complete with a smoky eye and glossy nude lip, and carried a small white clutch in her hand.
Michael Clarke and Arabella Sherborne and Michael Clarke attended their first public event as a couple.
The former cricketer, 43, looked dashing in a black and white suit while his girlfriend, 32, slipped into a black embossed dress with a matching designer handbag.
Additionally, newly engaged couple Josh Daicos and Annalise Dalins attended the races, dressed in matching monochrome outfits.
The model looked every inch the Balinese Princess she is as she arrived at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kickoff event wearing a gold crown
She opted for an all-black look with a cropped jacket over a very form-fitting dress that highlighted her athletic figure
Lindy’s model daughter Stella, 18, (right) also made an appearance at the event, looking every inch the mirror image of her mother in an all-black outfit
The AFL WAG, 23, was all smiles as she donned a wide-brimmed fascinator with intricate cutouts.
Posing up a storm for the cameras, the social media star slipped her figure into a white halter neck dress as she carried a black handbag over her shoulder.
Rocking a natural makeup look, she elevated her ensemble with several pieces of staple gold jewellery.
Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards wore contrasting looks as they graced the Birdcage.
Anna, 37, wore a unique white strapless Mariam Seddiq gown, while Tim, 42, looked sharp in an oversized charcoal Marle suit.
Elsewhere, Tayla Broad (née Damir) opted for an all-black look instead as she hid her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses.
The former Love Island star, 27, put on a leggy display in a short halter neck dress which featured a plunging neckline.
Meanwhile, Sam looked stunning in her own duo-chrome ensemble
The former Farmer Wants A Wife host opted for a conservative maxi dress which featured a white collar and short sleeves
Olivia Molly Rogers, 32, (pictured) looked angelic in an all-white dress which featured a strapless neckline and floral fixtures
The former Miss Universe Australia let her genetically blessed features do all the talking as she slicked her dark locks back with a chunky white fascinator headband
She opted for a very glamorous makeup look with a smoky eye and glossy nude lip as she carried a small white clutch in hand
Arabella Sherborne, 32, (left) and Michael Clarke, 43, (right) attend their first public event as a couple
Rocking a very natural makeup look, the model practised sun safety with a wide-brimmed black hat, curling her brunette tresses into soft waves down her back.
Tayla kept her accessories to a minimum as she carried a silver clutch in hand and a matching chunky bracelet.
Brooke Warne and her boyfriend Alex Heath put on a show-stopping display at the glamorous event.
The daughter, 27, of late great cricketer Shane Warne opted for a black frock with a white collar while her partner looked dashing in a white suit.
Her brother Jackson, 25, also looked exquisite in a black suit and tie as he was joined by girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith.
Races veteran Kate Waterhouse put on a stunning display as she stepped out with a wide-brimmed white fascinator tilted atop her head.
The journalist, 40, who is the daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, slipped into a white dress covered in swinging tassels for the occasion.
She flaunted her massive diamond wedding ring as she opted for a natural makeup look.
Newly engaged couple Josh Daicos, 25, (left) and Annalise Dalins, 23, (right) also made an appearance at the races, garbed in matching monochrome looks
The AFL WAG was all smiles as she donned a wide-brimmed fascinator with intricate cutouts
Posing up a storm for the cameras, the social media star slipped her figure into a white halter neck dress as she carried a black handbag over her shoulder
Anna Heinrich, 37, (left) and Tim Robards, 42, (right) wore contrasting looks as they graced the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse
Anna showed off her chic sense of style in a white Mariam Seddiq frock
Radio star Lauren Phillips put on a busty display as she slopped into a black gown featuring several cutouts and a thigh high split.
The presenter, who boasts several Hollywood friends including Matt Damon, Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky, rocked a pair of killer point toed heels to complete her look.
Channel Nine star Francesca Cumani also made a stunning arrival during the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kickoff event.
The presenter, 41, turned heads in an off-the-shoulder A-line dress which gave her a beautifully classic silhouette.
Her Rebecca Vallance frock followed the black and white theme perfectly as it featured a stunning white bust which draped down into long black skirts.
Francesca accessorised with simple black pumps and pearl earrings as she donned a rounded white fascinator with a black bow.
The brunette beauty tucked her tresses behind her ears and slicked on a bold red lip to elevate her opulent look.
The horse racing presenter was all smiles as she prepared for the week ahead, opting for a baby pink manicure and a silver bracelet to complete her ensemble.
Model Montana Cox, 31, (pictured) opted for a racy black and white gown with cutouts across her bust
Elsewhere, Tayla Broad (née Damir), 27, (pictured) opted for an all-black look instead as she hid her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses
Brooke Warne (right) and her boyfriend Alex Heath (left) put on a show-stopping display at the glamorous event
Brooke and her brother Jackson (centre right) looked exquisite. Jackson was also joined alongside girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith (far right)
Races veteran Kate Waterhouse, 40, (pictured) put on a stunning display as she stepped out with a wide-brimmed white fascinator tilted atop her head
Derby Day’s history begins across the pond more than two centuries ago in 1787 when the Earl of Derby’s horse won the race while wearing black and white colours.
In 1910, King Edward died and in true Edwardian fashion racegoers swapped out their best clothes for black, the colour traditionally associated with mourning.
‘The women wore white flowers or pearls,’ celebrity stylist Donny Galella told NewsWire.
The story suggests this is where the black and white dress theme for Derby Day began.
Radio star Lauren Phillips (pictured) put on a busty display as she slopped into a black gown featuring several cutouts and a thigh high split
Channel Nine star Francesca Cumani, 41, (pictured) also made a stunning arrival during the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kickoff event
Francesca was seen posing with fellow Nine commentators David Gately, James Bracey, Grace Ramage and Tony Jones. All pictured
However, it’s entirely possible our penchant for black and white dressing on race day kickoff actually started with a humble advertisement.
That’s right, an advertisement found in a 1960 copy of Australian Women’s Weekly may have truly fast-tracked our strict black and white dress code for Derby Day.
At the time, Melbourne Cup attendees were offered a chance to win a £200 wardrobe prize (worth more than AUD$7,000 today) for best dressed.
The catch was that participants had to wear black and white to celebrate the Black & White whiskey manufactured by collaborator James Buchanan and Co.
The trend soon became a staple for Derby Day, with punters sticking to the duo-chrome colour palette for decades.
While Derby Day may be the strictest of all dress codes, it’s far from the only event during the spring racing carnival with a theme.
AFL couple Emma and Tom Hawkins arrived wearing matching monochrome looks with a hint of silver
Triple M Perth star Brittany Taylor (pictured) opted for an all-white look with a large bow at her back
VRC Ambassador Crystal Kimber-Peters (pictured) slipped into a loose black frock
Former Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Demi Brereton (pictured) put on a leggy display in a short white dress
AFL couple Lexi Mary (left) and Rory Lobb (right) made a dazzling appearance with the WAG opting for a pair of long black gloves to elevate her ensemble
Hawthorn captain James Sicily (left) looked dashing alongside his wife Emma (right) who flaunted her thigh split
AFL WAG Jessie Murphy (right) flaunted her figure in a white corset bodice alongside partner Marc (left)
AFL couple Bella Beischer (left) and Christian Petracca (right) were also in attendance
Melbourne Cup is all about bright colours and patterns while Oaks Day, also known as Ladies’ Day, encourages women to wear ‘all things feminine‘.
The final day of the week, Stakes Day, is far more relaxed, and while some rules are in place, it’s nothing compared with the kick-off event of the season.
The Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation, is one of the most fashionable of the year.
This is where Fashions on the Field comes into play.
First established in 1960, Fashions on the Field rewards the best-dressed punter with a prize, prompting racegoers to wear their boldest, most fabulous outfits.
‘Between black and white for Derby, the Melbourne Cup is the opposite,’ Mr Galella laughed.
This means wearing ‘bright, vibrant colours’ to celebrate spring and taking a step out of your comfort zone with your outfit.
Fashion trends may have changed over the decades, but the love of bright colours and patterns has stayed persistent during Melbourne Cup.
