The Melbourne Cup has long been known as an urban fashion parade. The race track was one of the few places in colonial Australia where high society and the lower classes came together socially. 

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's premier annual thoroughbred horse race. Billed as a 'race that brings the nation to a standstill,' the sport is open to thoroughbreds 3 years old or older, with a distance of 3,200 meters. It is generally considered the most important "two-mile" race in the world. The sport is held by the Victoria jockey club on the first Tuesday of November at Melbourne's Farmington race course. It is also a public holiday in Melbourne.

Apart from the horse RACES, the biggest show of the Melbourne cup is the "racetrack fashion show”. The best dressed men and women will win rich prizes. Competitions such as the elegant headwear competition and, more recently, the headscarf competition have helped fuel the boom in Melbourne's headwear industry. The fashion shows are as catchy as the competitions themselves, such as the 1965 model Jean Shrimp ton, who won worldwide attention for her miniskirt in the Jockey Club costume awards.

Chris Kontos, Creative Director of Vogue Festival and South Australian Style Magazine, clues us in on his race-day fashion favorites ahead of AAMI Victoria Derby Day at Morphett Ville.

Image credits: Katie Fergus, Vogue Australia

“Racing season is my favourite time of the year because everyone I know is shopping up a storm and having the most exquisite hats made for the Spring racing carnival.

Fashion has evolved so much over the past 12 years that I have attended the carnival. Women are dressing even more lady-like with hemlines and all details considered, while gents are stepping up to the plate and wearing custom suits and designer shoes.

At the moment, I’m obsessed with a few looks…

Power suit for the ladies, created in big bright bold colors or pastel tones. Ladies wearing matching jackets and bottoms with traditional straw hats or a head band.

Voluminous dresses with large 80s sleeves and volume lines, with beautiful cut outs brining a modern edge to the traditional style.

Depending on the day, you can really relax the vibe of dressing by wearing just a chic and cool summer dress. Take my beautiful mate, Nadia Fairfax: she is wearing a divine knit stripe dress, bringing a relaxed vibe to the Caulfield Cup.

I am so excited to see what Derby Day has install this year as that’s my favourite day of the year. See you at the track!