WITH the nation’s big name designers on speed dial, front row seats at fashion shows and plenty of cash to splash, whipping up a Caulfield Cup Carnival outfit is hardly a stretch for most celebrities.
Luckily for the rest of us following in their fashionable footsteps is relatively easy with many of Melbourne’s most recognised ladies happy to share their style via social media.
This year the Melbourne Racing Club and David Jones have invited some of our most followed style mavens to share their take on Spring racing fashion.
Nadia Bartel is leading the charge as the 2016 BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival Style Ambassador. She is joined by Face of the BMW Caulfield Cup Carnival Elyse Knowles.
Bartel is known for her fashion blog Chronicles of Nadia and appearances on the Brownlow red carpet with husband AFL footballer Jimmy Bartel.
Her blog, which has more than 200,000 followers, covers new trends, shopping finds, and beauty tips.
Bartel will be using that know-how as a judge on the panel of Caulfield’s new fashion competition.
Instead of a traditional runway, racegoers are invited to take part in a professional photo shoot, complete with hair and makeup artists, photographers and an editing suite, before entering their top three pictures via social media.
“The new Westfield Style Stakes competition will connect with a wider group of racegoers and will encourage new entrants to get involved as there are no daunting runways – it’s just a fun photograph!” Bartel said.
Prior to the start of the carnival, she predicted racegoers would be ditching the frock in favour of suits and separates with lace in light blue, pink and lilac also popular.
Her own favourite colour – white – is also likely to be a key trend.
“There is something about wearing all white that makes me feel a million,” she blogged earlier this Spring.
“Wearing white from head to toe may not suit everyone, but I always feel effortless and fresh when I wear it.”
Her fellow celebs clearly all got the memo in time for last weekend’s Caulfield Guineas.
All white ensembles were the runaway winners with Elyse Knowles, stylist Lana Wilkinson, WAG Brit Davis and fashion blogger Chloe Kermeci all donning the hue.
Bartel has even included tips on nailing the all-white look on Chronicles of Nadia.
They include adding different textures such as lace, linen or sheer panels and mixing shades of white together.
She also recommends a natural beauty look to complement the all white ensemble with a red or orange lip to avoid looking “too pretty”.
Bartel also favours black accessories to complete the package.
She also has an answer to the age old question – What comes first? The frock or the hat?
“Always choose your outfit first and coordinate your millinery with your outfit.”
David Jones fashion ambassador for the carnival Olympia Valance was a lone wolf at the Guineas in the celebrity pack with a bold red lace dress paired with a gold headpiece at Guineas.
