Secrets of the Birdcage and a Marquee Lounge Lizard Encounter
The Birdcage is back, and at this year's Flemington Derby Day, Melbourne's pre-pandemic champagne-soaked chaos seemed to have returned with full force, writes Jana Hocking.
The marquees left no expense spared. For one spectacular afternoon of Gatsby-style extravagance, attendees momentarily forgot the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Brands like Crown, Mumm, Lexus, Don Julio, and TAB clearly increased their budgets this year, creating an impressive atmosphere.
The Ladies' Bathrooms: A Starting Point
The atmosphere inside the ladies' bathrooms was thick with perfume and gossip. In one marquee, MDMA—once known as "pingers"—was notably present, favored recreationally by a certain group of non-famous racegoers.
Polka Dots Debate
Inside the bathrooms, the author found herself reluctantly caught in a lively discussion about the comeback of polka dots. For ten minutes, women debated the merits of classic monochrome versus retro red patterns, showing that fashion stakes remained very high.
"The Birdcage is back, baby - and this year at Flemington's Derby Day, it felt like Melbourne's pre-pandemic, champagne-soaked chaos had finally roared back to life."
"Inside the bathrooms, I found myself - somewhat reluctantly - drawn into a spirited debate about the resurgence of polka dots."
Author's summary: The return of the Birdcage at Flemington Derby Day revived Melbourne's lively social chaos, marked by lavish marquees, bold fashion debates, and unexpected party vibes.