Secrets of the Birdcage and My 'Date' with a Marquee Lounge Lizard
The Birdcage is back, and this year at Flemington's Derby Day, Melbourne's pre-pandemic, champagne-soaked energy finally made a triumphant return, writes Jana Hocking. The marquees pulled out all the stops for a spectacular Gatsby-style afternoon, temporarily distracting everyone from the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Big names like Crown, Mumm, Lexus, Don Julio, and TAB clearly increased their budgets, creating an impressive display of extravagance.
Where the Story Begins: The Ladies’ Bathrooms
The atmosphere there was thick with perfume and gossip—and in one marquee, even MDMA, the recreational drug known as 'pingers,' seemed popular among a select group of non-famous racegoers.
Inside the bathroom, I unwillingly got caught up in a lively debate about the return of polka dots. For ten minutes, women passionately discussed the appeal of 'classic monochrome' versus 'retro red,' showing the high stakes of fashion at the event.
"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."
"The atmosphere was thick with perfume, gossip - and, in one marquee at least, MDMA."
Author’s summary: Flemington’s Birdcage returns with flamboyant luxury and lively social scenes, blending vintage glamour with contemporary indulgence amidst ongoing economic concerns.