Are soft waves basic? Are pearls passé? When it comes to planning your looks for Spring Carnival, balancing the traditions of racewear with current trends can send anyone into a spiral. We reached out to tde., Australian Fashion Labels Head Stylist Jazz Mignone and one of Haircare Australia Brand Managers Jamie Doran for the latest in fashion, accessories and hair – because you don’t need a glam squad on speed dial when you have FATR at your fingertips!
Australian Fashion Labels Head Stylist Jazz Mignone says we can expect to see a strong focus on colour, bright prints, sequins and babydoll shapes from BNKR this season. “Most importantly, I think there is room to dress how you feel,” Jazz said. “BNKR has glamorous options including sequins and satin fabrications whilst also allowing for a more dressed-down daytime approach featuring linen-like fabrics, puff sleeves and mini dresses in fun prints,” she said. “Western, or ‘western glam’ as we like to call it, is on the forefront at the moment and can easily be adapted into your racewear looks.”
Jazz’s personal pick from BNKR’s bounty of Spring Carnival options is the Finders Keepers ‘Briggitte Knit Dress’ in green. “It’s fun, sophisticated and something different,” Jazz said. “I also love the ‘Break In Two Maxi Dress’ in Cream or Black from C/MEO COCLLECTIVE,” she said. “It is a tiered maxi in soft day-time fabrication which is reminiscent of Scandinavian styling; wear it as you please, it is easy to dress up or down.”
“If you are after bold and bright, C/MEO COCLLECTIVE and Finders Keepers have pieces which should tickle your fancy with western trims, ruching and a palette of watermelon, hibiscus, lime and fuchsia,” Jazz said. “Keepsake have a plethora of dresses offered in a beautiful cosmetic palette - the ‘Own It Midi Dress’ in copper is a must.”
With Derby Day in mind, Jazz is a fan of incorporating both black and white into the one ensemble. “C/MEO offers a cute, fun white-with-black polka dot print in a range of styles, which would be perfect,” Jazz said. “A padded headband and irregular pearl accessories are sure to complete your look,” she said. “Melbourne Cup Day and Oaks Day, you can go for colour, which I am always a fan of; try an exaggerated floral print, or bright coloured sequin for some fun.”
As we transition into the warmer months, Jazz wants you to consider a new addition in footwear. “An open sandal/mule from Jaggar will slide you straight into spring/summer,” Jazz said. “The October collection is fun and colourful and perfect for jeans and a tee as you transition into spring.”
To coordinate your colour pop shoes with your arm candy, try tde.’s pastel Mini Cross Body Bags in Iceberg Blue and True Lavender. For a neutral feel, the Pale Pink Micro Bag is the tde. take on the tiny bag trend with enough space for your cards, coins and single keys. However, if you prefer to keep your hands free at the track, the Light Violet Micro Bag with Waist Strap will add a spring sensation to any carnival ensemble.
In headwear, Jazz is praising the padded headband trend. “The taller the better!” she said. “Mismatched clips are also a cute way of incorporating headwear without a traditional fascinator.”
But before you slip on your headpiece, Haircare Australia Brand Manager Jamie Doran believes unforgettable Spring Carnival hair begins at the basin. “To prepare your hair for Spring Carnival events, start with a great shampoo and conditioner,” Jamie said.
“Choose a Shampoo and Conditioner that suits your hair type,” she said. “The evo range includes The Therapist Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, Ritual Salvation Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner, Mane Tamer Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner and Normal Persons Daily Shampoo and Conditioner.”
And if your locks are tinted, evo has a solution. “Conditioning with evo Fabuloso Colour Boosting Treatment once a week will eliminate brassiness from blondes and keep colour from fading,” she said. “Then, Happy Campers will be your new best friend.”
The versatile leave-in treatment boasts style support, combining the benefits of repair with volume and hold, while fighting off UV and heat damage. With an added sweet scent, Happy Campers is your ultimate race day plus one. Then comes Day of Grace – a primer for styling. Also featuring UV protection, the pre-style product will keep your locks unharmed after a day in the sun.
“Prior to using hot tools, we always recommend a heat protectant spray and Icon Welder works to smooth, detangle and prepare hair for heated styling,” Jamie said. This season’s styling trends are loosely textured waves, which racegoers can create using the Cloud Nine Curling Wand, or a sleek ponytail with the help of the Cloud Nine Wide Iron to sit underneath headwear.
“Regardless of whether you’re wearing your hair up, down, straight or textured, shiny and healthy hair is always on trend and of course, no one can resist a bouncy blow dry with volume and shine,” Jamie said. “The Cloud Nine Wide Iron gives you the ability to choose from seven different heat settings to create shine, and so that your style holds for longer,” she said. “The mineral-coated ceramic plates are also kinder on the hair, leaving it feeling healthy and conditioned.”
This season, Jamie advises against lacquered locks, instead embracing texture and movement. “The Cloud Nine Original Iron is the perfect, all-rounder hair straightener, with seven heat settings to ensure your hair is cared for and styles last longer,” Jamie said. “The Cloud Nine Curling Wand is a must-have too,” she said. “It makes voluminous curls with bounce so easy to create!”
“The best part of Spring Carnival is getting to try so many different styles,” Jamie said. “Depending on what you’re wearing and the headpiece you’re accessorising with, consider the weather,” she said. “If it’s forecasted to be windy, consider a high, sleek ponytail accessorised with hair jewels or sleek ribbons using the Cloud Nine Wide Iron, or textured waves accessorised with on-trend embellished clips or a plush headband.”
But of course, longevity at the races is of the utmost importance and much of evo’s range is made in travel sizes. “We recommend Water Killer Dry Shampoo to keep hair volumised, and a touch up of Miss Malleable or Builder’s Paradise hairspray as needed,” Jamie said. “Love Perpetua Shine Drops give great shine and Haze is a wonderful styling powder for updos that need a little more grit and texture,” she said. “There’s also a travel salt spray which is great for summer, too!”
For men, Jamie recommends texture without the product-heavy feel. “For this, Crop Strutters by evo is fantastic,” Jamie said. “It’s a styling cream that gives medium hold, support and separation with medium shine.”
You can sport your hot locks at South Australia’s upcoming Fashions on the Field events. Read more about the competition and prizes here.
