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-drenched chaos finally returned with full force, writes Jana Hocking.
The marquees left no stone unturned. For one lavish afternoon of Gatsby-style extravagance, everyone seemed to forget the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Major brands like Crown, Mumm, Lexus, Don Julio, and TAB noticeably increased their budgets this year, making the event spectacular.
Where It All Begins: The Ladies' Bathrooms
The air was thick with perfume and gossip — and, in at least one marquee, MDMA. The drug once known as “pingers” appeared to be the recreational choice for a specific group of non-celebrity racegoers.
Polka Dots and Passionate Debates
Inside the bathrooms, I was drawn—somewhat reluctantly—into a lively debate about the comeback of polka dots. For a solid ten minutes, women fervently discussed the merits of “classic monochrome” versus “retro red.” The stakes for fashion were clearly 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.”
“The atmosphere was thick with perfume, gossip - and, in one marquee at least, MDMA.”
Despite the luxury and glamour, the vibrant social undercurrents gave the Birdcage a distinct and memorable character this year.
Author’s summary: At Flemington’s Derby Day, the Birdcage revived its glamorous pre-pandemic spirit, blending extravagant marquees with lively social scenes and nostalgic fashion debates.