With its high neck, gathered skirt and draping fabric across the shoulders, there were references to the Paris runway, traditional Indian designs and bedroom curtains.

“Well you also have to have fun,” said Waterhouse.

Annalise Dalins: Brownlow blue

Model and content creator Annalise Dalins came close to recycling her fairytale strapless Brownlow Medal red carpet look from Melbourne dressmaker Oglia-Loro couture.

“Blue is my favourite colour,” said Dalins, fiancée of AFL player Josh Daicos. Instead, she tapped the designer for a new dress in a similar shade, paying tribute to the day’s colour code.

This time, the fairytale skirt was traded for another corset-style dress, with a fitted skirt and draped kangaroo pouch front.

Dalin’s idea of comfort is a far cry from some of the looser polyester dresses spotted in the betting ring.

Count Nikolai of Monpezat

The Everest’s special guest, Danish Count Nikolai of Monpezat, traded European tailoring for Australian savoir faire in a P Johnson suit.

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For the dapper part-time model, who walked the runway for Dior, there are similarities.

“The drape reminds me of an Italian suit,” Nikolai said. “I like dressing up. I like showing people that you take yourself seriously.”

Nikolai is not sure if he’s serious enough to wear a top hat at Royal Ascot.

“That could look crazy, but I’d love to go.”

Regitse Thoustrup

“People in Sydney are a lot more dressed up than in Denmark,” says University of Sydney student Regitse Thoustrup, the sister of Count Nikolai’s girlfriend, Benedikte. “It’s more formal.”

In capri pants and a vest from Kookai, with shoes and a bag from Tony Bianco, Thoustrup provided a welcome, simple Scandi contrast to the evening gowns dominating the day.

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