Secrets of the Birdcage - and my 'date' with a marquee lounge lizard

Secrets of the Birdcage and My ‘Date’ with a Marquee Lounge Lizard

The Birdcage has returned, and this year at Flemington's Derby Day, Melbourne’s pre-pandemic, champagne-soaked excitement truly burst back to life, writes Jana Hocking. The marquees left nothing to chance, delivering an afternoon filled with Gatsby-style luxury that made it easy to forget the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Major brands like Crown, Mumm, Lexus, Don Julio, and TAB clearly increased their spending this year, creating a dazzling spectacle to behold.

Where All Stories Begin: The Ladies’ Bathrooms

The atmosphere inside was thick with perfume and gossip—and in at least one marquee, traces of MDMA, once known as 'pingers,' which seemed to be the drug of choice among some non-famous race attendees.

While in the bathroom, I found myself involuntarily caught up in a lively debate about the comeback of polka dots. For about ten minutes, women passionately argued over the fashion merits of 'classic monochrome' compared to 'retro red.'

"The fashion stakes, it seemed, were sky-high."

This snapshot captures the exuberant return of Melbourne's finest social spectacle, blending glamour, fashion, and the unexpected back into the scene.

Author’s summary: The Birdcage’s revival delivers a lavish, vibrant experience filled with high fashion and spirited social moments, marking a triumphant return to Melbourne’s iconic Derby Day culture.

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Daily Mail Daily Mail — 2025-11-03

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