Derby Day: a bold political statement from a glamorous racegoer on one of the biggest days of Melbourne’s Spring Carnival
A racegoer at one of the main events of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival has made a bold statement with her dress by drawing attention to the plight of Palestinian citizens.
Angelica Mesisca Barrientos’ outfit caught the crowd’s attention at Flemington Racecourse for Derby Day on Saturday, not just because of its stunning design.
“This dress is definitely a talking point, but I’ve had nothing but positive feedback,” the 28-year-old owner of Sculpt Clinic in Adelaide told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms. Barrientos, a mother of two, said Israel’s retaliation against Palestine after terrorist attacks by the extremist group Hamas last month caused innocent people to suffer collateral damage.
“It is absolutely unacceptable, inhumane and it needs to be talked about,” she said.
“It hurts me every time I open my social media accounts and see bombs falling on innocent children, it is literally a genocide.”
Angelica Mesisca Barrientos, 28, from Adelaide wowed the crowd at Flemington on Saturday not only with the design of her dress but also with its political message
Ms. Barrientos, who runs the Sculpt Clinic, said she felt she had to say something because so many people are suffering in Gaza
Derby Day attracted tens of thousands of visitors to one of the biggest race meetings on the Australian stage on Saturday
Derby Day is held on the Saturday before Melbourne Cup Day and typically attracts the carnival’s second or third largest crowd, with tens of thousands of visitors dressing up in their finest suits and dresses.
Ms Barrientos’ dress was created by South Australian designer Cadell Canutto.
“I was nervous preparing to wear it because I didn’t know how people would react, but I wanted something super graphic that said ‘Free Palestine’ and got the message across.”
She added that the crowd at the event had been supportive despite the politically charged message.
“My biggest fear was that someone would spit on me, but that didn’t happen,” she said.
‘What’s the point of fashion if it’s not a statement?’
Other celebrities who made a splash at the event include Nadia Bartel, who arrived in a long strapless white dress with a high slit.
Nikki Phillips also dressed to impress in a black and white printed dress and black hat as she posed in the Penfolds tent.
AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith, 22, turned heads by attending with his gorgeous girlfriend Gemma Dawkins.
AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith, 22, turned heads by attending with his gorgeous girlfriend Gemma Dawkins
Georgia Love and her husband Lee Elliott hugged as they arrived at the Schweppes marquee
The young couple have been dating for a while, but Derby Day is the first major event they have attended together in public.
They looked completely in love and stylish, with Bailey wearing a casual gray suit, while Gemma wore an off-the-shoulder black dress and dark sunglasses.
Derby Day ambassador Demi Brereton, the girlfriend of AFL star Jy Simpkin, was in the spotlight as she posed up a storm at The Birdcage.
She adjusted her oversized hat and pouted at the cameras before cozying up to Jy.
Olivia Molly Rogers also made a style statement in a mid-black dress with a corset bodice.
She completed her look with a pair of black shoes and a sparkling clutch.
Derby Day ambassador Demi Brereton, girlfriend of AFL star Jy Simpkin, lapped up the spotlight as she posed up a storm in the birdcage