Monochrome magic! Lindy Klim and Olivia Molly Rogers steal the show as they lead celebrity arrivals to Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse

Lindy Klim and Olivia Molly Rogers stole the show as they led the celebrity arrivals to Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, on Saturday.

The model, 45, looked every bit the Balinese princess she is as she arrived at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kick-off wearing a gold crown.

She opted for an all-black look with a cropped jacket over a very form-fitting dress that highlighted her athletic figure.

The former catwalk star carried a designer handbag and accessorised with a single gold ring as she swept her dark locks back under her crown.

Meanwhile, Olivia, 32, looked angelic in an all-white dress with a strapless neckline and floral arrangements.

The former Miss Universe Australia let her genetically blessed features do the talking as she swept back her dark locks with a thick white headband.

She opted for a very glamorous makeup look with a smoky eye and glossy nude lip while carrying a small white clutch.

Elsewhere, Tayla Broad (née Damir) opted for an all-black look as she hid her eyes behind dark sunglasses.

The former Love Island star, 27, put on a leggy show in a short halter neck dress with a plunging neckline.

Sporting a very natural makeup look, the model practiced sun safety with a wide-brimmed black hat as she curled her brunette locks in soft waves down her back.

Tayla kept her accessories to a minimum as she carried a silver clutch and a matching chunky bracelet.

Racing veteran Kate Waterhouse put on a stunning performance as she stepped out wearing a white fascinator with the wide brim slanting across the top of her head.

The 40-year-old journalist, the daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, donned a white dress for the occasion, covered with swirling tassels.

She showed off her huge diamond wedding ring as she opted for a natural makeup look.

Channel Nine star Francesca Cumani also made a stunning arrival at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival kickoff event.

The presenter, 41, turned heads in an off-the-shoulder A-line dress that gave her a beautifully classic silhouette.

Her Rebecca Vallance dress followed the black and white theme perfectly as it featured a beautiful white bust that fell into long black skirts.

Francesca wore simple black pumps and pearl earrings as she donned a round white fascinator with a black bow.

The brunette beauty tucked her locks behind her ears and put on a bold red lip to elevate her luscious look.

The horse racing host was all smiles as she prepared for the week ahead, opting for a baby pink manicure and a silver bracelet to complete her ensemble.

The history of Derby Day begins over two centuries ago across the pond, in 1787, when the Earl of Derby’s horse won the race in black and white colours.

In 1910, King Edward died and in true Edwardian fashion, racegoers swapped their best clothes for black, the color traditionally associated with mourning.

“The women wore white flowers or pearls,” celebrity stylist Donny Galella told NewsWire.

The story suggests that this is where the black and white dress theme for Derby Day began.

However, it’s entirely possible that our penchant for black-and-white clothing at the race kickoff actually started with a modest advertisement.

That’s right, an advertisement found in a 1960 copy of Australian Women’s Weekly may have precipitated our strict black and white dress code for Derby Day.

At the time, Melbourne Cup participants were given the chance to win a wardrobe prize of £200 (over AUD$7,000 today) for the best dressed person.

The catch was that participants had to wear black and white to celebrate the Black & White whisky, crafted by employee James Buchanan and Co.

The trend quickly became a regular feature of Derby Day, with punters sticking with the duo-chrome color palette for decades.

While Derby Day may be the strictest of all dress codes, it is far from the only themed event during the spring racing carnival.

The Melbourne Cup is all about bright colors and patterns, while Oaks Day, also known as Ladies’ Day, encourages women to wear ‘all things feminine’.

The last day of the week, Stakes Day, is much more relaxed, and while there are some rules in place, this is nothing compared to the kick-off event of the season.

The Melbourne Cup, the race that holds a nation back (at least in Victoria), is one of the trendiest of the year. This is where Fashions on the Field comes into play.

First established in 1960, Fashions on the Field rewards the best-dressed punter with a prize, forcing racegoers to wear their wildest and most fabulous outfits.

“Between black and white for Derby, the Melbourne Cup is the opposite,” laughed Galella.

This means wearing “bright, vibrant colors” to celebrate spring and taking a step out of your comfort zone with your outfit.

Fashion trends may have changed over the decades, but the love for bright colors and patterns has remained persistent throughout the Melbourne Cup.

There’s more to come.