races

Spring Racing Carnival 2017 is going to be different without my sidekick and fashion blogger, Jess Dempsey of What Would Karl Do. She’s about to have her third baby anytime now and I couldn’t be more excited for her! As you know, I’ve been shooting all the race style moments for Jess’s fashion blog for the past four years, so if you ask me it does feels odd that I can relax, shoot for myself and spend time catching up with everyone inside the Lexus design pavilion.

The Lexus design pavilion this year was inspired by Kiriko cut glass ornamentation, and hand-pleated door trim of the new LS Hybrid 2018 model. Upstairs, you are invited to an culinary experience of Ben Shewry of Attica to sample a three-course tasting menu, a sushi bar dishing up endless slices of sashimi, dessert bar by Caroline Khoo of Nectar and Stone, for the second year running The Daily Edited were personalising wallets, and Hugh Stewart shooting guest portraits.

Well it goes without saying, a stunning venue wouldn’t be complete without the presence of fashionable race-goers, such as Elyse Taylor, Victoria Secret’s model, Kate Waterhouse, Zara Wong of Vogue Australia, Montarna McDonald of The Audience Agency, and Emma Freedman to name a few. And when I finally ventured outside to enjoy the fresh but icy cold weather, I was pretty stoked to spot and snap up a few of my favourite Derby Day looks being Viktoria Novak wearing a black Gucci dress and her own headpiece which was a long velvet bow with pearls, Virginia and Jordan Muir wearing head to toe in Christian Dior, Jennifer Hawkins in Jonathan Simkhai and hat by Ann Shoebridge. So you be the judge, which Derby Day outfit is your favourite?

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Photography by KAREN WOO
My penguin black leather and patent shoes are BARED FOOTWEAR. Thanks for keeping my feet good looking and comfortable! You too can own a pair here.

Please email hey@karenwoo.com.au for social usage as your support is greatly appreciated, thank you x.

Day three of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival brings us to Crown Oaks Day (aka Ladies Day). Oaks did not disappoint. The Ladies came in all the feminine glamour that my lens could wish for. Gowns, adoring floral, lace and bright colours, complimented with delicate bows, boaters and head bands, completed impeccable outfits. The seasons finest designer bags paired with killer Valentino rockstuds stole the show, and possibly the flesh of the brave ladies who wore them for hours (the heels that is). And what would ladies day be without the dapper gents who put in as much effort to get that perfect head-to-toe look.

I enjoyed Oaks very much this year. I even took a moment to have a chat to the lovely Bec Hewitt. Bec is a real sweetheart and down-to-earth, which of-course the media doesn’t like to portray. Don’t believe everything you read on the news stand!

Fashion on the fields is quite a step away from my traditional street style photography, but nevertheless I was still in my element, spotting and snapping the most fashionable Race goers having a good time.

Well it’s a wrap from me, that was my final day at the races, and I sincerely want to thank everybody for their support – PR agencies, my photographer buddies for hanging out with me, and all the fantastic people I got to meet and snap along the way. Oh, and thanks for the love regarding my coverage for What Would Karl Do too, I’m glad you are enjoying my take on fashion on the fields.

Lastly but not the least I want to thank the following people:

Jess Dempsey of What Would Karl Do for selecting me to work with her and for being a pleasure to shoot
Bared Footwear for saving my feet with stunning and comfy heels
Ezaraj for my beautiful and sparkly head piece
Lexus and Lavazza for welcoming me into your marquees with exquisite hospitality.

So here are the shots taken in and out of marquees and my “Birdcage street-style”.

Always Karen xx

*Please email hey@karenwoo.com.au for image usage or on social. Please ensure all credits are made to @whatwouldkarldo by @heykarenwoo as these were taken exclusively for WHAT WOULD KARL DO. Thank you!

Derby Day 2017 Street Style Highlights

Oaks Day 2016 Street Style Highlights