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

The Return of The Birdcage at Flemington's Derby Day

The Birdcage is back, and this year's Flemington Derby Day brought Melbourne's pre-pandemic, champagne-soaked energy roaring back to life, writes Jana Hocking.

Extravagance and Atmosphere

The marquees left nothing to chance. For one unforgettable afternoon of Gatsby-style luxury, attendees momentarily set aside the cost-of-living crisis. Brands like Crown, Mumm, Lexus, Don Julio, and TAB visibly increased their budgets, creating a spectacular scene.

Inside the Ladies' Bathrooms

The atmosphere was thick with perfume and gossip, and in at least one marquee, MDMA made an appearance. The drug, once called “pingers,” seemed the recreational choice for some non-famous racegoers.

A Polka Dot Debate

Inside the bathrooms, I was drawn—albeit reluctantly—into a lively discussion about the comeback of polka dots. For ten minutes, women debated the merits of "classic monochrome" versus "retro red," revealing how high the fashion stakes were.

"The Birdcage is back, baby - and this year at Flemington's Derby Day, it felt like Melbourne's pre-pandemic, champagne-soaked chaos had finally roared back to life."
"The atmosphere was thick with perfume, gossip - and, in one marquee at least, MDMA."

Author’s summary: The Birdcage returned to Flemington with lavish marquees and spirited social scenes, blending nostalgia, fashion debates, and a glimpse into the party atmosphere despite current challenges.

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Daily Mail Daily Mail — 2025-11-03

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