October 6, 2020

BY JONATHON MORAN, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Safety was paramount at the Australian Turf Club’s annual Everest Carnival Fashion Lunch on TAB Epsom Day.

Temperatures were checked on arrival while social distancing was in full swing inside the Royal Randwick Racecourse ballroom.

Usually attended by about 800 guests, this year’s event was pared back to a COVID-safe 300 people, making it one of the most sought-after tickets in town.

The event was the brainchild of Australian Turf Club director Angela Belle McSweeney, who started Fashions On The Field at Royal Randwick in the 1980s, with the aim of bringing together the racing and fashion industries while raising funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.

“We are just thrilled,” Ms McSweeney said.

“To be holding this event despite everything and to show the world that Australian racing is thriving and the fashion industry is thriving despite all of the adversity this year, it is quite remarkable and special.”

Dany Karam, of top restaurant BLACK Bar & Grill at The Star, curated the delicious three-course lunch.

“It has been a long time since I’ve catered for this many people, which is exciting,” he said.

Guests enjoyed a parade of menswear from M.J. Bale and womenswear from Rebecca Vallance while singer Prinnie Stevens was a last minute call-up after Natalie Bassingthwaighte came down with a cold.