VIP with Melissa Hoyer

CLUB 23 at Crown, the high-rollers bar and chic hot spot, was the scene of Erica Packer's invite-only Derby night party, aptly tagged "Eri's Bar" for the night.

Most guests had slipped home for a quick costume change, to take their Derby hats off and be there for a 7pm start.

New mum Erica and husband James were in great form - relaxed, charming and very funny – catching up with so many familiar, friendly faces at the annual party.

Guests included Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch, Robby and Sarah Ingham, Danielle Spencer, Karl Stefanovic, Ros and Gretel Packer, Deeta Colvin, Martin and Michelle Walsh, Terry Biviano, Kate Waterhouse and Luke Ricketson, Matthew Csidei and lawyer wife Lauren Roscoe, sipping Dom Perignon and having a "normal" night away from trackside smart phone action.

Mahalia Barnes came on as a special guest at 11pm and had many of us up dancing and singing. Needless to say the singing and marquee screeching rendered me voiceless the next day.

Melissa Hoyer and Danielle Spencer

 

Alex Dimitriades did a brilliant job as the night’s DJ but singer Ronan Keating seemed very, very grumpy when leaving the club. His girlfriend, X Factor production assistant Storm Uechritz was sweet he was in a blue mood. Cheer up mate, the party was great!

Myer and Mumm champagne also hosted a post Derby party at The Botanical pub while Laurent Perrier hosted theirs on The Deck at the Prince with names like Rebecca Judd, Nadia Coppolino, Brian McFadden, Chris Judd and Gary Sweet, all in party mode, some continuing on to Eve nightclub.

Today, Eileen Bond is holding court at lunchtime at the infamous Flower Drum Chinese restaurant with most seasoned racegoers planning a reasonably early night before the early Cup day start tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Rosetta, Neil Perry’s newest and latest culinary venture at Crown has been pumping all weekend too, the celebrity (and damn good) chef holding court each night as he presides over full houses.

Samantha Harris dazzles on Derby Day

 

Some guests ventured to Rosetta after an ultra glam Moet-hosted party, which was also held at Club 23, the venue definitely the scene of many carnival cocktails.

The Moet party, where guests sipped chilled champagne out of big gold goblets, was another good soiree over the weekend and saw names like Susan Renouf, Eileen Bond, Ann Peacock, Helen McCabe, Anthony Cummings, Skye Leckie, Cindy Aboud, ModelCo boss Shelley Barrett, actor Tim Campbell and entertainer Anthony Callea all on that cast list. Meanwhile, the Lyall Hotel owners, Peter and Rowena Thomas hosted their annual Derby party as their chic South Yarra inn.

The Swisse marquee was the scene of the biggest media scrum as Nicole Kidman graced it with her commanding presence. Nicole had flown in the day before and was going straight back to Europe after the race to continue shooting her Princess Grace biopic.

After her media commitments Nicole and I had a very gentle catch up, perched on some foam lounges talking about family. Nicole threw a number of bucks on Derby second place getter, Too Cool. So she did OK!

Brynne Edelsten, Geoffrey Edelsten and Melissa Hoyer catch up trackside

 

And yes, the mega corporate marquees will be backing up again tomorrow serving a swag of Mumm champagne, lots of H2O and a zillion canapés.

If Derby Day is any indication this year’s Cup Day will be right back on form. Whether it’s Crown, Mumm, Myer, Swisse, Lexus, Yellowglen, Lavazza or Emirates, the big guns of corporate entertaining are sparing no expense hosting thousands of VIPs, celebrities, millionaires, punters, designers and just a smattering of wannabes.

That’s why this whole carnival thing is so much fun: it really is for everyone.

Melissa’s Hoyer’s Best Dressed Derby day celebrities

Nicole Kidman
Erica Packer
Kate Waterhouse
Lara Bingle
Sarah Murdoch
Cheyenne Tozzi
Danielle Spencer
Emily Symons
Kyle Clarke
Jennifer Hawkins
Sarah Jane Clarke
Pip Edwards
Rebecca Judd
Sophie Monk