Everyone Wore This Headpiece to Stakes Day

by Amanda Bardas

We'll always love the drama of a wide-brim straw hat at the races (Georgia Fowler pulled it off like a pro over the weekend), but it was clear there was one stand-out trend at Stakes Day on October 8 at Sydney's, Randwick Racecourse—the crown.

Milliner Viktoria Novak is celebrating 10 years this year, and can be credited with reviving and updating the humble headband. The accessory designer has turned it around from simple to showstopping, elegant, and unique (with vibes similar to a crown). In 2015, Novak became the first Australian milliner to showcase her own solo runway show at New York Fashion Week, and has since become a go-to for women looking to stand out with one of her special crowns on race day.

At Stakes Day over the weekend, Terry Biviano, and Anna Heinrich, both wore a Viktoria Novak headpiece, and Natalie Roser, Erin Holland, Yan Yan Chan, Monika Radulovic, and Abby Delmi, all wore the crown style.

Our highlight from the day? When Erin Holland, Moet & Chandon Stakes Day ambassador, stunned the crowd as she entered the room singing Jube by Klingande, and proceeded to pour bottle after bottle of Moet & Chandon onto a champagne tower—quite the moment!

Click through to see each look and shop a crown for yourself for next race day.