A racegoer at one of the premier events of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival has made a bold statement with her dress by drawing attention to the plight of Palestinian civilians.
Angelica Mesisca Barrientos’s outfit caught the attention of the crowd at Flemington Racecourse for Derby Day on Saturday not only for its stunning design.
‘This dress is absolutely a talking point but I’ve had nothing but positive feedback,’ the 28-year-old owner of Sculpt Clinic in Adelaide told .
Ms Barrientos, a mother-of-two, said Israel’s retaliation against Palestine following terror attacks last month by extremist group Hamas was causing innocent people to become collateral damage.
‘It is absolutely unacceptable, inhumane and needs to be spoken about,’ she said.
‘It pains me every time I open my social media accounts to see innocent children have bombs dropped on them, it is literally a genocide.’
Angelica Mesisca Barrientos, 28, from Adelaide stunned crowds at Flemington on Saturday not only with her dress’s design but its political message
Ms Barriento, who runs Sculpt Clinic, said she felt she had to say something as so many people were suffering in Gaza
Derby Day brought out tens of thousands of visitors on Saturday in one of the biggest race meetings on the n scene
Derby Day is held on the Saturday ahead of Melbourne Cup Day and usually attracts the second or third biggest crowds of the carnival with tens of thousands of attendees dressing up in their finest suits and frocks.
Ms Barrientos’s dress was made by South n designer Cadell Canutto.
‘I was nervous in preparation to wear it, not knowing how people would respond but wanted something super graphic that said ‘Free Palestine’ and gets the message across.’
She added that crowds at the event had been supportive despite the politically charged message.
‘My biggest fear was someone would spit on me, but that’s not been the case,’ she said.
‘What’s the point of fashion if not to make a statement?’
Others celebrities to have made a splash at the event include Nadia Bartel who arrived in a long strapless white dress which featured a high slit.
Nikki Phillips also dressed to impress in a black and white printed dress and black hat as she posed inside the Penfolds marquee.
AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith, 22, courted attention by attending with his stunning girlfriend Gemma Dawkins.
AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith, 22, courted attention by attending with his stunning girlfriend Gemma Dawkins
Georgia Love and her husband Lee Elliott embraced one another as they arrived to the Schweppes marquee
The young couple have been dating for a while, but Derby Day is the first major event they’ve attended together publicly.
They looked completely smitten and stylish, with Bailey rocking a casual grey suit while Gemma was in a black gown with bare shoulders and a pair of dark sunglasses.
Derby Day ambassador Demi Brereton, who is the girlfriend of AFL star Jy Simpkin, lapped up the spotlight as she posed up a storm in The Birdcage.
She adjusted her oversized hat and pouted for the cameras before cosying up to Jy.
Olivia Molly Rogers also made a style statement in mid black dress, which featured a corset bodice.
She completed her look with a pair of black shoes and carried a sparkly clutch.
Derby Day ambassador Demi Brereton, who is the girlfriend of AFL star Jy Simpkin, lapped up the spotlight as she posed up a storm in the birdcage