Who is the mystery hot blonde dressed as a cowgirl at the races? Bombshell turns heads in Beyonce-inspired Western look during Derby Day

Who is the mystery hot blonde dressed as a cowgirl at the races? Bombshell turns heads in Beyonce-inspired Western look during Derby Day

As a longtime fashion enthusiast with an eye for unique trends and a heart for the cowboy aesthetic, I can’t help but be utterly captivated by Emily Gurr’s Derby Day ensemble! Her chic take on the cowgirl trend was a breath of fresh air amidst the glitz and glamour at Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival.


The opening days of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival sparkled with elegance and opulence, attracting a multitude of racegoers to Flemington Racecourse. Amidst the crowd, there was much curiosity about a striking blond woman.

As an overly enthusiastic racegoer, I couldn’t help but be captivated by one stylish spectator who effortlessly blended the thrilling world of horse racing with the viral fashion trends of TikTok and the runway. She truly made the black-and-white Derby Day theme her own!

As a devoted fashion enthusiast, I stepped out for Derby Day with a modern twist on the classic cowgirl style, leaving several well-known attendees’ high-end ensembles trailing behind.

Since March, the cowboy and cowgirl style has remained popular, particularly following Taylor Swift’s launch of her extensive Eras Tour.

Despite the fact that the Western style wardrobe has always persisted, albeit subtly, the ‘Swift Lift’ movement brought about a significant shift, causing the simple cowboy boots and hats to gain widespread popularity in an unprecedented manner.

But it’s a trend easier said than done. 

When it comes to a variety of styling choices for hats, boots, and collared shirts, it can sometimes be tricky to strike the right balance between appearing fashionable and deliberate, rather than as if you’re rushing off to a costume party on Halloween.

As a die-hard enthusiast, I can’t help but delve into the captivating world of Emily, the trailblazing figure in the realm of motorsports. The question that lingers on every fan’s lips is: Who is this enigmatic woman who dared to challenge racing’s rigid fashion norms while still maintaining respect for the rules? Let me share her story with you.

Who is the mystery hot blonde dressed as a cowgirl at the races? Bombshell turns heads in Beyonce-inspired Western look during Derby Day

Emily Gurr is a model and creative director with a pretty substantial social media following. 

On Saturday, she donned a sleek black Armani suit, teaming it with stylish knee-high Jimmy Choo boots that resemble riding boots, accessorized with a striking black and gold bolo tie, and completed the look with a chic black leather Miu Miu handbag.

The pièce de résistance, though, was a bespoke cowgirl hat by Australian milliner Nerida Winter.

The respected race wear designer created half a dozen head pieces for the Derby Day event, but pridefully posted three photographs of her work with Emily to the grid. 

In another post, Winter wrote: ‘The instance when two legendary women cross paths,’ further stating: ‘I’m smitten by Emily Gurr, exuding a harmonious mix of strong and delicate vibes.’

For the special event, Emily chose to let down her golden hair and applied a generous layer of stylish makeup on her face. She left her suit shirt’s lower buttons undone to showcase her toned midriff.

Who is the mystery hot blonde dressed as a cowgirl at the races? Bombshell turns heads in Beyonce-inspired Western look during Derby Day

In her conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, the former model-now-entrepreneur shared that running the Beverly Rooftop bar in Melbourne has been an incredibly enjoyable experience.

‘It’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears but it has pushed me out of my comfort zone.’ 

The Sydney-born model has accrued 108,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares her often ’70s inspired-yet-modernised ensembles. 

She lives between the Harbour City and Australia’s cultural capital, where she currently helms the Californian-themed cocktail bar with views of Melbourne’s skyline. 

Who is the mystery hot blonde dressed as a cowgirl at the races? Bombshell turns heads in Beyonce-inspired Western look during Derby Day
Who is the mystery hot blonde dressed as a cowgirl at the races? Bombshell turns heads in Beyonce-inspired Western look during Derby Day

The reason behind the black-and-white tradition on Derby Day is debated, yet it stands as one of the most stringent dress code rules throughout the entire racing season.

One widely accepted notion is that an event significant in history occurred on the other side of the ocean around 225 years back in 1787: a horse owned by the Earl of Derby triumphed in a race with black-and-white colors adorning its body.

Others argue that the theme can be traced back to 1910, following the demise of King Edward. In keeping with the Edwardian style, spectators replaced their finest attire with mourning black.

There’s a chance that an ad published in Australian Women’s Weekly back in 1960 could have initiated the style of dresses with specific tones.

As an ardent enthusiast, I had the extraordinary opportunity to partner with the esteemed whiskey maker, James Buchanan and Co, in honor of their iconic Black & White whiskey. The Melbourne Cup spectators were given a thrilling chance to win a staggering £200 wardrobe prize, which is equivalent to an astounding $7000 in today’s currency, for the individual boasting the most stylish attire on the field.

There was a catch however, attendees must dress in black and white.

Modernising or bending the traditional race day attire rules is a fraught process. 

You might win the award for best fashion and have the right to boast about it, or on the other hand, you could be turned away because your attire is considered inappropriate.

Simply follow the lead of iconic British model Jean Shrimpton, who made waves by donning a daringly short (compared to 1960 norms) mini dress from DuPont on Derby Day.

Her hemline sat 13cm above the knee, shockingly without stockings, gloves, and hat. 

In retrospect, my actions were considered shocking back then, yet I couldn’t comprehend what others found objectionable about my appearance.

‘I feel Melbourne isn’t ready for me yet,’ she added. ‘It seems years behind London.’

This year, there’s been a 15% increase in Depop users looking specifically for ‘western-style’ items.

That’s cowboy and cowgirl boots, wide-brimmed hats, fringe, and lots and lots of leather. 

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2024-11-04 08:34

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