Clipsal 500 Race Cage

Finally, the Clipsal 500 has an offering designed specifically for me. Well, I'm fairly sure it wasn't designed for me, but either way, I'm pretty happy about it. The Race Cage. Think Melbourne Cup birdcage but at the Clipsal, and with a view of the sport (as opposed to the birdcage when you'd be lucky to see a horse all day).

I've been to the Clipsal 500 a few times, and all but one of those times I was in a corporate hospitality box. The one time I went general admission I lasted all of an hour and then I left. Couldn't see a thing and hadn't gotten there early enough to camp out and secure a spot (I'm not a die hard fan, what can I say).

Your general corporate box is great, but fairly corporate. Usually a slightly older crew of attendees, definitely a boys club, and although it's a great day out, it's not exactly a glam affair.

I've also tried doing the ladies luncheon thing, and again, although it's a great day out, it's still not quite my scene. A tad old perhaps? And a distinct lack of motorsport. Although I'm not a big motorsport fan, I do believe that if you're going to the event, you should at least make the most of it for the day or days that you're there.

Enter the Race Cage.

This promises to be all my Christmases come at once.

The Race Cage is to be located in a brand new marquee - the only one of its kind - and the largest two story marquee in the Southern Hemisphere. The glass frontage promises a great view of the face track hairpin it's located on, and there is balcony for sipping bubbles on when you want to get amongst it. Oh, and it's fully air conditioned, so if we're cursed with 40 degree heat like we've suffered through in previous years, we'll be covered.

There will be a DJ all day, premium food & beverages and decent coffee.

The drivers and brolly dollys will be visiting the Race Cage over the 4 days of the event, and they throw in a program for good measure. I'm hoping I can use a Clipsal 500 app instead of the paper program, but it's good to know my bases are covered.

I've heard some rumours about some of the people who will be coming to the Cage (which I can't reveal just yet) but it's sure to be a pretty young, fun crowd. For the price tag, it should bring a mix of corporates looking for a more sexy Clipsal experience, Adelaide faces, the rich and those willing to save up for a great experience. I'm not sure where I fit in, but I defintely think that this is the way I was meant to be experiencing Clipsal 500.

Now the big question... what to wear? 

No doubt I'll be tweeting over the event, so if you're not there partying with me, just follow me on Twitter to check out all the action. @kellynoble.

Mad March has officially begun

Verity from Adelaide Casino, Liza Emanuele & I

Today marks the end of my free time for the next month. I love Valentine's Day (now that I officially have a Valentine to share it with) but it signaled the last personal night I'll have for a while, with official duties taking up my evenings from here on in.

Tonight is the Waugh in the West All Star Cricket Match at the new St Clair oval. Steve Waugh is my dad's second cousin or something like that, so it's my family duty to go along. We're also covering it for Glam so it's a good afternoon of work/play.

Tomorrow is the Scanlan&Theodore launch followed by the Garden of Unearthly Delights opening, and then BAM, the Fringe has begun.

Friday is the announcement of the Face Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup, which I judged with Liza Emanuele & Verity from the Adelaide Casino today (see pic), and then the Fringe event opening nights start on Saturday.

I'm tired just thinking about it.

That being said, I love it. It's brilliant being part of Adelaide at its most vibrant.

The Face of the Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup

Another judging gig is upon me. This time it's to help decide on the Face of Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup.

I've always been a fan of the races so it's great to be involved. Perhaps I've seen My Fair Lady one too many times, but there is nothing like dressing up and going to the track. In the past I've spent months in the lead up to each major race day (Adelaide Cup, Melbourne Cup, Oakbank, Irish Race Day etc) planning my outfit down to the smallest detail, deciding on which marquee to attend, who to go along with, and how I'll be spending my day. And I always have a brilliant time.

This year, the Adelaide Casino have taken things to another level, with a new position being created - the highly anticipated inaugural Face of Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup (gosh that's a mouthful).

David Christian (MD of Adelaide Casino), Liza Emanuele (fashion designer) and myself will be sitting down tomorrow to go through the potential 'Face' video entries and will spend 2-3 hours deciding on who is the best candidate for the esteemed role. Where was this ten years ago when I would have been the perfect candidate? Oh well, at least I'm part of the process.

Whoever is chosen after tomorrow's judging panel will transform into the glamorous go-to-girl for up-to-the-minute accounts of what’s happening and who’s hot around Adelaide, as well as trackside at Adelaide’s premier race day.

The actual announcement of the winner will happen this Friday (17 Feb) when the Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup trophy arrives via horse back at Adelaide Casino.








Then, once my role as judge has come to an end, I can focus on the important things ahead of me. Like deciding what to wear to this year's Cup.

Fashion Parade Fashion Etiquette

Tonight I'm heading to the Carnevale Italian Festival Fashion Parade as one of their guests. This always fills me with dread and excitement, as I love a good fashion parade, but I hate knowing I'll be judged on what I wear. Luckily for me, I've built up quite a wardrobe over the years, so it's probably easier for me than some, but still, it is something I approach with caution.

Should you ever wear designs which may appear on the catwalk? I often see this happen at parades, and I always get caught when I'm MCing a parade and I'm dressed by the designer. Although I love wearing the latest fashion garment from the designer being featured, there is nothing worse than seeing the same dress on a size 8 catwalk model half my age.  I always make sure I accessorise creatively to make the outfit look as different as possible. I'm not sure what the etiquette is for wearing say, a Liza Emanuele dress to a Liza Emanuele parade, but if you can get past the models wearing the same clothes, there is often someone else in the audience wearing the same thing. Wearer beware. I guess it's kind of like wearing a band t-shirt to their gig.

Then there are the people who try to look as cutting edge and fashion forward as possible. In a small city like Adelaide, these people tend to stick out, and more often than not, they are silently approved of by the crowd. Although we wouldn't wear what they've been brave enough to don, we respect them for being different. That being said, there are always a few failures, and it takes all my will power not to start a 'what not to wear' column on Glam Adelaide.

Finally, there seems to be the black crowd. Those who wear black, hope to blend in but still look somewhat fashionable at the same time. Black is safe. Black hides a multitude of sins. Black is my friend.

I did say at the start of today's blog though, that I'm going to an Italian Festival. Here's hoping I see some flamboyant European outfits both on and off the catwalk!

Photo: couture + love + madness
The Spirit of the Black Dress
Photographer: Simon Cecere
Model: Rebecca from Fox
Hair: Ashley McCormack
MUA: Ana Mikulić