Fashion and fun - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Arrive at the Hotel Lindrum, a hotel as classic as the building that houses it, yet as modern as the designs that furnish it.

Hotel Lindrum

Checking in, it's hard to imagine wanting to leave the luxurious lobby in search of fabulous fashion and memorable adventures.

A sense of sophistication is in the air, and the cosy bar and billiard room is just the place to sip champagne while waiting for your rock or film idol to walk through the door. But you're on a quest, and celebrity spotting will have to wait until tomorrow.

The Fashion Triangle discovery tour is a must-do for any discerning fashionista, and is a great way to warm up to Melbourne.

Marais / Royal Arcade

Genki / Cathedral Arcade

With so many twisting and turning lanes and arcades, it's easy to lose yourself as you seek out edgy new labels and beloved favourites. Let Hidden Secrets be your tour guide, leading you on a labyrinthine journey through beautiful boutiques, quirky milliners and unique jewellers.

But don't get too distracted by the eclectic, the elegant, and the one-off pieces on show at Marais, Prime and Genki. You want to be able to find your way back to centuries-old, ultra-hip places like Cathedral Arcade next time.

Return to your hotel, soak weary feet in the tub, and slip into something stylish. Night has descended on Melbourne – the cats are coming out to play, and they're clamouring for a caipiroska.

Bar Lourinhã / Little Collins Street

Verge / Flinders Lane

Lexington / GPO

Celebrate your shopping successes with a glass of wine at Bar Lourinhã. It's tempting to work your way through their tantalising tapas menu, but it's time to move on to Verge, where the gyoza melts in your mouth and the mod-chic, Euro Japanese flavours assault your senses.

Your search for the best place to see the night through ends at Lexington. Grand archways, private enclaves and custom made Swarovski crystal chandeliers complete a picture that has been taking shape all day. A slick image of Melbourne etched forever on your mind.

It's Melbourne Cup Day, and your outfit is complete. Walk downstairs to Hotel Lindrum's restaurant Felt for a heavenly pre-race breakfast.

Brand new frock

Felt restaurant

Your chariot awaits

Linger over breakfast. See and be seen in your new Melbourne designer frock and listen out for tips among the race day buzz.

Your limousine, a sleek chariot with darkened windows, pulls up outside and you feel like a superstar. Slide into the back seat where, with glass of champagne in hand and sun-roof peeled back, you watch Melbourne slip seductively by.

It's all that you imagined, and more. Fabulous frocks, sleek suits, oversized sunglasses, sky-high stilettos. Flemington is on show, and you've just stepped onto the catwalk.

Spring Racing Carnival

The Spring Racing Carnival, Australia's most decadent sporting and social event, welcomes you with open arms. A flutter, a flute of champagne, and a fashion extravaganza are the heady ingredients that make up this unforgettable day.

Hat slightly askew, but dignity intact, direct your driver to St Kilda. On the way, have a vodka tonic, reapply your lippy and take a deep breath. The day is far from over.

Your limousine pulls up outside The Prince, a glamorous reinvention of St Kilda cool, where the beautiful people mingle in a refined, sophisticated setting.

Prince of Wales / St Kilda

The Mink Bar / St Kilda

The carnival has begun, and you're pulled in every direction at once. Get your bearings with the help of a refreshing ale in the Prince Public Bar, perhaps turning to ask a stranger what's on upstairs, or trade race-day stories.

Then, you're faced with a decision. To the Prince Bandroom where it's all about the music; to Circa for a sublime and indulgent post-race meal; or to Mink Bar, where the luxuriant private booths are dripping with crystals and velvet, just begging for you to slide inside and be waited on hand and foot until dawn.

Pick a team, wear the colours and feel the thrill of the on field action.

STYLE STARTS HERE

SPRING RACING CARNIVAL

Want to find it?