Grace Hayden Channels Marilyn Monroe in Plunging Gown

Grace Hayden, the Australian sports presenter and style influencer known for her glamorous looks, channelled Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe this week in a plunging gown at the Sydney Everest Carnival Styling Suite.

The Everest is Australia's richest horse race, run each spring at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, and the styling suite forms part of the fashion build-up to the carnival. Monroe, the actress remembered for films including Some Like It Hot and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, remains a reference point for designers for her figure-hugging gowns and old-Hollywood glamour.

Hayden turned heads at the event, hosted by The Langham, in a custom sparkling creation by Oglia-Loro Couture. The shimmering dress and low neckline gave her look a distinctly old-Hollywood feel, and she completed the ensemble with pops of pink, pairing the gown with pink shoes and a matching headband.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia as she got ready, Hayden said she loves "living on the edge" when it comes to racewear.

"It's something that you can really create your own sort of special outfit that you couldn't wear anywhere else," she said. "There's no limitations."

Racewear rules for showing skin

Despite her love of daring looks, Hayden said she does stick to a few rules when it comes to showing skin trackside.

"If you're going to show off your top half, you should wear something with length. If you're showing your bottom half, you should be a little more covered up," she explained.

"I do like that you can be a little bit more conservative with race day looks, and stick to the traditional themes, because where can you really do that in everyday life?"

Footwear and a secret trick

When it comes to footwear, Hayden admitted she is a devotee of the pointed-toe heel.

"There's something about it that makes your legs look really long, so you'll always see me in a point toe shoe whenever I can," she said.

But after committing to a pair of heels for the day, Hayden has one secret trick to ensure she can still make it through the event in comfort: packing a pair of compact ballet flats. The flats can be tucked into a handbag and slipped on later in the day when the heels become too much, particularly if she is planning to hit the dance floor.

Hair, makeup and skincare secrets

Hayden also discussed her race day hair and makeup preferences, revealing she loves to experiment with boundary-pushing looks.

"You can really be yourself and express maybe something you wouldn't do when you're just doing your everyday," she said.

She also shared the beauty regimen she credits for maintaining her complexion, citing Australian skincare brand Rationale's three-step routine as part of her regular regimen. Before a big event, she turns to a secret weapon: an overnight mask.

"I am so obsessed with that mask, it's ridiculous," she said. "I have the pink and the yellow [masks]. So I'll just sleep in that the night before I have something that I'm [doing] the next day and my skin is glowing."

Hayden also regularly books Rationale facials and occasionally undergoes skin needling. While complimentary beauty treatments are common among celebrities and influencers, she was quick to stress that she pays for her own facials.

"I pay for all of my facials. I really love the experience, it's such a genuine thing," she said.

For Hayden, one of the biggest benefits of sticking with the same skincare system is having a professional who understands exactly what her skin needs and can adjust her routine accordingly.

"You just do a consult with a Rationale professional and you stick with them the whole time," she said. "She knows your skin and she goes, 'Okay, you're maybe a little drier than you normally are at the moment because you've been travelling a lot,' so she'll be like, 'Okay, take this and this and this and switch this up.'"

Other guests at the styling suite

Joining Hayden at The Langham suite were Real Housewives of Sydney star Krissy Marsh and model Grayson Te Moana. Real Housewives of Sydney is the Australian instalment of the international reality franchise following the lives of the city's socialites.

Marsh wore a plunging black gown by Oglia-Loro Couture, paired with a fascinator by Embellish Atelier and diamond jewellery.

Te Moana, whose profile has risen thanks in part to his relationship with influencer Tammy Hembrow, wore a black suit by The Tailors Lounge. Hembrow is an Australian influencer and entrepreneur with a large social media following, known for her fitness and fashion content.