Julie Bishop suffered a rare fashion misstep at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday after stepping out in an overwhelming head-to-toe floral ensemble.
The former Australian politician, who has long earned the unofficial title of the nation's "Minister for Fashion", typically favours understated and elegant gowns for major public outings. Her look at Flemington departed sharply from that signature style with an all-over patterned design.
Her outfit featured a short-sleeved, full-length, voluminous button-up dress covered in flowers, paired with a matching floral Lady Dior handbag valued at $12,000. She completed the look with a classic straw boater hat.
As usual, Bishop complemented her ensemble with dazzling diamond jewellery, wearing sparkling diamond drop earrings alongside two diamond-encrusted rings.
She attended the race day as an invited guest in the Lexus marquee inside The Birdcage, the exclusive VIP enclosure at Flemington. Bishop posed for photographs solo inside the pavilion, without her partner Stephen Gray.
Lexus marquee appearance
Bishop served in the Australian Parliament for two decades, including five years as the federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and deputy leader of the Liberal Party. During and after her political career, she established a reputation as one of the country's most closely watched style figures on the spring racing circuit.
The Melbourne Cup, held annually at Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November, stands as Australia's most famous horse race. Its Birdcage enclosure is known for high-stakes corporate marquees where sporting champions, international guests, and political figures mingle in elaborate spring racing fashion.
Relationship with Stephen Gray
Bishop and Gray have been going strong for over a year following a romance that began after her headline-making split from former partner David Panton. The couple appear to have been an item for around three years, following Bishop's decision to "soft-launch" him on her social media accounts in July 2023.
Little is known publicly about Gray, who maintains a private Instagram profile with only 60 followers. Last year, the couple travelled together to South Australia for what Bishop described as a "fabulous Outback adventure", sharing a video montage of photographs and holiday clips on her Instagram page that tagged her partner.
The romance with Gray emerged one year after Panton allegedly dumped Bishop over dinner in Sydney in July 2022, ending their eight-year relationship.
Former romance with David Panton
Bishop and Panton first stepped out together publicly in 2014. During their high-profile partnership, Bishop brought the Sydney property developer into the global spotlight, taking him to the United Nations to meet world leaders, to Buckingham Palace to mingle with British royalty, and to the White House where he met Donald Trump.
The former couple were also fixtures on the Australian social circuit, attending countless celebrity gatherings together over the years, including the 2018 wedding of television host Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough. While Bishop made Tuesday's appearance at Flemington on her own, her bold sartorial choice ensured she remained at the centre of attention.
