SUBIACO’S The Glitter Co owner Christine Walton has seen Melbourne Cup trends – from jewellery to headpieces – change over the past 32 years.
Christine and her husband Stuart opened their first store in Perth in 1986 and launched their Subiaco store in 1991.
The Mahogany Creek couple attract business for school balls, weddings and spring racing events.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWMr Walton designs and creates bespoke jewellery using Swarovski crystals, ranging from earrings to necklaces.
The pair also sells cubic zirconia and pearl jewellery and a large range of bridal hair combs and fascinators, as well as jewellery for luxury evening wear.
Mrs Walton said throughout her years in business she had seen a change in Melbourne Cup wear, with more people choosing millinery wear and headbands over fascinators.
“Headpieces have changed and it’s not the same look anymore, where the fascinator matches the dress,” she said.
“We don’t sell as many fascinators anymore, rather unusual crystal hairpieces, as more people have their own style now and they don’t want to be like anyone else.”
“There is so much available in dresses and different outfits that it’s much more exciting now.”
Mrs Walton said this Melbourne Cup season, eventgoers were opting for dresses with embellishments or designs with macro or solid colours.
“Some people are quite extravagant when it comes to jewellery, but generally the colour of the earring is a colour picked out from a colour in the dress,” she said.
“Eventgoers are also wearing headbands with flowers, headbands in general and colourful headpieces too.
“Often they ditch the necklace and take the earrings up a notch to make the statement.”