Behind the Scenes at the Kentucky Derby Fashion Show

It’s the most comprehensive showcase of our local spring style options and it comes just as Derby shopping reaches a fever pitch. The Macy’s Kentucky Derby Festival fashion show, held on Thursday, March 28, has evolved over the years into a slick, sixty-minute runway production featuring thirty-eight Heyman Talent models (meticulously trained by choreographer Chris Kaufman), surprise performances and a carefully-curated selection of cutting-edge fashion that represents all ages and body types. (FYI: This year’s clothing sponsors included Apricot Lane, AFM Threads, Blu Boutique, Guess Inc, Maurice’s, Darling State of Mind, Work the Metal, Six Sisters, Him Gentleman’s Boutique, Magnolia & Fig and Urban Farmgirls.)

The biggest, best-attended fashion show of the year, presented by Macy’s and produced by TOPS editor-inchief Christine Fellingham, featured two hundred looks, one department store and fourteen local boutiques. Here, a backstage pass.

Just in case you weren’t in the receptive crowd of a thousand fashion lovers who filled the two-story Grand Ballroom at Horseshoe Casino to see this year’s show entitled, “We are Wonder Women,” we take you behind the scenes with photos of a few favorite looks. They were snapped right after dress rehearsal and before application of the ethereal hair and makeup by J. Michael’s Salon & Spa. It’s a glimpse of the calm before the fashion storm and a look at the models in their natural, un-madeup state, letting their inner beauty shine through. We hope it inspires you to dress in a way that plays to your own unique strengths this Derby season and beyond.

There’s a change that happens when you put on a hat. It makes you walk, sit, stand differently

--Shelby Blackerby, Heyman Talent

STRIPED DRESS, $44, AT DARLING STATE OF MIND IN WESTPORT VILLAGE.

This year’s beauty looks were based on sheer makeup with bold uses of color. It’s about self-expression and taking risks

–Jill Higginbotham, owner J Michael’s Salon & Spa with Julia Long, Heyman Talent

MAKE YOUR PICKS

St. John LaPetite Robe Manolo Blahnik Vince. YSL Pedro Garcia Shoshanna Lafayette 148 NY Black Halo Paule Ka Christine Moore Joie Prada Natura Bisse’ Marion Parke

FOR MORE OF THE LOOKS FROM THE KDF SHOW GO TO TOPSLOUISVILLE.COM & PINK ROMPER, $45, AT APRICOT LANE IN WESTPORT VILLAGE.

I want the women watching the show to feel as empowered and uplifted as we do walking in it

–Cheyenne Mecier, Heyman Talent

This show is about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone

–Chloe Halbleib, Heyman Talent

FOR MORE OF THE LOOKS FROM THE KDF SHOW GO TO TOPSLOUISVILLE.COM

PHOTOS BY DANNY ALEXANDER

BY CHRISTINE FELLINGHAM