Amazing photos: Mumm kicks off Melbourne Cup Carnival

Maison Mumm has celebrated a huge weekend with its Space Odyssey themed Birdcage marquee at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The extravagant concept for this year's marquee was inspired by the recent launch of Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar – the first champagne bottle designed for space travel, making it possible for astronauts and other space travellers to enjoy champagne in the challenging surroundings of zero gravity.

The marquee was officially opened by Mumm ambassador Kate Peck (above), and the Mumm Space Odyssey Orchestra last week. 

Peck was back for Derby Day wearing a remarkable headpiece that hopefully didn't poke out any eyes in the crowded marquee ..

Also in attendance on Derby Day were celebs including Usain Bolt and Hamish Blake.

Blake took the chance to sabre a bottle of bubbles ...

Meanwhile Bolt made the most of the opportunity to socialise ...

The Mumm Space Odyssey Orchestra is performing throughout the carnival. It's made up of a group of classically trained performers, including members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, who perform a mega-mix of space-themed songs including Rocket Man by Kate Bush, Space Oddity by David Bowie and Intergalactic by the Beastie Boys.

There's also a DJ booth perched high in the rocket.

Guests in the Mumm marquee are being served a selection of luxurious space-themed menu items, including breakfast gels, a high-tech creation involving egg, bacon and tomato on obulato cracker, the ‘astronauts’ breakfast’, freeze dried fruit salad and pearls in obulato triangle, and a dessert of titanium white ‘apple’ mousse sitting on Mumm red raspberry ‘spaghetti’ and champagne foam. 

Plus, more than 9500 bottles of champagne are expected to be sipped at Flemington throughout the Carnival.

A crowd of 91,194 enjoyed sunny spring weather to see Extra Brut win at the 2018 AAMI Victoria Derby.

Many famous faces joined the tens of thousands across Flemington’s grandstands, marquees, lawns and car parks, with the popular Birdcage home to a host of celebrities including supermodel Elle Macpherson and racing royalty Kate Waterhouse at Lexus, Australian actress Bella Heathcote at 1 Oliver St, fashion blogger Nadia Fairfax and model Cheyenne Tozzi at Kennedy, model Rebecca Harding and media personality Andy Lee at Seppelt Wines, socialite Francesca Packer Barham and model Kate Peck at Mumm, model Steph Claire Smith at Bumble, and Scott Disick and Sofia Richie at Ultra.

In The Park, Face of Myer Jennifer Hawkins and Myer ambassadors Elyse Knowles, Rachael Finch, Kris Smith and Josh Gibson graced the Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure.the G.H. Mumm Champagne Bar, in the new Club Stand. It’s like stepping into a slice of French luxury and high style.

AAMI Victoria Derby Day saw members and their guests enjoy the VRC’s new $128 million Club Stand in full for the first time. It is home to the world's first Mumm Champagne Bar, which was a popular spot on the day. 

Here's a peek inside prior to the big rush: