Duckie Thot flies in from NY for Melbourne Cup

Supermodel Duckie Thot will return home to lead G. H Mumm's Melbourne Cup Carnival celebrations for 2022.

Thot will arrive from New York as a special guest of G.H. Mumm, leading the iconic champagne bottle opening, tap-tap moment on Derby Day, a grand gesture previously performed by beauties Montana Cox (2021), Georgia Fowler (2020), and Rosie Tupper (2019).

She will also appear at G.H. Mumm’s Birdcage marquee for the official Carnival media preview in a custom dress by renowned Australian designer Michael Lo Sordo in the brand’s recognisable red hue.

“I have always celebrated special moments with a glass of Mumm, so I was thrilled when they invited me to come back to my hometown and lead their trackside celebrations for the first time in two years,” Thot said.

“Joining forces with such a talented group of creative Australians who chase success but by their own rules is also an honour, so I cannot wait to help bring the luxurious Mumm experience to life in the marquee.”

Born to South Sudanese refugees and raised in Melbourne, Thot’s rise to stardom is simpatico with Mumm’s Mark Your Own Journey campaign. Thot has been vocal about race inclusion in the fashion industry after being cast as Alice in Wonderland for the all-black retelling of the classic story for Pirelli’s 2018 calendar.

She is a favourite amongst style spectators as the global face of L’Oréal Paris and having walked for Yeezy, Moschino, Fenty X Puma, Balmain, Oscar De La Renta and Victoria’s Secret. She was named a Sports Illustrated swimsuit rookie in January, using the opportunity to continue being a vocal advocate for diversity.

Thot joins the Mumm Collective, a group of Australia’s passionate innovators across fashion, design, entrepreneurship, artistry and culinary who share the brand’s bold pioneering spirit.

Alongside Lo Sordo and Australian chef Joel Bickford, Thot will help bring Mumm’s Birdcage marquee to life and take guests on sensory journey of sumptuous recreation and joie de vivre.​

A trackside experience two years in the making, the double-storey Le Jardin de la Maison Mumm will transport more than 900 guests across the Carnival to the conviviality of the ‘Pleasure Garden’ era with a modern interpretation.

As the official champagne of the Melbourne Cup Carnival for the past 13 years, G.H. Mumm are thrilled to be back trackside with the Victoria Racing Club to celebrate this milestone moment.