Cairns Amateurs 2013 Wrap Part 1

This year I was lucky enough to attend the Cairns Amateurs as the plus one of my friend Craig Braybrook. This was my third Amateurs Carnival and I was stoked to get the chance to escape Melbourne for a long weekend in sunny Far North Queensland. I arrived in Cairns late Wednesday night and had three very busy and fun days before heading home on Sunday.Thursday was the start of the Carnival with the Annual Ladies High Tea held at Cannon Park. This was great to get a glimpse of some early spring racewear. The women of Cairns know how to wear colour and as a great lover of bright happy colour I loved seeing everyone's outfits. The Ladies High Tea also showcases local boutiques and emerging designers in a series of fashion parades that ran throughout the morning. Craig had brought some of his couture gowns to display and milliner and Fashions on the Field judge Rebecca Share from Geelong had also brought some of her work to parade on stage. There was a mini "Fashions on the Field" with each table selecting a representative to go up onstage for the chance to win a table for the following year. The judges Craig and Rebecca didn't have an easy decision. There was also a charity raffle and lucky door prizes making for a very enjoyable and action packed morning.

I had a great day at the races and the Amateurs carnival continued into the night and the next day. I'll continue my wrap up in part 2 shortly.I also took photos of (I think) every contestant in Fashions on the Field. If I haven't put one up of you, feel free to email me at angela@ontrackontrend.com let me know what you were wearing and I'm happy to have a look and email you any pics I have.By Angela

EVENT: Fashion at the Ebor, York Racecourse, UK

Northern England's most prestigious racing festival will once again play host to some superb fashion action when Fashion at the Ebor begins next week at York Racecourse.On each day of the Ebor Festival, there will be a competition to find the Best Dressed Lady, Gentleman, Child and Best Hat, with prizes awarded to the winners of each category.However, there will be a stronger focus on Thursday's Ladies' Day competition, as the Best Dressed Racegoer receives a trip for two to the Dubai World Cup with accommodation at the Marriott Hotel. The winner of the Best Dressed Lady category on this day will also be invited to represent York in the grand final of Go Racing in Yorkshire's Best Dressed Lady for 2013 on October 26, where she will face-off against best dressed ladies from other Yorkshire regions and, once again, compete for some fantastic prizes.The organisers of the competition want to emphasise that the competition "is about looking your best and enjoying fashion, it is not a search for a supermodel" (OTOT wonders if this in reference to last year's Ladies' Day winner, model Faye Cupitt, who was dressed by a designer and milliner to scoop first prize - a practice which was ruled out of Australian Fashions on the Field competitions years ago). So if you're looking to participate in this fun and fashionable event, here's what you need to know...Where: York Racecourse, York, YO23 1EXWhen: The competition will take place on every day of the York Ebor Festival, August 21-24. Registration opens from 11am each day at the Fashion at the Ebor Marquee, with heats taking place between 12 and 2pm. Final judging for shortlisted contestants will start at 3pm, with the winners being announced at 3:30pm.Prizes: Thursday's Best Dressed Racegoer will be rewarded with a trip for two to the Dubai World Cup with accommodation at the Marriott Hotel. There will be prizes awarded each day to the Best Dressed Lady, Gentleman, Child and Best Hat, with the winning gent to receive a shirt from Beaufort and Blake, and the winning child a £50 voucher for Zak and Flo.For further info: visit the York Racecourse websitePhoto credits: UK Fashion on the Field Facebook pageBy Lisa Tan

Galway's best dressed on Ladies' Day, 2013

While racing continues at Galway Racecourse in Ireland, the Anthony Ryan Best Dressed awards have been judged and the results are in.Congratulations to make-up artist Rachelle Guiry from Limerick, who was named the Best Dressed Lady in her very feminine ensemble comprising a baby blue lace embellished dress with a 50s-style veiled pillbox by Carol Kennelly Millinery.The Best Hat winning design also followed the ladylike theme - though in a much more obvious way. Alex Butler, from Middleton, wore an all-encompassing Ina McCarthy floral bonnet, covered in 100 white silk roses with a single black rose on the top.The winner of the inaugural Wear Irish award, which celebrates Irish design, was milliner Aisling Maher from Castleroy, who wore a baroque-inspired crystal-encrusted neckpiece and a sweeping sinamay hat, with both pieces being created by herself.Congratulations, ladies!Photo credits: Carol Kennelly Facebook page and The Galway Advertiser.By Lisa Tan