Colour — Archives — On Track On Trend

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

Recently I entered a competition run by Westfield Doncaster in conjunction with illustrator Megan Hess. Westfield Doncaster was hosting a book signing and a pop-up sketch house. If you're not familiar with the name Megan Hess, no doubt you would have seen her work. She is the artist behind the Sex and the City book covers and has worked with many high end fashion brands including Tiffany & Co, Dior, Chanel and Montblanc to name a few. She also recently released a book called Fashion House, which through her illustrations mixes interiors, style icons and of course fashion. I ran out and bought the book when it was released as I really enjoy her work.

Back to the competition, to enter I had to submit a photo online of myself dressed in an outfit I would like to be sketched in. From the entries received forty five finalists were invited into Westfield Doncaster to be sketched live by fashion students. Then from the forty five finalists one lucky winner would be chosen to be sketched by Megan Hess and take home a Westfield voucher. I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the forty five finalists to be sketched. The outfit I chose to wear was one of my racing outfits I made that I wore to Warrnambool in May this year. My artist was Alexis who told me she was studying at RMIT. I was shocked when as we were chatting she said she was only in her first year! I studied fashion for three years, but drawing was never my strength so I'm always very impressed when I meet people that can draw and paint. I had to stand in the Sketch House in my outfit as customers walked past for about an hour as Alexis worked on my illustration.

After a weeks wait I found out I didn't win the sketch with Megan Hess, but I was thrilled to be a part of the competition and felt like a winner anyway with my sketch from Alexis. I have never seen a competition like this as it was quite innovative and I hope that Westfield Doncaster continues to come up with such great promotions.

For more information on Megan Hess and Westfield DoncasterBy Angela Menz