Myer's prestigious Fashions on the Field moves to Adelaide on Monday, when the well-heeled and hatted will vie for the coveted winner's sash and their ticket to representing SA in the national final on Oaks Day at Flemington.OTOT are excited to announce that not only will we be covering the event live on our Instagram account, but both Angela and I have been tasked with making the hard decisions on the judges' panel!Last year's winner Jennifer Marsh (pictured below, centre) will also be joining us as a judge, and obviously knows what it takes to clinch the title. The Naracoorte native donned a silver grey and bold orange ensemble to win, buying the dress for just $18 and making the hat herself - proving a winning outfit can be made without maxing out one's credit card.
Although Angela and I have rather different racewear styles, when it comes to judging I think we can agree on a few points. Firstly, we love an outfit that stands out and grabs our attention. This isn't to say it has to be crazy/bright/printed/something Lady Gaga might wear, but it has to have that element of uniqueness that separates it from the rest of the pack. A great example of this is Ashleigh Albanese's winning outfit from Derby Day 2013 - the surprise of the soft white leather; the elegant off-the-shoulder neckline; the oh-so-chic graduated hemline... all features which turned a simple dress into a stunning one.
Secondly, put your personal stamp on your outfit. Copying a look you've seen in a magazine or a shop window or on someone else is kind of like cheating, but it also lacks personality and personal flair. We want to see you in your outfit. After all, I'd look weird in Angela's outfits, and I'm sure she wouldn't look right in mine either!
Now, this is where it gets tricky... lastly, and perhaps most importantly, dress with the Spring Carnival in mind. I realise it's technically autumn, and we've all had autumn racewear rules drilled into us (felt hats, no straw, closed-toe shoes preferred), but our official judging criteria says "appropriateness of the outfit for the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the individual". So dress like it's a spring race meeting, because we won't mark you down for wearing straw hats, but the judges in Melbourne might for wearing felt.Now you have our tips and suggestions, here are the basic details on how to enter. We can't wait to see what Adelaide has in store for us... good luck!Where: Morphettville Racecourse, Morphett Road, Morphettville, South Australia.When: Monday, March 10. Registrations from 11am-1pm, heats commence 1:05pm, preliminary finals at 1:30pm, and the state final at 1:50pm.Prizes: A 10-dat trip of a lifetime to the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival and direct entry to the national Myer Fashions on the Field final, $1,000 to spend at Myer and an Antler luggage pack valued at $700.Further info: Visit the SAJC website.Photo credits: Adelaide Now, Zimbio.By Lisa Tan
Congratulations to Crystal Kimber, who has won the Myer Fashions on the Field state final for Queensland at the Gold Coast Turf Club. Although a Melburnian, Crystal will now represent Queensland in the national Myer Fashions on the Field competition at Flemington Racecourse during the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.In a very high-class field, Crystal caught the attention of judges including designer Wayne Cooper and Myer ambassador Laura Dundovic in a feminine but modern orange and white ensemble that she made with the help of her mother. Centred around an old orange Zara dress, Crystal made a pencil skirt in geometric print furnishing fabric with a voluminous wired peplum, and added a silver-white textured yoke over her neckline, embellished with a Lovissa mirrored necklace. A looping silk abaca headpiece created by Locopa Designs, matching orange gloves, a clutch purse and court shoes provided the finishing touches to a well-styled outfit.
Crystal now joins Tasmanian representative Alex Hecker (who is also from Victoria) and South Australian winner Jennifer Marsh (who coincidentally relegated Crystal into second place in the SA event) in the Myer Fashions on the Field National Final.
The New South Wales and Western Australian finals have yet to be held, with the WA final set for Ascot Racecourse's Opening Day on October 19 and the NSW event yet to be confirmed. Victoria will stage three daily finals during the Melbourne Cup Carnival on Derby, Melbourne Cup and Oaks Days, with the winners from each final to face off against each other in the state final on Oaks Day. There will be also be an Online People's Choice Award category which will be conducted in the coming months.For further information, visit the VRC Fashion & Style website.Photo credits: the Victoria Racing Club and the Gold Coast Turf Club.By Lisa Tan