Ballarat Cup Fashion Wrap
Last Sunday I attended the Ballarat Cup, getting one last spring carnival fashion fix in before the season was over. It certainly didn't feel like spring though, with temperatures dipping into territory that would be acceptable in the middle of winter and smatterings of rain throughout the afternoon. Thankfully though the dicey weather didn't deter patrons from heading to the Ballarat Cup and putting on their best outfits for Myer Fashions on the Field.The competition was held at the back of the course, well and truly behind the grandstand and a little removed from the horses. It was clear that those gathered were there for one purpose only- to be watch or be involved in the fashions on the field competition. As the ladies and gents signed up at registration desk collecting numbers, it wasn't too long before the action began with the heats. During the heats numbers were read out and contestants quickly learned their fate and if they were to line up again for the finals. First up was the millinery award, with many ladies having made their own millinery for the day. Next to take their turn on the stage was the men, which I was told had less numbers than previous years. Never mind, the standard of the entrants was quite good with obvious effort and thought put into each outfit.
Then it was over to the locals with the local lady of the day category. There was a large number of local ladies entered which was great to see. Last up on stage was the lady of the day heats, the most hotly contested category with the largest number of entrants. During the heats contestants quickly learnt their fate as the finalists were announced as contestants were on stage. After a short break for the races and a bit of rain from the sky the five judges (including Alex Hecker Country Racing Ambassador, Myer Ambassador Lauren Phillips and Alicia Thomas from The Courier) sat at their table and the finals began.
The winner of the Myer Millinery Award was Elis Crewes, a regular fashions on the field competitor who always surprises me with her fresh, fashionable and interesting outfits. She was wearing a stunning piece of millinery by Mandy Murphy. The runner up was Brodie Worrell. Chic and on trend in black and white accessories paired with a green dress she was wearing Felicity Northeast Millinery.
The winner of the Myer Man of the Day was Hunter Pool. He took a youthful and on trend approach to his racing look and wore a blazer and pant combination. He confessed to wearing an old school tie to take out his win. Runner up was Ben Carbonaro a regular at the races and FOTF enthusiast. He had a pop of spring in his outfit with a pale green tie and classic look with attention to detail.
The winner of the Myer Local Lady of the Day was Louise McCartin in an ensemble she purchased in Ballarat with self made millinery. Runner up went to Robyn Titheridge in stunning cobalt blue.
The final fashions sashes of the day went to Myer Lady of the Day Brodie Worrell. She was double sashed with a first and second for the day! Runner up went to the lovely Rikki-Lee Hull in a modern Cue dress and Sass and Bide cape with leather Jill and Jack Millinery.
Congratulations to all the winners and competitors. There were a number of great outfits that could have easily won or placed in the competition. Overall the standard was high, and given the weather many women (and men) had adapted their outfits successfully to suit the conditions. I wore a cream silk dress I had previously worn to Magic Millions a few years ago with my trusty off white raincoat trench.Attempting to keep me warm was a vintage fur cape. My millinery was a late change to diamante studded flowers to suit the weather- my original selection wouldn't have coped with getting wet. Although I had been warned by my dad to rug up, I still froze as my hotdog and jam doughnuts failed to warm me up and I couldn't hang on until the last races. My legs throughout the afternoon had turned a peculiar shade of purple and I couldn't feel my fingers. I still had a great day out at the Ballarat Cup and being such an easy drive from Melbourne I hope to go again next year.
Then it was over to the locals with the local lady of the day category. There was a large number of local ladies entered which was great to see. Last up on stage was the lady of the day heats, the most hotly contested category with the largest number of entrants. During the heats contestants quickly learnt their fate as the finalists were announced as contestants were on stage. After a short break for the races and a bit of rain from the sky the five judges (including Alex Hecker Country Racing Ambassador, Myer Ambassador Lauren Phillips and Alicia Thomas from The Courier) sat at their table and the finals began. The winner of the Myer Millinery Award was Elis Crewes, a regular fashions on the field competitor who always surprises me with her fresh, fashionable and interesting outfits. She was wearing a stunning piece of millinery by Mandy Murphy. The runner up was Brodie Worrell. Chic and on trend in black and white accessories paired with a green dress she was wearing Felicity Northeast Millinery.The winner of the Myer Man of the Day was Hunter Pool. He took a youthful and on trend approach to his racing look and wore a blazer and pant combination. He confessed to wearing an old school tie to take out his win. Runner up was Ben Carbonaro a regular at the races and FOTF enthusiast. He had a pop of spring in his outfit with a pale green tie and classic look with attention to detail.The winner of the Myer Local Lady of the Day was Louise McCartin in an ensemble she purchased in Ballarat with self made millinery. Runner up went to Robyn Titheridge in stunning cobalt blue.The final fashions sashes of the day went to Myer Lady of the Day Brodie Worrell. She was double sashed with a first and second for the day! Runner up went to the lovely Rikki-Lee Hull in a modern Cue dress and Sass and Bide cape with leather Jill and Jack Millinery.Congratulations to all the winners and competitors. There were a number of great outfits that could have easily won or placed in the competition. Overall the standard was high, and given the weather many women (and men) had adapted their outfits successfully to suit the conditions. I wore a cream silk dress I had previously worn to Magic Millions a few years ago with my trusty off white raincoat trench.Attempting to keep me warm was a vintage fur cape. My millinery was a late change to diamante studded flowers to suit the weather- my original selection wouldn't have coped with getting wet. Although I had been warned by my dad to rug up, I still froze as my hotdog and jam doughnuts failed to warm me up and I couldn't hang on until the last races. My legs throughout the afternoon had turned a peculiar shade of purple and I couldn't feel my fingers. I still had a great day out at the Ballarat Cup and being such an easy drive from Melbourne I hope to go again next year.
By Angela Menz
