Tasmanian Myer Fashions on the Field Final 2014

The second state final for Myer's Fashions on the Field was lucky to have a winner. Staged mostly in 35-degree sunshine, the Tasmanian competition crowned its winner just before freakish 120 km/h winds blew through the racecourse and forced the Hobart Cup to be rescheduled to a later date.As expected, there was a healthy dose of interstate competitors among the 80 ladies who took to the stage in their finest racewear. Unexpectedly, it was a clean sweep for New South Wales entrants, with judges including Myer ambassador Kate Peck and style editor of the Hobart Mercury, Brigitte Kolbe, awarding all top three spots to ladies from the state.Taking top honours was Nowra local Brooke Strahan in perhaps one of the most understated and original ensembles we've seen in recent years.Brooke's outfit consisted of a recycled Alpha 60 dress (she wore it previously to claim runner-up at the Ballan Cup) with cut-out armholes worn over a grey singlet. She paired it with a striking bespoke leather hat with orchid detailing made by Sophie Allport, and added grey and white gloves, a vintage clutch and white pumps to finish her winning look.Sophie will represent Tasmania in the 2014 Myer Fashions on the Field national final, winning a 10-day trip of a lifetime to the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington.Familiar faces at Fashions on the Field events, Chantelle Buckley and Lisa Wellings, were named first and second runners-up respectively.Chantelle was dressed in an outfit made by her mother in tones of champagne, green and cobalt blue, with a rather spectacular knotted sisal headpiece, which was also created by her clever mum.Lisa, a former state finalist for NSW, matched her Miss Sixty digital print dress to an eye-catching Liza Stedman parasisal and crin headpiece with ostrich feather explosions.The next round of Myer Fashions on the Field state finals takes place in South Australia at the Adelaide Cup meeting on March 10 (yes, that's a Monday). This is a special one for us as we'll be there, and hope to bring you live coverage from the event. I (Lisa) will also be sitting on the judging panel and am hoping to see plenty of South Australian ladies turn up in their finest, most stand-out and unique racewear looks. Adelaide has never had a national winner in Myer Fashions on the Field - perhaps 2014 is the year this changes?By Lisa TanPhoto credits: VRC Instagram and Sophie Allport Designs Facebook page.