Fashions on your Front Lawn back for 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival

The Melbourne Cup Carnival’s fashion contest is back in all its stylish glory — and you won’t even have to leave your front yard to get involved.

The fabulous fashions of spring racing will be celebrated nationwide with the return of Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn as a digital event.

The successful format used last year for the traditional Myer Fashions of the Field competition is open to all Australian residents, with glamour and style still on the cards regardless of crowds on track at Flemington.

Victoria Racing Club ambassador Crystal Kimber-Peters said everyone could get involved.

“It’s really fun dressing up, feeling good and putting some make-up on,’’ she said.

“This year I’m judging the men’s national competition and I can’t wait to see what they come up with — there’s more than $100,000 of prizes for both male and female entrants.”

Photo-based submissions will be judged state by state ahead of the national final broadcast live on Network 10 on Kennedy Oaks Day on November 4.

A star-studded line-up of judges will include Myer ambassador Kris Smith, Lexus ambassador Kate Waterhouse, milliner Stephen Jones and Network 10’s Carrie Bickmore, Sarah Harris and Jock Zonfrillo.

Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn ambassador Crystal Kimber and partner Andy Peters are gearing up for a fashionable Melbourne Cup Carnival. Picture: Jason Edwards

New for this year is a wildcard on-course component for the national women’s and menswear competitions.

Dedicated style spotters at Flemington will select and photograph the best-dressed male and female attendees at Penfolds Victoria Derby Day and Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, with judges choosing one male and female wildcard winner to gain direct entry into the national final.

VRC chief executive Steve Rosich said the club was overwhelmed by the positive response to Fashions on your Front Lawn in 2020.

“The calibre and scale of entries in the Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn competition last year were exceptional, from our dedicated Fashions on the Field devotees to a brand-new segment of style setters,” Mr Rosich said.

“In 2021 the VRC want to encourage fashion lovers everywhere, including our valued VRC members, to join us in celebrating the excitement and glamour of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, no matter their look or location.”

Fashions on your Front Lawn participants can share their entry on social media platforms, tagging @FlemingtonVRC and #cupweekfashion, with entries open from Sofitel Girls’ Day Out on September 11.