Myer Fashions on Your Front Lawn brings Flemington’s fashions on the field to homes
Forget trackie dacks and active wear — at-home outfits are about to get a lot more stylish, as fashion enthusiasts vie for spring racing’s best-dressed crown without going trackside. Here’s how.
Lifestyle
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Fashion-loving racegoers won’t have to worry about sore feet and dressing for the weather this spring racing carnival, with the famous Flemington Myer Fashions on the Field transforming into a digital event.
The newly named Myer Fashions on Your Front Lawn will allow beautifully dressed contestants from across Australia to enter the photo-based competition — kicking off this Saturday with the Sofitel Girls’ Day In — from the comfort of their own homes.
Victoria Racing Club executive general manager customer engagement Caroline Ralphsmith says the new digital competition will be a welcome distraction from the challenges of COVID-19.
“I know a lot of our dedicated fashions on the field lovers will be delighted we are continuing with the competition, despite the challenges we all continue to face this year,” she says.
“Myer Fashions on the Field is Australia’s most prestigious outdoor fashion event and we are committed to the physical competition long term.
“But, with the current restrictions and not being able to gather at Flemington Racecourse in the way that we are used to, these changes will ensure the competition still goes ahead.”
Ms Ralphsmith says while the club still hopes to be able to welcome some racegoers to Flemington, taking the competition online guarantees everyone can be involved.
All key categories will remain, along with some fun new competitions to be announced closer to the event, and entrants still have the chance to win more than $80,000 in prizes including a new Lexus UX250h 2WD sports car.
A star-studded line-up of expert judges including Network 10s Carrie Bickmore, Myer designer Dom Bagnato and VRC ambassador Elliot Garnaut will select the top male and female contestant in each state and territory, with the Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn national finalists announced in mid-October ahead of the final on Kennedy Oaks Day.
It is the first year men can enter the interstate competition.
It is also the first year the VRC and Myer have opened up the national competition to residents of the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, making it a truly national competition.
Fashions on the Field enthusiasts share what they are looking forward to about Fashions on Your Front Lawn, and offer some inspiration for aspiring racing fashionistas:
SUZY ESKANDER – STYLIST
Desperate to get out of active wear and pyjamas and escape our current situation, it’s a purpose to dress up, don the lippie and grab your heels.
It will be the fashion event of the year, there are no limits, no weather restrictions, and no excuses — it’s a great opportunity if you have always wanted to enter and couldn’t get to the track.
With no events or outings for months, ladies and gents will thrive at the chance to dress up again, and I think we will see very colourful, creative and thoughtful outfits.
Face masks will become the new accessory with fashion designers producing more chic and feminine options complimenting dresses and men could opt for a smart bandannas paired with suits.
Ladies will be able to wear their uncomfortable but oh so stylish heels and not weather dependent outfits if they are just confined to the home.
ANGELA MENZ – FASHIONS ON THE FIELD FAVOURITE
Since the year has been really tough, being mindful of tighter finances means we’ll see older cherished fashion pieces hidden in the wardrobe being restyled and revamped to be worn again in new ways.
I think it’s a great initiative to encourage people to ditch their tracksuits, dress up and get excited for the Melbourne Cup Carnival!
With so many people unable to travel this year it’s also a great way to ensure that everyone can still be a part of a long running tradition in a new way and is a perfect opportunity for more people to get involved in the competition.
Some colours and details will show up better in photos than others so make sure you wear something that will photograph well is my biggest tip.
Consider where you will take your photos whether you’re in an apartment, or you’re lucky enough to have a lawn to stand on, find a good backdrop to showcase your outfit.
COURTNEY AND ANDREA MOORE, FASHIONS ON THE FIELD ENTHUSIASTS
It is going to be so different to any race day or photo competition any competitor has ever entered, but it is so great to see that Flemington have adapted and the competition is still going ahead.
For all of us in Victoria who have not been able to attend a race day all year, it will be so fulfilling to have the fashion, the outfit planning, the dressing up and the race day to go ahead and to still be able to connect with all those that enter.
Dress as you have always wanted, meaning a bigger headpiece because maybe in the past you have needed to wear certain headwear to fit in a car or a different material because of weather, but when you only need to wear it at home and not for the whole day, go out of the box and experiment!
JULIE WALDREN – FASHION AND RACING VETERAN
I hope people still stick to the great fashion traditions of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
I know that I will definitely be wearing black and white on Derby Day, colour on Cup Day and for me Pink on Oaks Day.
I’m pleased that I won’t have to carry a coat and an umbrella, and I know my husband might just take the opportunity to ditch the suit.
I love the idea that everyone can participate and that it gives people an opportunity to dress up, watch the races and enjoy the spectacle.
I love the carnival and the fashion and it’s all about individual style. I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone wears.
BERNIE VINCE – FORMER MYER MEN’S RACING AMBASSADOR
We’ve all had to adapt in these uncertain times, and it’s no different in fashion.
This year it looks as though we may be watching the Melbourne Cup Carnival from home, let’s hope by that stage we can have at least a few people around.
I think it’s very important to get into the carnival swing though and dress up, even though the dress may be a little bit more relaxed.
I love the concept of fashions on your front lawn, it’s the perfect way to encourage people to still dress up and enjoy the racing even though it may be from our TV screens at home.
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