Inclusive Melbourne Cup with neither a best dressed woman or man

One of the nation’s most iconic fashion events won’t recognise the best dressed woman or man this year, ditching the coveted awards in lieu of titles that ‘drive equality, inclusion and individuality’.

Sydney-based queer stylist Deni Todorovič promotes “de-gendering” fashion. Picture: Supplied

One of the nation’s best-known fashion events won’t recognise the best-dressed woman or man this year, ditching the coveted awards in lieu of titles that “drive equality, inclusion and individuality”.

A man in a dress, a woman in a suit, or a non-binary person in a pant suit all have a shot at winning the top prizes at the Myer Fashions on the Field event as it returns alongside the Melbourne Cup Carnival in October.

Victoria’s Racing Commission has ditched the formerly gender-structured men’s and women’s award categories, introducing the “best dressed” and “best suited” as 2022’s top fashion awards, a move it said was about looking to the ­“future” and to “evolve and invigorate the competition”.

VRC chairman Neil Wilson encouraged people “to enter ­either category based on their unique personal style”.

“We proudly embrace the notion that fashion and style are an ­expression of individual creativity and believe this should be ­reflected in the international event,” he said.

Fashions on the Field organisers said this year’s awards were particularly important as the event was celebrating its 60th ­anni­versary. The VRC said it would have scouts trekking up and down the racecourse to identify “the most stylish on track” and to encourage them to enter for the new inclusive award categories.

Competition is expected to be steep this year with a slew of prizes from Myer, Kennedy Watches & Jewellery, TCL and Sofitel Melbourne On Collins. Winners of the best dressed and best suited categories will win a Lexus car.

Former stylist and queer activist Deni Todorovic said that “de-gendering” fashion helped the industry progress and often made fashion awards more competitive.

“Style is so objective and one person is ultimately going to be more stylish in the eyes of a single judge,” they said. “(More inclusive awards) might encourage everyone to make more of an effort. Maybe the men will need to step up their game.”

Todorovic said awards were traditionally centred around gender despite those behind the labels often belonging to the LGBTQI community.

“The Australian fashion landscape and fashion industry more broadly has long been filled with queer people, from hair and make-up artists to designers,” they said.

Asked what kind of award categories would foster a more inclusive culture, Todorovic said events should consider categories such as “evening dress” or “smart casual”. “It used to be men versus women, but now we look at an event and we say, ‘Harry Styles looked really great’. There is less of an emphasis on a person’s ­gender.”