Bright colours, gawdy fabrics and overdone accessories were pushed aside at Wingatui yesterday, with muted tones, classic fits and co-ordinated accents taking centre stage.
These race-day outfits are often well thought out creations, with days spent organising shoes, fascinators, clutches and dresses.
The winner of Fashion on the Field, however, had a different story.
Siobhan Moroney was supposed to be working yesterday but her boss told her to take the afternoon off and head to the races.
The Otago Polytechnic fashion graduate went home and pulled a dress out of her closet which she had made a few years ago.
The "beautifully summery" couture garment resulted in her winning a $4500 prize package which included $2000 worth of fashion from Arthur Barnett, $500 of Estee Lauder product, $500 of jewellery from Brent Weatherall Jeweller and automatic entry to the regional final of the Mercedes Prix de Fashion at Ellerslie, Auckland, next March, including flights and accommodation.
"It's a real surprise," she said.
Second place went to Kat O'Connor in an outfit made by local designer Bob Duggan.
"I picked the style I liked and she was able to re-create it."
Third place was awarded to one of the two men in the final, the largest male representation since the competition began, Murray Thomas.
"My wife got me to get kitted out in this," he said of his grey suit with orange tie get-up.
Judge, Arthur Barnett fashion buyer Yvette Billot, said the standard for this year's event was high.
She and fellow judges Jay Jay Feeney, from the Edge radio station, and Nicky Hunt, from More FM, were looking for a day-wear outfit and were drawn to classic ensembles in muted tones.
"When we are judging, it's not just about what they are wearing; it's about how they carry themselves," she said.
ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
Photos by Gerard O'Brien; prints available from otagoimages.co.nz.
