NSW Myer Fashions on the Field Final
After a year of uncertainty over the Australian Turf Club's involvement with Myer and their Fashions on the Field competition, the event finally returned to a Sydney racecourse today, where an actual Sydneysider - rather than an interstate contestant - was crowned the winner. Congratulations to Kelli Odell!
You may remember Kelli, who, in my memory, goes down as the most unlucky runner-up in national Myer Fashions on the Field history. Back in 2009 when she was a fresh-faced Fashions on the Field novice, Kelli won the NSW Myer Fashions on the Field final in a beautiful Mad Men-esque (it was all the rage back then) full-skirted dress in a vivid floral print. But the cheeky open back divided judges at the national final, and Kelli lost out to WA representative Elizabeth Pollard in a simple dusky pink and cream ensemble, and what I can still only describe as a monstrosity of epic millinery proportions. (I know, it's harsh, but see for yourself...)
Bright florals seem to be a lucky pattern for Kelli, who again wore a multicoloured print dress (this time in a more demure shift style that she had commissioned especially for the occasion), a sculptural Hatmaker by Jonathan Howard deep pink headpiece topped with orange acrylic and pale pink silk flowers, and completed the look with studded Valentino peeptoes.
Natasha Kent and Louise Struber were named the first and second runners-up respectively. You may remember Louise, too, who also finished runner-up in the national competition in 2011 when our very own Angela Menz scooped the title. Natasha donned a very elegant inky black ensemble, complete with classic Chanel handbag, while Louise sported a graphic print dress with a sculptural tri-coloured headpiece.
With the last two national Myer Fashions on the Field winners hailing from the Sydney final, will 2013 provide a hattrick for NSW, and a first win for Kelli Odell in the competition? We'll find out on November 7.Don't forget: next week is the last state final of Myer Fashions on the Field before the competition moves to Flemington, and I will be at Ascot Racecourse to help decide who will represent Western Australia in the national final! Good luck to all the entrants, and do have a read of our "How to win Fashions on the Field" guides for tips and tricks on how to dress for the event.Photo credits: instagram.com/myer_mystore, www.vrc.net.au, www.zimbio.com, twitter.com/FlemingtonVRC.By Lisa Tan