EVENT: Cairns Amateurs

The Cairns Amateurs Fashions on the Field is on again this year with many categories over two days of the carnival on September 6 and 7. Having attended Amateurs for the past two years I'm very excited to see what everyone is wearing! No one else does colour quite like the ladies and gents of Queensland and as it's the first major carnival of spring, all eyes will be looking to see what racewear looks are strutting down the stage. Over recent years there have been a number of women from Cairns who have been very successful at the Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field so the standard is very high and the competition attracts many competitors from interstate.Cairns Amateurs 2011 heatsThe categories for 2013 are as follows-Ladies Day (Friday), September 6· Open Ladies Racewear· Millinery Award (judged from entrants in both Open Racewear categories)· Gold Class (Ladies 50 years and over)· Best Emerging DesignersThis category is open to any person without commercial design experience and encourages outstanding racewear design. The Garment and Millinery component must be designed and made by the entrant. There is a first prize for Best Emerging Designer and a runner-up for Best Emerging Milliner.Mackenzie, last years winner of the Emerging Designer category. His outfits blew me away!Amateur Cup Day (Saturday), September 7· 25 & Under Ladies· Open Classic Ladies Racewear· Best Dressed Couple categories· Open Men's RacewearThe men taking to the stageFor full details of the judging criteria and for pre-registration click hereIf you're thinking of entering I would suggest making sure you have a good look at the judging critera. Having judged at Cairns Amateurs previously it was certainly pulled out and referred to when making decisions on who would take home the sash. This year I'll be a spectator but I will be posting a few tips from a couple of the judges and what they will be looking for this year. I'll also be snapping photos and posting updates on all the fashion action during the carnival.If you haven't been to Cairns Amateurs before and wish to fully enjoy the Fashions on the Field, you might want to look into booking a seat in the Garden Party Marquee. The heats for Fashions on the Field are held here so you have a great view of all the fashion action. As a bonus it's airconditioned inside if you can't cope with the tropical heat. For details click hereThe Carlton MID Amateurs Carnival has a number of events and functions on too. Jessica Mauboy will be guest performer at the annual ball. Check it out
By Angela Menz