2013 Myer Fashions on the Field Launch

On a windy, chilly spring morning at Flemington, the 2013 Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure was officially launched, gathering designers, milliners, VIPs and the interstate and People’s Choice Award finalists to celebrate the occasion.This year, the upstairs Myer Fashions on the Field enclosure has been expanded and now includes a two-storey viewing area that is open to the public. Guests were welcomed to the enclosure with a fashion installation featuring models posing on podiums, dressed in current season racewear from Myer.While the viewing of the Fashions on the Field competition may be a bit tricky in some spots, I dare say it’s the best public viewing of the racetrack as well as the fashion (punters take note!). As a bonus, should the weather take a turn for the worst, it’s shielded from the elements with a roof to keep any rain away. The downstairs area remains similar to previous years with seating on each side of the stage. If you wish to grab a seat to see the fashion action I’d suggest arriving early, as I think with such great viewing in a prime position on the lawn there will be a battle for the limited seating.UK Myer Designer Jeff Banks is back for another year as host of the competition, alongside Fashions on the Field newcomer Melissa Hetherington from Channel 7. Myer designer Dom Bagnato and Myer ambassador Kris Smith were on hand to give useful advice for gents wishing to enter the Men’s Racewear competition. Dom tips The Great Gatsby influence to feature strongly in men's racewear this season, and expects men to "experiment" with their looks. Meanwhile, Kris advises men to "take a female with them" to give advice when shopping for outfits, and also recommends wearing hats - especially if it's a sunny day and you don't have a thick head of hair! OTOT suggests taking a close look at the details of your outfit, in particular the minor details (socks, pocket square, cufflinks etc.) as this can give you an edge and set you apart from the rest of the competition. (Don't forget, Lisa is judging Men's Racewear on Derby Day, so we know our stuff! She also has a soft spot for men in hats...)Myer Fashions on the Field ambassador Rebecca Bramich and Myer milliner Natalie Bikicki gave some hints for the Women’s Racewear competition, and talked us through some of this season's millinery and fashion trends. Natalie says "structural headwear" is the latest look in millinery right now, but cautions wearers to be mindful that their headpieces don't "eclipse" them. Rebecca stresses the importance of following key trends, but also wants to see competitors "project their personality into their outfits".Lisa and I were lucky enough to speak to Myer CEO Bernie Brookes following proceedings. Accessible and approachable, unlike so many other CEOs, Bernie is also an unlikely but very keen Fashions on the Field fan and is a regular front-row fixture at the events. He takes Fashions on the Field very seriously - so much so that he's known to make bets on the competition with Brian Levine, putting in $20 each and listing their first, second and third selections in their racebooks (Bernie successfully picked Angela for the win in 2011). The Myer boss admitted he is currently $20 down, but is confident of making up for it during the Melbourne Cup Carnival. He also divulged his favourite of the finalists so far but, as he is a man of great influence, we’ll keep it hush-hush so none of the judges are swayed by his thoughts!He also spoke of how important Fashions on the Field is to Myer, revealing the Friday before Derby Day is their busiest Spring Carnival retailing period, selling one hat or fascinator for every minute the store is open. A staggering 21,000 dresses are also sold at Myer each year during the spring racing months, meaning Myer is definitely a crowd favourite in the fashion stakes.

By Angela Menz and Lisa Tan

Supermodel Coco Rocha to attend Melbourne Cup Carnival

Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha has just been announced as the official International Style Guest for the 2013 Melbourne Cup Carnival. Scouted at an Irish dancing competition when she was 14, Rocha has modelled for every major designer, has appeared on many covers of the most influential fashion magazines (including several times for Vogue Italia) and boasts a combined 11 million followers on her blog OH SO COCO, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and vimeo accounts.The coach/judge of The Face is one of the few models to address the prevalence of eating disorders in her industry, after the five-foot-ten beauty had previously been told she did not conform to the ultra-slim size zero look favoured by designers. "I’m not in demand for the shows anymore," she said in an interview after one particular New York Fashion Week. "I’ve been told to lose weight when I was really skinny."In an interview with the New York Times, Rocha spoke out about when she came to terms with the industry's unrealistic expectations of models. "It took me a long time in the business to realise I didn't have to do everything people told me I should if I wanted a career...You know what, I stopped caring," she said. "If I want a hamburger, I'm going to have one. No 21-year-old should be worrying about whether she fits a sample size... A lot of people don't take into account the vulnerability of these young girls."Her willingness to speak out about the pressures facing models led to an invite from US Vogue supremo Anna Wintour to participate in the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Health Initiative conferences, where she discussed the issues of weight and age in the modelling industry. She is now on the board of the Model Alliance, which was established to protect models and improve their working conditions.Rocha will spend six days in Melbourne and will be attending Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, the Crown Oaks Club Luncheon and Crown Oaks Day. She will also put her fashion expertise to use, judging the Women's Racewear and Design Award on Cup Day, and the Women's Racewear National Final on Oaks Day.Photo credit: www.parade.comBy Lisa Tan

David's Restaurant, Prahran, VIC

Chapel Street in Prahran isn't a place I frequent these days - maybe six or seven years ago, when I was drawn to the array of (largely uninspiring and overrated) boutiques contained within the long stretch of road. Angela and I both commented on the way to David's that neither of us had visited this area for years, so we wondered what David Zhou and his staff had in store for us, and hoped it wouldn't turn out like the local boutiques I used to shop at.Situated just off Chapel Street on Cecil Place, David's could not be more like the hurly-burly of the nearby main road, nor the décor usually associated with Chinese restaurants - it was bright, light and airy, with whitewashed panelled ceiling and walls, cheerful pots of greenery and twinkling fairy lights. The staff were welcoming, efficient and knowledgeable, giving us much-needed prompts when we couldn't choose between dishes on the rural Shanghai-inspired menu.We made a not-so-authentic start with a cocktail each, Angela opting for the refreshing Bunda Glam (strawberries, liqueur and vodka) as I choose something a little more boozy in Pacific Isle (white rum, plum wine and yuzu liqueur), both $15. Then came the Shanghai Snacks and Parcels in the form of DIY Shredded Duck and Vegie Wraps, $14, Steamed Pork Dumplings, $9, and Prawn and Bamboo Dumplings, $10. The duck and vegie wraps were a social but slightly messy starter, allowing us to pile (read: overfill) slithers of rich, roasted duck into thin, pancake-like wraps. The prawn and bamboo dumplings glowed green thanks to the addition of bok choy juice in the skin, which also added an earthiness to the juicy prawns, while the pork dumplings were arguably some of the best I've ever eaten - I'd return for these alone.Already feeling content from the starters, we were presented with two generous mains and some quality fried rice. We welcomed the clean, fresh taste of the Coriander Fish Fillet and Snowpeas, $25, which would make a perfect, light dish for the health-conscious. Unlike the gooey decadence of the aptly-named Country Comfort: Sticky Pork Belly with Chat Potatoes, $23 - two-bite portions of gloriously fatty pork belly smothered in sweet, moreish sauce with lumps of fluffy potatoes.Even though we struggled through the mains, we couldn't bypass the temptation of dessert - especially when it involved dumplings with chocolate. And so it was we stuffed in some Soft-Centred White Chocolate Dumplings with Peanut and Coconut Praline and Icecream, $9. Being allergic to nuts, Angela was thrilled when our host Yunan said it wouldn't be a problem to serve the dish without the praline, allowing us both to indulge in the little sticky parcels of white chocolate goodness. We washed them down with a "soothing digestive" Jasmine Pearl Tea, $10, which provided a cleansing end to a somewhat gluttonous evening.Given its close proximity to many popular post-races hangouts, David's is a great location for a gourmet pit-stop on raceday evenings, providing deliciously satisfying fare in a social and relaxing environment. Bookings are advised, especially during Melbourne Cup week (and it must be noted David's is closed on Melbourne Cup Day).Angela says: Dining at David's was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. My highlights of the evening were the pork dumplings and the dumpling dessert. As a lover of dumplings I have to go with Lisa say these are definitely some of the best I've ever eaten. I also wish to note how pleasantly my allergy to nuts was dealt with. I felt very comfortable with how it was handled- which as anyone with a nut allergy knows isn't always the case when dining out.   

David's Restaurant, 4 Cecil Place, Prahran, VIC. Open for lunch Monday - Friday 12-3pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:30am-3pm, and dinner Monday - Wednesday 6pm-10pm, Thursday and Sunday 6pm-10:30pm, Friday and Saturday 6pm-11pm. Book online or call (03) 9529 5199 for a reservation.OTOT dined as guests of David Zhou.By Lisa Tan and Angela Menz