FASHIONISTAS will swap the catwalk for photo booths at Melbourne Racing Club’s new look Fashions on the Field, kicking off at the new Caulfield Guineas Fashion Stable.
Instead of clutching a number and showing off their style on the runway, entrants in this year’s competition will have a mini-styling session before having their photos taken, with their three favourites put to the judges.
A new people’s choice award will also be run on social media in the days following the event.
A “squad” category for groups of two to eight has also been introduced.
The action will all take place in the Fashion Stable, a new trackside fashion and lifestyle precinct sponsored by David Jones.
The Fashion Stable will also house a spacious lounge area and trackside bar, flowing with Chandon and Catalina Sounds as well as premium food.
Those who love a stylish accessory will be able to buy a unique Chandon champagne flute to take home.
The changes were announced not long after the major sponsor for Fashions on the Field – Chadstone – bowed out after more than 10 years of bank rolling the event.
The naming rights for the new format – the Style Stakes – is now held by Westfield.
The MRC says the reformatted event aimed to appeal to a broader audience.
MRC chief commercial officer told News Corp that it would be more inclusive with people who didn’t want to get on stage to compete able to take part.
Not everyone is looking forward to the new format.
Seasoned competitors have flooded social media with concerns about the changes at Caulfield with some threatening to boycott this year’s Fashions on the Field (FOTF).
Many have voiced their disappointment via Facebook page It’s All About the Sash, set up by Em Scodellaro for the fashions on the field community.
After writing to the MRC and presenting them with a survey conducted via the Facebook page Ms Scodellaro was given a thorough briefing about the new precinct.
In a recent post to her followers Ms Scodellaro said the precinct boasted a “huge catwalk” that would feature parades showcasing fashion available at David Jones.
The parades would be similar to those run at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and would “bring fashion to the racegoer”, she said.
Ms Scodellaro said she was told by the MRC that their statistics showed a decline in entries to FOTF.
“I did mention that this could be partly due to the decline in prize money over the years attracting less participants,” she said.
She also pointed out that the over 40s category had been overlooked in the new format.
“They had their own category in the past… this was a major draw card for entrants who had entered previously,” Ms Scodellaro said.
She said the MRC agreed to take those concerns on board when planning future events.
DJ’s biggest fashion rival Myer is also shaking things up for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Myer has scratched its traditional marquee in the Birdcage for Oaks Day, with an exclusive ladies lunch to be held in its place.
The country’s most celebrated and dynamic women, including politicians, philanthropists, actors, artists, business leaders and entrepreneurs have been invited to the event.
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