2023 Fashions on the Field Competition

LOOK BACK AT THE MAGIC

The 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field Competition was just Magic! We had an influx of beautiful ensembles bless the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival for the Fashions on the Field Competition, digitally and on-course.

Explore last year's entries

2023 Fashions on the Field Winners

Best Dressed

Winner – Eleanor Campbell

Dressed in a white Solace London dress paired with a hat by milliner Monika Neuhauser, Eleanor Campbell, the New-Zealander epitomised elegance. “A lot of people talk about how you don’t win with a Derby Day outfit because you don’t have the colour, so I was a bit nervous. Not many black-and-white ladies win, apparently, but I've done it! I’m so excited, I’m lost for words.”She attended Cup Week with her mother, Anna, also an international digital finalist in the Best Suited competition. Participating in Fashions on the Field competitions both in Australia and their native New Zealand are shared passions for the mother-daughter duo, who are typically found on their farm, covered with dog hair. “We run a doggy daycare business, so we usually dress quite differently to this!” Eleanor remarked.

FIND OUT MORE

Best Suited

Winner – Domingo Martinez

The Best Suited category saw Domingo Martinez from Sydney, New South Wales clinch the victory, donning an upcycled suit paired with his own handmade millinery. Martinez, an accountant by profession, understands the importance of attention to detail, which was evident in his winning ensemble.

“Precision is crucial in my profession. A single mistake can be costly. And this outfit represents me.”

While the suit itself was impressive, Martinez’s hat added an exceptional finishing touch, elevating the entire look. “I bought the flower and designed the hat to suit my personality.”

FIND OUT MORE

Emerging Designer Award

Winner – Jessica Virk

For up-and-coming fashion designer Jessica Virk, winning first prize in the 2023 Emerging Designer Award was a “surreal” experience for which she was so grateful. Her winning outfit featured a deconstructed trench-based dress with a wide-hipped corset, pleated Herringbone wool skirt, and wool crepe shirt, paired with a fascinator and sustainable plastic earrings.

Inspired by architect Zaha Hadid, Jessica’s design combined elegance with a touch of roughness. The Whitehouse Institute of Design graduate, who aims to work for designers like Thom Browne or Chitose Abe took home an invaluable trip to Paris Fashion Week as part of her prize, worth over $40,000.

Winner – Cynthia Bryson Jones

The time-honoured Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award was awarded to Cynthia Jones – Bryson for an incredible third time in 2023, affirming her role as one of the country’s top milliners. "'Sway With Me’ was inspired by my love of colour and the Michael Buble song Sway. A gentle swaying breeze, a beautiful slow dance and the light playing with the colour of the headpiece. I repurposed materials that I found in travels and have had for many years. From design to completion it was approximately 30 hours."