MILLICENT was well represented in the sport of style last week when Brianna Scanlon and Kimmi Varcoe graced the stage for the Murray Bridge Gold Cup’s Fashions on the Field.
Both girls were named in South Australia’s top 10 at the event, which has now become one of the most lucrative competitions at race days outside of the on-track action.
Brianna, 23, entered her first event four years ago at the Millicent Cup “for a bit of fun” and finished second.
She was immediately hooked on the competition and started to look for the next race meet so she could create a new look.
“I did not really plan on entering, but thought why not considering I was dressed up,” Ms Scanlon said.
“After making the top 10 for the day and placing second I realised this was a hobby in the making.”
Since then Ms Scanlon has entered competitions state-wide and has added a number of winning sashes to her wardrobe.
She said it was “amazing, surreal and exciting” to add a Top 10 Best Dressed in South Australia accolade to her list, which she hopes to keep growing.
Ms Scanlon made a statement at the Murray Bridge meet in a bold and fun dress with bright colours throughout its fabric.
“I wanted to pick up the circles and hints of gold within the fabric and did so by pairing it with a halo-style millinery piece and a round clear Perspex clutch with gold hardware,” she said.
“Because there is a lot going on with the dress I tried to keep my accessories minimal and subtle, which I think worked well with the perspex in the heels and clutch.”
“My dress maker Di McLaughlin is absolutely incredible.
“She made my design come to life within a very short time frame, as did Melissa Barnes with my millinery.
“I saw this particular piece on Melissa last year and knew that is what I wanted – over 15 hours of work went into creating the halo.”
Ms Scanlon found inspiration for her outfit on social media and was a fan of ruffles and mixing a pattern print with a block colour, which was evident in the final product.
She said her favourite part about race day is the social scene, meeting new people and making new friends.
“The races are such a fun event to attend not only to dress up and wear beautiful creations, but to watch the horses run and be amongst the atmosphere when they hit that last straight before the finish line,” she said.
Meanwhile 25-year-old Ms Varcoe has competed in fashions on the field for around seven years.
She first became involved through her mother Helen’s love for racing fashion.
As Helen is a milliner, the pair enjoy creating outfits for race meets together and have left quite an impression on the catwalk.
Ms Varcoe said she found inspiration for her Murray Bridge outfit in Vogue magazine and was inspired by the pleated styles.
“It is all about frills and flowers,” she said.
“Mum handmade the flowers on my hat and we enjoyed working with the pleats to create the dress by Di McLaughlin.”
She said it was nice to represent South Australia with a change to digital competition keeping everyone closer to their home states.
“A highlight of competing for me would be Derby Day two years ago, which is where I wore my favourite outfit,” she said.
“Unfortunately I got stuck in traffic and missed the fashions on the field, but still had an unreal day.
“Also winning runner-up in South Australia back-to-back was pretty nice.”
Ms Varcoe enjoys the races because it gives her the opportunity to dress up in outfits she normally would not wear to other events, as well as winning money on the horses.
The overall state champion won a prize package in excess of $11,000, which includes a 10-day trip of a lifetime to the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival to compete in the national final.
