Showing posts with label Adelaide Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adelaide Cup. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

My Adelaide Cup Day - Fashion , Fillies & Fun

Adelaide Cup Day. One of my favourites. And this year was no different.

Back before baby, I usually spent months carefully putting together the elements of my outfit - first the hat, then selecting a dress to match, and finally shoes, handbag and accessories.

These days there is a lot less time to dedicate to the cause, but knowing where to go for each element has put me in good stead for the future.

As I judged the Myer Fashions on the Field this year, I also wanted to showcase local designers wherever possible.

1. The hat/fascinator. Luckily for me, I know a very talented local milliner (Georgie Young) who creates a range of gorgeous, race-appropriate head pieces. Her label Georgie Lou is available at One Rundle, which is where I picked up one of her latest headband creations featuring black, leather flowers. Perfect for an Autumn racing carnival. 

2. The outfit. Although colour blocking was in this year, I chose traditional racewear. Black and white. Liza Emanuele always has fantastic classic pieces which are timeless, and I decided upon a white pleat skirt with black band along the bottom, and a striped halter neck top with ruffles down the front. I also added a black suede Morrison bolero to the outfit to bring the Autumn leathers together. Oh, and black patent stilettos.

3. Hair & make up. Thanks to my trusty GHDs, I have mastered the art of doing my own hair when the salons are shut on a Monday (why oh why do they shut on Adelaide Cup), but I did manage to get my make up professionally done. Aleisha Gannon is a brilliant make up artist and she got me 'race ready'. I'd readily recommend her any day. I chose red Mac lipstick to bring some colour to my black & white outfit.

Once all the preparations were done, it was off to the track to hang out with Rebecca Judd & Kris Smith in the Myer Marquee before judging the Fashions on the Field.

Although there were some bad outfits this year (we even saw butt cheek), the girls who made it through to the top ten were all amazing.

Casey Saint, the Face of the Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup & I
I took a quick snap (above) of my 'thank you' gift from Myer - a fab gift pack with Marc Jacobs perfume & moisturiser.

After my duties were done for the day, it was off to the Adelaide Casino's Chandelier Lounge (Tapestry Pavillion) for some bubbles, some catching up with friends (including the gorgeous Face of the Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup, Casey Saint - pictured right) & enjoying the trackside view of the races.  

I had yet another brilliant day at the track and would recommend it to anyone. If you are considering going next year, do try and get a marquee ticket - it's a far more comfortable way of experiencing the races!

See you trackside in a few months for the next installment - Irish Race Day.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Judging Myer Fashions On The Field

Casey Saint, Face of the Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup
I'm not sure why I do this to myself. I've agreed to judge the Myer Fashions On The Field, South Australian Preliminary Finals and State Final of the Women’s Racewear competition. This is terrible news. It means I can't enter. It also means I'll be spending the day hanging out with super glamour Rebecca Judd, who is the Myer Ambassador. As someone who had a baby at the same time as me, there is the potential for us to sit there, swap baby photos and talk about nappies, but somehow I don't think that will be happening. Instead I'll be wondering how she managed to lose her baby weight so quickly.

Anyway, focus Kelly. Back to the point of today's blog. The Myer Fashions On The Field.

I'm actually quite excited about this, because in some small way, by judging again I'll be able to help give direction to the women of Adelaide as to what is and isn't acceptable at the races. One of my passions.

As someone who has previously won several Fashions on the Field, I feel somewhat qualified to be dishing out this advice, so here they are. My pearls of wisdom. Please note, these are specifically targeting those wanting to win fashions on the field - or just look fabulous on the day.

Race Day Fashion

1. Wear a hat or fascinator. This is the races. It is expected. It is tradition. It is a great way to accessorise your outfit. If you can afford it, go to a milliner and have something made to match your outfit. If hats scare you, there are lots of great little fascinators which work just as well, and make your outfit into a race day outfit. Without a head piece you may as well be going to a cocktail party. Come on, this is the RACES! Make the most of it.

2. Limit the amount of skin you are showing. This is not the beach. Nor is it a nightclub. Do not show too much cleavage or leg if you actually want to have a shot at winning the Fashions. This is a classy affair ladies. There are plenty of other places to wear your new sexy, figure hugging outfit, so leave it in the wardrobe and find an outfit that specifically works for Race Day fashion.

3. Wear appropriate shoes. The Fashions On The Field are held early in the day. Wear fabulous shoes that match your outfit. Then, if you can't bear to be in those shoes all day (on grass in particular) take a change of shoes for when you're not on the catwalk. DO NOT GO BAREFOOT. Ever. That rule goes for anyone at the races. If you can't wear them all day, either bring a change with you or don't wear them in the first place. There is nothing more unglamorous than girls without shoes on. We want you to look special on the catwalk, but we also value your integrity for the rest of the day.

4. Pay attention to the little details. As a judge we look at everything. It helps us choose between you and your competitor. Make sure your nails are neat and  clean and your nailpolish matches your outfit. Fingers and toes ladies. If your handbag doesn't go with your outfit, get one of your friends to hold it - don't bring it up on stage. Make sure your make up is touched up. Make sure you don't have red wine teeth. Make sure your hair has been looked at since the last time you went out in the wind. VPL - avoid it if possible. Shave your legs. Moisturise. Trim loose threads on your outfit. All these little things matter.

5. Wear something you're comfortable in. If you feel good and are confident in your outfit, you're more likely to look GREAT!

6. Last but not least, wear a versatile outfit. If you WIN the Adelaide Cup Myer Fashions On The Field this Autumn, you'll be sent over to Melbourne in SPRING to compete in the Melbourne Cup Fashions On The Field - in the SAME outfit! Unfortunately this is just part of how it all works, so try and wear something that looks good now, but will also work during Spring Racing Carnival too. You never know what the weather will do during either event anyway, so having something that works on a hot or cold day (ie think about jackets, umbrellas, shawls etc) can be useful regardless.

Good luck ladies!


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Face of the Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup

Another judging gig is upon me. This time it's to help decide on the Face of Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup.

I've always been a fan of the races so it's great to be involved. Perhaps I've seen My Fair Lady one too many times, but there is nothing like dressing up and going to the track. In the past I've spent months in the lead up to each major race day (Adelaide Cup, Melbourne Cup, Oakbank, Irish Race Day etc) planning my outfit down to the smallest detail, deciding on which marquee to attend, who to go along with, and how I'll be spending my day. And I always have a brilliant time.

This year, the Adelaide Casino have taken things to another level, with a new position being created - the highly anticipated inaugural Face of Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup (gosh that's a mouthful).

David Christian (MD of Adelaide Casino), Liza Emanuele (fashion designer) and myself will be sitting down tomorrow to go through the potential 'Face' video entries and will spend 2-3 hours deciding on who is the best candidate for the esteemed role. Where was this ten years ago when I would have been the perfect candidate? Oh well, at least I'm part of the process.

Whoever is chosen after tomorrow's judging panel will transform into the glamorous go-to-girl for up-to-the-minute accounts of what’s happening and who’s hot around Adelaide, as well as trackside at Adelaide’s premier race day.

The actual announcement of the winner will happen this Friday (17 Feb) when the Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup trophy arrives via horse back at Adelaide Casino.








Then, once my role as judge has come to an end, I can focus on the important things ahead of me. Like deciding what to wear to this year's Cup.