Fashion in the Field is sponsored by two local Tauranga businesses, High Street Boutique and Molloy's Menswear. The judges are Bernadette Rowlands, owner of High Street Boutique, and Natalie Bridges, director of Blink PR and former editor of Simply You and Simply Living magazines.
Proceeds will support Tauranga St John Ambulance, Tauranga SPCA and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. They will be joined by indulge editor Annemarie Quill.
One of the organisers, Maree Brookes, a Tauranga SPCA board member, said a group of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Tauranga Te Papa had a brainstorming session, wanting to organised a fun event for charity. Fellow organiser Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell said, "We were looking at ideas for an annual charity fundraiser, something that could potentially fill the gap left by the closure of the CIB Charity Auction. We are planning to develop this into an annual Melbourne Cup Day charity fundraiser."
Ms Brookes said they lit upon doing something around the Melbourne Cup as there had been discussion about how it would be good to have a regular event in Tauranga.
Ms Brookes said she loved the atmosphere and the build-up to the big race.
She said guests could expect a fun-filled afternoon with great entertainment, full of laughs, great food and great company.
The benefiting charities were selected by the club members and had to fit the criteria of being local, although governed by national bodies, and money raised had to benefit Tauranga branches only, said Ms Rudduck Gudsell. Blair Cashmore will lead the bidding on the live auction, with all proceeds going to the selected charities. "There is also plenty on offer with great items donated for the cause.
"It's your chance to dress up as if going to the races, with prizes to be won for Fashion in the Field and Best Fascinator of the Day - and a great opportunity to participate in all aspects of the race without having to fly to Melbourne.
"Guests will be able to buy horses, place bets and hopefully win some money with 80 per cent pay-out to the winners and 20 per cent going to the charities."
I'll be looking at the wearer wearing the clothes, not the clothes dominating the wearer. Any real statement using fashion is led by the wearer
Judge Bernadette Rowlands will be looking at the "complete package" when choosing winners of Fashion in the Field. "I'll be looking at style and pulling off the outfit - not just the clothes, but the posture, the smile, the complete package."
Rowlands shared her top tips for stunning race day fashion.
"Only wear it if you feel comfortable - if you are walking out of the house and are pulling the skirt down due to it being short, don't wear it. Ensure everything is clean, not just the dress but your nails and shoes, everything.
"Smile - nothing beats a smile."
And her advice for the day: "Don't get drunk, the stories that come out of Melbourne are crazy. So much time and effort goes into the day, then they ruin it.
"Take a bet as though you know what you are doing. Go by the lovely colours, the great name.
For Natalie Bridges, the way a person pulls off the clothes is key.
"I'll be looking at the wearer wearing the clothes, not the clothes dominating the wearer. Any real statement using fashion is led by the wearer.
It's sure to be a fun event.
"Sartorial flair and style comes from the presence, posture and confidence of the person who uses clothes to express themselves. I love to see people's personalities accentuated by what they wear and I am sure this will come across on race day, which provides a rare opportunity to really enjoy and celebrate fashion."
To ensure the perfect race day look, Bridges recommends men and women enjoy themselves with their fashion.
"It's a chance to really get dressed up, express yourself through your clothes and make a sartorial statement. So often people don't feel comfortable dressing up, but race day gives you a golden pass to wear whatever you want as long as it's dressy."
As long as outfits are dressy and formal to honour the occasion, Bridges believed "anything goes".
"A hair piece, fascinator or a hat have always been a must for women - but the definition of these is always evolving. Creativity, good posture and confidence are musts to pull off your race day outfit with flair."
Bridges said it was "awesome" to be involved in the first of what would become a regular event. "The charities to benefit are such worthwhile causes: St John Ambulance, Prostate Cancer Research and Tauranga SPCA. What better way to get your glad rags on and spend an afternoon to raise money.
"It's sure to be a fun event."
Tickets are available by emailing jockmcintyre@vodafone.co.nz
