Boxing Day races: Winner lines up for fashion race again this year

Sian Roosenbrand in the outfit that won last year. Photo / Sarah Ivey

She took home the crown last year, and Sian Roosenbrand will be back to compete in this year's premium fashion event on the racing calendar, where horses will not be the only talent to strut their stuff.

Entries are still open for stylish humans to compete in five different categories of Fashion in the Field event at Ellerslie racecourse on Boxing Day - with a $3000 prize in each group up for grabs.

Ms Roosenbrand, an online development specialist for Air New Zealand, won the Viva Supreme Award a day before her 30th birthday.

"It was an awesome present.

"I didn't think I had made it through to the semifinal of my category as the competition was really strong and there were so many great contenders.

"When I saw the judges deliberating out of the corner of my eye they were looking at other participants and I thought I had missed my chance."

The Campbells Bay resident donned a blue and purple floral dress from Coast London, paired with pale blue vintage gloves from Tango, a matching clutch from Australian brand Olga Berg and shoes from Witchery.

She used Mac makeup - which she applied herself - and her pale blue hat was designed by Spanish milliner Biliana Borissova.

"[Winning] topped off what was an absolutely fantastic day celebrating my 30th with 20 friends and family," Ms Roosenbrand said.

She said it was a fun day at the races anyway, "so winning was really the icing on the cake".

Ms Roosenbrand said she recommended the experience to others and would be doing it again herself this year, though she had no expectations.

This year's Fashion in the Field head judge, Lulu Wilcox, said she would be looking for complete coordination of the outfit for both the male and female categories.

Ms Wilcox, New Idea magazine's fashion editor, said she would take into account all the ingredients that could contribute to the perfect, polished look - from nail colour, to grooming and headwear.

"With racewear fashion I believe understanding the current fashion trends is very important, but also originality needs to be considered," she said.

"That could be through the silhouette or colour palate to the accessories used.

"Grace, deportment and attention to detail will polish any outfit and can often be the decider on the day."

The fashion categories are under 25, Natalie Chan Millinery, Canvas Ladies Racewear, Specsavers Ascot Lady (for women over 45), and Sharp Menswear.

Besides taking home a prize from their category, the Nicolas Feuillatte Supreme Award winner will win all category prizes and gain automatic entry into Viva Prix de Fashion on TV3 Derby Day in March.

Fashion in the Field

When: Boxing Day,
3 days to go
Where: Ellerslie Racecourse
To enter: visit: www.ellerslie.co.nz
Categories:
Ellerslie Under 25 - An Ellerslie function package to the value of $3000.
Natalie Chan Millinery - Styling session with Natalie Chan.
Canvas Ladies Racewear - Night at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour's Prestige Suite including breakfast for two, dinner for two and a massage for two.
Specsavers Ascot Lady (over 45 years) - Glasses from Specsavers.
Sharp Menswear - Sharp 52-inch TV.
The Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Supreme Award Winner - All of the above, plus a trip for two from Auckland to Queenstown with two nights' accommodation at Millbrook Resort, a spa treatment, a VIP shopping experience with Trelise Cooper's personal style consultant and a Trelise Cooper $500 gift voucher.

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