Raceday fashion competitor becomes judge

Claire Hahn will bring her fashion sense to the judges' table. Photo / Brett Phibbs

She won the event in 2006 and is a seasoned raceday fashion competitor, so organisers of today's Fashion in the Field at the annual Boxing Day races at Ellerslie asked Claire Hahn to try her hand at judging.

The 28-year-old, who lives with her partner Greg and 2-year-old son in Takapuna, also works in the fashion industry.

She runs the Designer Trader - a company which sells pre-loved designer garments and excess stock from retailers and designers. She also has an online fashion blog.

Ms Hahn, a self-confessed "show pony", won the first raceday competition she entered - the 2006 Deutz Fashion in the Field at Ellerslie.

An off-the-rack maxi dress from Newmarket's Drop Dead Gorgeous and a custom-made Kevin Berkhan fascinator saw her scoring the top place in the under-25 section and the supreme award. For this year's event at the New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival, where she will be "sitting on the other side of the table", Ms Hahn will don a strapless cream, vintage dress with a crinoline petticoat underneath and an organza fabric wrap over the top.

She'll also have a beret-style hat and a Stella McCartney clutch.

"As a judge you've got to push the boundaries a wee bit," Ms Hahn said.

"I think people will love or hate it but it's better to be looked over than over-looked."

Ms Hahn also competed in the final of the 2008 Mercedes Prix de Fashion, the New Zealand final for raceday fashion, and won the event this year.

As part of her prize she attended the Melbourne Racing Spring Carnival where she was a top 10 finalist in both the Melbourne Cup and Crown Oaks day competitions at Flemington.

Her biggest piece of advice for entrants nervous about facing the panel of three judges this year is to avoid getting carried away with the champagne. "It doesn't look good being drunk on the catwalk."

* Claire's tips

Claire Hahn has this advice for Fashion in the Field entrants

You don't need to be a model to enter. Just be confident, comfortable, have a big smile and enjoy the day.

Wear a wrap. It's always really hot on the day and sunburnt shoulders are not a good look.

Make sure your shoes are broken in. There's nothing worse than women, after a few glasses of champagne, leaving the track with heels and hat in hand. You must walk out as you came in.

* The big race

The New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival starts today at Ellerslie

Gates open at 10.30am

First race at 12.55pm

1pm Viva Fashions in the Field begins (winners announced 4.55pm)

The big race, Group I $200,000 Zabeel Classic, is at 6.12pm