This will be the 11th year the Steve Haywood Master Jeweller Fashion in the Field competition has been held at the Ruakaka races. Traditionally held in September, the Club took the opportunity to move the fashion to our new race date in December, and take advantage of the warmer weather, and the large corporate crowd expected to be in attendance.
There are great prize packages in the Mallet's Women's 40 years and over, Vivo Hair Women's Under 40 years, and the Activ8 categories. Entry to the fashion competition is free and can be lodged up until 1.30pm on the day.
The Supreme Award winner, selected from the winners of the three categories, not only takes home a fabulous $1,500 prize voucher from Steve Haywood Master Jeweller, but also gains entry to the national final of the "Viva Prix de Fashion" at Ellerslie race course in March 2018.
Last year's Supreme winner of the Steve Haywood Fashions in the Field event at Ruakaka, Hannah Carson, went on to win the Ellerslie event. As part of her $20,000 prize package she is now heading to Melbourne to represent NZ and compete in the fashion in the field at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
We asked Hannah about her experience at Ruakaka, and she said although she felt out of her comfort zone competing in a fashion event for the first time, she highly recommends people just "go for it". She is enjoying using her creativity to come up with her outfits, and is also loving learning about horse racing - something she had not previously been involved in. And as for her outfit for Melbourne - it's top secret and still in progress with her hat being created by a milliner in Melbourne, and a dress she purchased on-line currently being altered. We wish Hannah all the best at the Melbourne Cup!