For Champions Day, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing has got a stellar judging panel lined up featuring racing fashion royalty from both sides of the Tasman – including Australian judge, Viera Macikova who’s returning to Ellerslie for the second time.
Since her first fashion competition in Goulburn in 2015, Viera has won a number of FITF sashes, her most prominent win being named the National Winner of Victoria Racing Club’s 2021 Fashions On Your Front Lawn.
Tell us about your experience competing in Fashions in the Field competitions?
My first Fashions in the Field experience was in Goulburn, a country race town in NSW, where I was with a group of racing friends celebrating a birthday – I was spotted and was asked to enter the competition. While I didn’t place, I really enjoyed the process and the experience, and I started entering from then. My serious interest kicked in after my first win at Golden Slipper in 2017, and I caught the FITF bug which has taken me to many amazing race tracks across Australia and overseas.
You’ve judged fashion competitions across Australasia, what instantly catches your eye when someone steps onto the judging stage?
Presence on the stage and a well-fitted outfit are the key for me. A smile goes a long way and being comfortable in what you are wearing shows, too.
What separates true race-day style from everyday event dressing?
Beautiful millinery is probably the biggest differentiator, but it’s also the dress style. While the lines have blurred in recent years and we have seen a few evening wear outfits at the races, racewear should be suited to a day at the track. If fabric is dragging on the ground, it may not be suitable for the races.
For someone entering Fashions in the Field for the first time, what are the absolute dos and don’ts?
An absolute do – have fun! The races are such a fun and social place and sometimes I see people whose day has been ruined as they didn’t place. Enjoy the day, the majestic horses, the hospitality of the club, the beautiful fashion and the lovely racing fashion community.
I like to keep an open mind when it comes to fashion so I don’t have many don’ts. But for me, buying and wearing a full outfit that was styled by someone else is not in the spirit of the competition. Fashion should be about expressing yourself, showing your personality and inspiring others. Wearing someone else’s outfit doesn’t do that.
What are some of the latest trends you’re keeping your eye on?
We have been seeing a lot of brown shades in the shops and on runways, and pillboxes have been very popular in racewear and by fashion influencers around the globe. As the racing fashion community picks up trends very early on, we’ve been embracing these for a while now. I think bold colours will make a comeback despite – or in spite of – the cloud dancer Pantone colour of the year.
How important is originality in today’s competitions, and how do you balance trend-led looks with timeless elegance?
To me it’s all about the entirety of the outfit. It can be an outfit that is very on trend or an outfit that is more traditional; if the look is cohesive it shows. But I do admit that seeing something new and original gets me very excited.
What’s your advice for creating a standout look on a budget?
I love this topic especially because, like many people, I too had to get creative and adjust my budget. The good news is, it’s actually quite easy. As I browse for ideas online, I add a lot of outfits to my favourites and then wait for them to go on sale. In addition, before I click buy, I always search for a discount code – you’d be surprised how often I get an extra 15% off!
Buying secondhand is another great option which is also kinder to the planet. Op shops, consignment stores, Facebook buy/swap pages are fantastic to grab a bargain and be sustainable. Just please don’t buy a fully styled outfit. Have a play, change up the accessories and have fun with it. Fashion is meant to be an expression of one’s personality, so bringing that personal touch to the outfit is very important.
What role do accessories play in a winning race-day outfit?
Accessories are almost as important as the dress or a suit, if not more important. They will elevate any outfit and take it from good to great. A hat needs to balance out the shape of the dress or a suit. Jewellery is equally as important. I have recently spent a long time looking for oversized pearl earrings and I ended up making them myself as I couldn’t find what I was after.
How much does personal confidence influence your judging?
Confidence is what makes you noticed on the stage. Of course, doing the catwalk can be a little daunting for many; after all, we’re not all models. However, a great outfit can make you stand taller and give you the confidence to face the stage and showcase your style.
Finally, what makes racewear fashion so special to you personally?
I see racing fashion as my creative outlet. I have a corporate job in banking, which can be a little dry, and planning an outfit for a race day brings me joy and excitement. There are not many places these days where you can wear a hat and I think that is one the reasons why many people love dressing up for the races and bringing their best style year after a year.
The national fashions in the field final,The Ned Prix de Fashion, will take place once again at Champions Day on March 7.
