Fashion stakes high

FASHION played a large role in festivities at yesterday’s Bendigo Cup with more than 100 women and a few men putting their hand up to be crowned best dressed.Some of Victoria’s most glamorous fashionistas gathered under blue skies for the annual Fashions on the Field – and the stakes were high with the men and woman vying for a slice of $15,000 worth of prizes.It was all about the dress this year with elegant nude tones paired up against bright spring racing colour.Classic black and white ensembles were also a favourite with structured headwear completing the well-put-together outfits.Winner of the most coveted prize, Myer Lady of the Day, Chantelle Johnson was a true show-stopper in a structured black and white piece with a spot of red.She impressed the judges when she announced that her outfit, from the hat and dress down to the flower detailing on the bag, was handcrafted by her mother.“It’s definitely original, you know no one is going to have the same look as you up on stage,’’ Ms Johnson said.The 23-year-old from Sydney won a holiday for two to Hawaii.Second place was taken out by Ania Ligas with Jacqueline Russo third.Handcrafted pieces proved to be the standout yesterday with the winner of the AMCAL Best Headpiece also designing her own creation.Geelong girl Rebecca Nelson said entering Fashions on the Field events was becoming a hobby of hers, saying the most exciting part was putting together her own outfits.“The fact that I made it I think makes it all the more special,’’ she said.Myer racing ambassador and former Miss Universe Australia Laura Dundovic looked stunning in a black and white Basque dress and jacket, RMK shoes and a Gregory Ladner headpiece.It was her second time in Bendigo and her first time judging Fashions on the Field.“I love Bendigo, everyone is so friendly and there’s that great community atmosphere,’’ she said.“Today the standard of fashion has been very high. We found it quite hard to pick the winner.’’Aaron O’Meara from Gladstone Park took home the men’s prize with his tailored suit and trilby, while Bendigo’s very own Kaitlin Christian was crowned BMW Local Lady of the Day in a stunning outfit all the way from Paris.whitneyh@bendigoadvertiser.com.au