A 3D printer and a Spotlight fabric store in Frankston were crucial stops on Holly Keenan and Jenny Beard’s journey to winning the Fashions on the Field finals on Oaks Day and sharing in a $300,000 prize pool.
Best Dressed winner, mining engineer Holly Keenan from Perth, printed out 517 pieces of acrylic to create an art deco masterpiece.
Fashions on the Field: Best Suited winner Jenny Beard and Best Dressed winner Holly Kennan.Credit: Justin McManus
“It’s a bit heavy, but the corset helps,” Keenan says. This is her ninth time entering the competition and her first win. Now there’s the challenge of taking the dress home.
“My engineering skills help with the packing.”
Loading
Grandmother of 11, Jenny Beard from Langwarrin South, is also a regular entrant. Fashioning a suit with fabric from Spotlight and crafting her own millinery.
“What I love about this competition is that nothing is off limits. I’ve made the top 10 a few times, but this is epic.”
This year Fashions on the Field returned to the front lawn at Flemington Racecourse, having been banished to behind the grandstands.
“Entries are up by 30 per cent and we have had a record number of last-minute entrants from fashionistas,” says Kylie Rogers, Victoria Racing Club chief executive. “People are getting involved in racewear and that’s fantastic.”