The Melbourne Cup trophy has visited model Georgina Burke in New York, to celebrate the fact Fashions on the Field is again going global.

Fashions on the Field goes global with record prize pool

More than $370,000 in prizes will be shared among those deemed Best Dressed, Best Suited and more at the Melbourne Cup Carnival – and it’s easier than ever for people worldwide to enter.

Written by Samantha Landy for Herald Sun Saturday 24 August 2024. 27 August 2024

The Melbourne Cup Carnival’s prestigious Fashions on the Field will offer a record prize pool of more than $370,000 this year, making it the nation’s richest fashion competition.

The Best Dressed, Best Suited and Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award categories are now open to Australian and international entrants online, as the content goes global for the second year running.

To mark the announcement, the Victoria Racing Club took the most prized trophy in Australian racing to New York to visit international model Georgina Burke.

“What an experience to have the Lexus Melbourne Cup travel all the way from Australia to land here in the middle of New York City,” she said.

“My fashions predictions for this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival are lots of bold, bright colour, big hats, big handbags and shoes to match. I love to stay true to the renowned elegance of racing fashion and follow traditions and etiquette.”

Online entrants are required to upload photos showcasing their favourite race-wear look to the VRC website by October 4.

Racegoers who attend Derby, Melbourne Cup and Oaks Days at Flemington can enter the Best Dressed and Suited comps at a registration site in the general admission Park precinct, too.

The prize pool for these categories is $111,000, with the overall winners set to take home $20,000 of that each. They will be announced on Oaks Day, on November 7.

The Millinery Award winner will be revealed on Melbourne Cup Day on November 5 and score $37,500 worth of prizes, including $5000 in cash and an editorial in Vogue Australia.

A fourth category – the Emerging Designer Award – is also accepting Australian entrants online. The winner, to be announced on Derby Day on November 2, will take home a $48,000 prize pack comprising a visit to Vogue Japan.

Model Georgina Burke in New York, with the Melbourne Cup Trophy.

VRC chairman Neil Wilson said the expanded competition and increased value of prizes served to elevate the importance of Fashions on the Field.

“Fashion is synonymous with the Melbourne Cup Carnival; it is what makes us unique in terms of major events,” he said.

“We are delighted to welcome international participation for the second year, and to present the Fashions on the Field competition to an increasing audience at Flemington and though our digital and social channels.”