Months of preparation, hours upon hours spent trawling the internet for outfit inspo and the perfect accessories, online shopping, consults with milliners, weekly trips to shopping malls, DIY tasks, sewing, finding hair and makeup artist’s, sleepless nights trying to piece it all together in preparation for what is almost every race enthusiasts favourite time of year; Spring Carnival.

I have attended Spring Carnival in Melbourne for the last 6 years and I LOVE it. It’s what I look forward to every year, the highlight of my racing calendar.

I love vibrant spring fashion and the platform to showcase your outfits at what is the ultimate FOTF competition- the Myer National FOTF Finals.

Here, all the state finalists from throughout the year, gather on Oaks Day, to (hopefully) be crowned the national winner (and take home the Lexus). It’s also everyone’s last chance to get in on the action and become the Victorian State Finalist.

Here is a little overview of my week in Melbourne and how my outfits came together.

Getting to Melbourne

On Friday November the 3rd, I set off to Melbourne with 3 suitcases, a hat box and a garment bag in tow. No easy feat when you are travelling alone. The suitcases fell off my trolley three times, but I got there in the end.

For those of you wondering how to transport all of your hats (for me, usually three or more), try stashing two hats into one hat box (if it’ll fit) and making that your carry on luggage. An extra lightweight, hard cover suitcase should hold another hat box and a loose hat.

You might run into trouble with the whole one-gal-too-many-suitcases-not-enough-arms situation though. Also, be sure to check how many suitcases one person is allowed to take.

The Park

The Park was created two years ago and hosts the Fashions on the Field enclosure, a band enclosure, some food stalls and rides- almost like a mini carnival.

There are some beautiful locations to have photos taken and the Pony Bar is fun to gather in afterwards for drinks and catchups.

Derby Day

The first event for Spring Carnival week is Derby Day, held on Saturday the 4th of November.

I had been planning my Derby Day outfit for a few weeks after finding some striped fabric at Spotlight for $2.50 a metre!! Bloody bargain. I purchased an unnecessary 10 meters… whoops haha.

I drew up a quick sketch of what I wanted and booked in with Gwenda, (my old TAFE teacher) from Sew N Design.

I did study fashion design myself, but must have been off with the fairies for the best part of two years as I’m a terrible sewer and can’t pattern make. *face palm- oh how much easier my life would be had I learnt.

Together, over the course of two days, we made patterns and sewed the skirt together. I decided to add tulle to my skirt as I’m really into that trend this year, and liked the way it made the flounces in my skirt stand out.

I got my friend Andrew Semple to make the bodice, but as we were doing a last-minute fudge job, we couldn’t be bothered putting in any boning. Instead, I decided to sew it to an old corset I had. It actually worked out really well and we were pleasantly surprised.

The Hat Dilemma

Months earlier I had contacted Davin Lynch, a milliner in the UK, to make me a hat for Derby Day. I didn’t know what my outfit was yet, but loved her style and wanted a piece from her. Once I had the idea for my outfit planned I wasn’t sure if it would all go together, but stuck with it anyway.

It arrived the week before I flew to Melbourne, and although it was amazing, it just wasn’t right for my outfit. I’m saving it for a special race next year instead.

So, this left me with 3 days to find another hat.

I asked around on Facebook and checked on Millinery Market. I was eyeing off one hat I found for hire and was super lucky it happened to be nearby-ish. Postage time allowance meant I wouldn’t receive it in time. I had to collect it myself.

I used Pic Collage to see how it would suit. I liked it!!

A quick 3-hour round trip made at 11 o’clock at night, the day before I set off, resulted in this stunning Allport Millinery piece from Emma. Thank you!

I tried it on the next day and couldn’t believe my luck!! A perfect match.

My new hat inspired me to make some matching straps. I cut up an old leather belt to match the leather in my headpiece and made two more off-shoulder arm straps out of the striped fabric.

Success. I really loved the way my outfit had turned out.

Hair Files

I always book in for my hair styles with the FA-BU-LOUS Rozi from @hairby.rozi . I cannot recommend her enough!!!

I have used her two years in a row now and she delivers the most epic hair do’s ever! She can visualise what will suit your outfit and millinery. Even with short hair like mine, she can create some serious volume without drenching it in hair spray- which is a big thing for me.

This year Belinda (my go-to milliner from Peacock Millinery) and fellow entrants Brooke and Stef were all staying in a house right next to the racecourse.

They had all booked in with Rozi too. We figured it would be easier for me to meet them at the house and we’d all get our hair done together in the morning.

It would be rude not to show you the master pieces Rozi created…

Derby Day was cold (as usual in Melbourne) but I had a super fun day catching up with race friends from all across Australia and meeting new ladies who I’ve been speaking to in the Field Fashion Community.

I didn’t make it past the heats in Fashions, but I had tickets to the Nursery, so I retreated there to drink Mojitos and enjoy the day with my friends. I even went on a helicopter ride!!

Field Fashion Meet Up & Dior Exhibition

I couldn’t possibly go to Melbourne and not check out the Dior exhibition. I think just about everyone who attended Spring Carnival did too.

The exhibition centre was packed, but so worth seeing!! I took so many photos of the beautiful couture gowns by Dior and Stephen Jones millinery.

That night we had the Field Fashion Community Meet Up. This is the third time we have had a meet up since starting the Field Fashion Community Facebook Group.

It was held at Mesa Verde, a bar in the city on Swanston St. I was able to reserve some tables and it was the perfect venue for casual drinks, not too busy or loud.

About 25 ladies (and some partners) turned up. Many of them didn’t know anyone, so it was great to meet new friends and members of the community. I’d love to have more meet ups throughout the year. Anyone else keen?

A few of us had dinner afterwards at the Thai restaurant ‘Cookie’ downstairs. It was the best Thai I’ve ever had!!

Melbourne Cup

My tulle ombre dress by Andrew Semple, that I wore for the NSW state FOTF Final in October, was what I originally planned to wear on Melbourne Cup Day.

I came second in it but couldn’t resist wearing it again as I loved it so much!!

To give it a fresh look, I changed my millinery, belt, shoes, earrings and bag and added some red tulle to the top of the dress.

Belinda squeezed me into her hectic schedule, to make me a new last-minute hat. She had the idea of a tulle boater.

I put my own millinery skills to use, making a makeshift hat out of tulle and an old coat hanger, just to get an idea of it all together. Sometimes I have trouble visualising things, so this helps me to see the whole picture.

Belinda made me the same flower rose from the original millinery I wore in the NSW state final, but this time in a very large version which I LOVED.

Here are the two looks side by side. Which one do you prefer?

Once again Rozi worked her magic and came up with these stunning hair dos.

I managed to make the preliminary final. I was so stoked about it, as it was a real accomplishment this Spring Carnival with so many stunning outfits.

In the video above I’m backstage after the heats. When you make it past the heats you head out the back and sit out there drinking Champagne till it’s the preliminary finals.

The day was FREEZING.

Luckily, the afternoon brought some sun and we spent the day in The Pony Bar with the Fashions ladies and had a blast. Wendell gave up on photographing us when we starting looking too sloppy! Ha ha.

Oaks Day

For Oaks Day, I was planning to wear my white leather and lace dress that I wore two years ago to Derby Day with my hat from the UK. Once in Melbourne, I changed my outfit last minute, as I thought colour would better suit the day.

Luckily, I had brought an ASOS dress I got on sale for $100 and my Navy Swirl Peacock Millinery piece with me. And some gold shoes and clutch (you can never be too prepared with back-up outfits). Always pack options ladies!!

The last of Rozi’s creations…

I didn’t make the heats that day either, but a lot of my favourite picks didn’t too. You never know what the judges are looking for.

Oaks Day is the National Final for FOTF as well as hosting the Millinery competition.

The lovely Crystal Kimber took home the National Title and a shiny new red Lexus. Sarah Schofield, who has also been a National FOTF Winner in the past, was awarded the Millinery Award. Huge congratulations to you both!

‘People, Style, Place’ Photo Shoot with Wendell

My last event for the week was a photo shoot I had planned with Wendell in the weeks leading up to Spring Carnival. He has a personal style project called ‘People Style Place’ where he shoots ladies in outfits they’ve styled themselves.

@Vanidayaustralia had organised the lovely Kerri from @kerrigravinasalon and Love @lovehawkridge makeup artist to get me ready for my shoot. The ladies were so lovely and gave me an epic up do with flawless makeup.

Wendell, his assistant Sarah, and I shot at a few locations around Melbourne City. We started the shoot at 12pm and didn’t finish until 8pm! A solid effort on everyone’s part.

I can’t wait to see the photos. Even though I’m a terrible poser, Wendell always manages to make me look (somewhat) like a model. Thanks Wendell!!

And that, is my Spring Carnival adventure 😀.

Who else attended Spring Carnival this year? What was your favourite part? Any stories to share? Let us know in the comments below.