This week we’re interviewing our 2014 national winner, Bodie Worrell, and hearing about her life both on and off the track!

If you missed the interview with our 2016 national winner Courtney Moore, I recommend going back and reading that post first to really appreciate the significance of being crowned the national winner.

You can also read the interview with our 2015 national winner Emily Hunter.

Brodie Worrell | National Winner 2014

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Fashion Related Questions

How long have you been entering FOTF? Number of events per year?

My first competition was when I was 17 at Melbourne Racing Club. I don’t think I even made the final but my best friend won which was so exciting.

I then started entering more often at country meets. My first win was at Albury & then following that I won at Caulfield.

It was my second time to Flemington when I won on Derby day! I stopped entering after I won the National competition but recently entered in Sydney. I didn’t realise how much I had missed entering until then.

Describe your winning outfit and where you got the idea/inspiration?

Audrey Hepburn was my inspiration behind my winning look. She’s such a timeless style icon. I wanted something elegant that also was on trend.

The dress I wore was Maticeveski. It had actually sold out which I was so devastated about. I went to Myer with my mum anyway to have a look the week before Derby Day and it’s like it was meant to be because a girl returned the exact dress in my size as I was there!

I took it down to Felicity Northeast and let her work her magic! She made my millinery so quickly for me, a milliner’s nightmare. I was lucky she agreed not to sleep that week for me!

Image credit: @felicitynortheastmillinery

What was it like winning the national final? Recreate the moment for us.

So surreal, I still find it hard to believe. You hear of people winning these type of competitions but never actually think it could be you.

I had a super relaxed morning that day. I did my own hair and makeup at home, had coffee and then headed to Flemington with some friends and family. I had a few champagnes and enjoyed the morning.

I wasn’t too worked up over it, to be honest I don’t think I even touched up my lipstick before the final. I thought I would be on and off in a second. I never dreamt of becoming the Victorian representative. I really did not think I had any chance especially being in black and white.

I remember biting my teeth together when I smiled because I was shaking so much, I was so nervous up there. It is so overwhelming being on that stage in front of so many people and so many cameras. The crowd was huge!

But I really enjoyed the whole experience as crazy as it was. It was one of the best days of my life and a day I will never forget. I was so lucky the state finalists were amazing that year, in particular my friend Nikki from WA she looked stunning, it could have been any of us. I was just so lucky!

Has your life changed in any way since taking out the winning sash?

I think for the year after it was really exciting with the work I did for Myer & the VRC. Judging on Oaks day is an experience I will never forget I can not explain how much I loved that day!

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What do you like most about FOTF?

It sounds so cheesy but actually the friendships I have made.

Who are your favourite milliners and racewear brands/stores?

Felicity Northeast who made my millinery for the winning look. Felicity’s quality is second to none. Her millinery is all perfect. She is also great at making millinery to match outfits. She knows exactly what shapes and fabrics will work.

I think lady of leisure has some amazing new pieces in her latest collection. Lisa has an eye for what’s on trend & I love her crowns and headbands for more relaxed race meets. Or if you’re like me just for the weekends.

Angela Menz has some great, fun millinery and stunning outfits. Christie Millinery (did you see that vogue piece on the runway show!) Carla Murley is one to keep your eyes on I am loving her style, Rebecca Share, Millinery Jill I mean we have some talented milliners here in Australia.

What advice would you give to other race goers (myself included!) who dream of one day becoming the national winner?

Enjoy yourself, stay true to your own style, and don’t take it too seriously. Obviously it is such an amazing title and the prizes are crazy good but I think it is important to enter for fun.

Away from the Track

Where do you currently live? What do you like most about the city/town?

Bronte NSW, I love the coast. Going for a swim every morning is a hard thing to beat but I will always be a Melbourne girl at heart.

Where do you work? Why did you choose that profession?

The Lofft fashion agency & Free people. I work in Brand management. I think after owning my own store it was a profession that made most sense. I have always worked with designer labels & I am loving my current jobs.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Being an aunty to four nephews & two nieces. It is the best thing, ever!

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I love eating & traveling… Love spending weekends down on the beach or when in Melbourne down on the peninsula at winery’s.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your FB profile?

I make a mean margarita. I love cooking.

If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?

I’m actually not very attached to anything…
5 things is so hard, I guess my passport, a ring that’s been in the family a long time, chilli & salt. I carry chilli in my handbag, I can’t live without chilli… but that is about it.

Which would be harder for you to give up: coffee or alcohol?

This is a CRAZY question. I live with an angel who sets his alarm 15 mins before mine to make me a coffee in the morning because I can not talk before hand. Anyone that knows me knows how much I love wine… I feel like this is a very emotional question that’s making me want an espresso martini asap! (Can not actually answer this).

national winnner 2014

If you could witness any event of the past, present, or future, what would it be?

I would say the moment I won the national title but Angela Menz has a pretty funny video of that already! haha!

I would choose the 2nd time I saw Beyoncé in concert and I scored some crappy seats off gum tree that were so far to the side of the stage you couldn’t really see the front. But Beyoncé popped up before she started wearing her robe and waved at me, yes it was directly at me and not any other fan despite what anyone else says! Or the moment she flew across the stage to survivor, I do replay that moment in my mind through tough times.

What is your most bizarre talent?

I dance like Mr.G.

What type of music do you listen to? (Genre, artists, songs?)

Just Beyoncé, all albums on repeat since 1997 Destiny’s Child days. My boyfriend is a musician though and plays piano, he is my favourite artist and I love watching him preform.

Tell me about the best vacation you’ve ever taken.

New York was incredible! I recently spent a month there and swear I could write a book on where to drink cocktails on rooftops… I also love Sri-Lanka – my mum is Sri-Lankan so I’ve been lucky enough to grow up on that delicious food! I also lived in Portugal for a year when I finished high school.

I love Italy, Greece, Croatia, so many great places in Asia. I could honestly move to Bangkok forever and be happy. But I must say Tulum is my current favourite!

I travel whenever I can so have been lucky enough to see some amazing places in the world but Mexico is on the top of the list. I loved the people, the culture, the food, the margarita’s, the beaches, cenotes, I mean I could go on forever about Tulum it is paradise.

 

I hope you enjoyed hearing about Brodie’s story, both on and off the track. Here’s that link again to the previous interviews with Courtney Moore and Emily Hunter. You can also see all of our past national winners in this post.

If you enjoy talking about racing fashion and meeting new race friends, come join our 2,000+ members in the Field Fashion Community Facebook Group!

 

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