By BRIDGET SCOTT
FASHIONABLE fillies frocked up and made their way to the Cranbourne Racecourse last Sunday — not to watch the horses run though.
Around 20 ladies trotted along the runway on Sunday 11 October for the annual fashions on the field event.
The title of Young Lady of the Day and Mature Lady of the Day were up for grabs.
Narre Warren’s Tea Blagojevic was over the moon to win the Young Lady of the Day category with her pant suit inspired by George Clooney’s new wife.
“If George Clooney’s wife can wear it, then so can I,” she said.
Despite her youth, Ms Blagojevic is no stranger to the catwalk and said she’s been part of these competitions before.
“I’ve placed third in the Cranbourne Cup one year, but this is the first time I’ve won,” she said.
Her Ted Baker-designed pant suit was a hit with the judges, who said they were looking for people to “keep it along etiquette lines suitable for the races.”
Judge Claire O’Brien, who wore a Review outfit, said she was “loving the look of prints, colours and classic lengths”.
Runner-up Young Lady of the Day Ashleigh Barrie designed her own dress, and said she started with a heap of fabric last December.
The contestant from Kew said her designs take a long time to come together.
Ms Barrie described the fashion on the field events as her hobby.
“Once you start competing, you can never stop,” she said.
Following this, the older women stepped on to the stage for Lady of the Day. It was a bitter sweet result for the winner and runner- up, both of whom were friends and met through fashions on the field competitions.
Rosalyn Czermak, from Bentleigh, who took out first prize got her outfit online.
Ms Czermak said this wasn’t her first time on the fields and said she “always has fun”.
“I love the country races,” she said.
“It’s one of my favourite events.”
She said it was her first time being crowned winner, but she had placed in the Pakenham fashions on the fields before.
Runner-up Jenny Beard, from Langwarrin South, said she met Ms Czermak through these events.
“You might come by yourself but always end up spending the day with a great group of friends,” she said.
Ms Beard desgined her own dress and said it was a rush to finish it in time.
“I actually put the buttons and button holes on this morning,” she said.
