Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award: Submission Guide

To be eligible to enter the 2025 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, designers must fulfil and agree to abide by the criteria specified in the Competition Terms and Conditions, which includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Entrants and their models (if applicable) must be 18 years of age or more as at the day of final judging, Tuesday 4 November 2025.
• Accompanying outfit is not permitted to promote commercially a brand, store or designer.
• Must not receive any compensation from a third party for participating in this competition.
• Must not be 2024 winner of the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award.
• Must not enter the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field Best Dressed or Best Suited competitions
• Must not be a current or previous employee or representative of the promoter (including model if applicable)
• Physical attendance will be required for the successful finalists
• Any item of clothing, headwear or accessory that appears in the Emerging Designer Award is not permitted in the Millinery Award.
• Entrants are not permitted to alter or add to their design in any way from the beginning until the end of the competition.
• Unless stated otherwise, all prizes awarded to the entrant must remain the property of the entrant and are not transferable, exchangeable, or redeemable for cash.

Designer will be judged based on the following criteria

• Creative design and fashion innovation
• Originality and unique style
• Excellence in manufacturing and technique
• Appropriateness of the design for the occasion.

The Victoria Racing Club supports and encourages sustainability in the sourcing, manufacturing and design process and the minimisation of their impact on the environment.

No, you do not need to be a resident of Australia to enter the competition.

By entering the competition, the entrant acknowledges the Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Each Entrant submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts exercising jurisdiction there in connection with matters concerning these Terms and waives any rights to claim that those courts are an inconvenient forum.

The opportunity to describe the outfit in mind to match the vision is optional. This is seen as an opportunity to further describe the milliner’s vision for how the piece is to be worn, but it’s not mandatory.

After the judging, images may be used on official VRC media channels and to promote future Millinery Awards and/or the Fashions on the Field Competition, Melbourne Cup Carnival or other VRC owned events.

We are aiming to accommodate as many entries as practical and possible on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 4 November 2025. The final number will be determined according to quality of entries and ability to represent on the day.

Yes, if invited, you must be trackside to present your millinery design, especially if you make to the grand final for broadcast purposes.

No, it is the outfit design that is being judged; hence the design must not change. You can use a different model.

The top finalists of the 2025 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award are judged; the finalists are then contacted and invited to showcase their designs at Lexus Melbourne Cup Day. An in-person showcase allows on-course judges to submit their votes and the winners are announced