Fashions on the Field gets ready to launch for new look Melbourne Cup Carnival competition

The globally renowned style event has become a cornerstone of Australia’s premiere social and sporting fixture since its inception in 1962 and the VRC is thrilled to once again bring the glamorous spirit of Flemington to fashion lovers in this prime new location on the Club Lawn.  

Fashion remains a significant drawcard and centre piece of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and with an all-new enclosed Fashions on the Field precinct, positioned in amongst the action, close to The Birdcage, the style and glamour of Flemington’s fashions will be spectacular and unmissable.  

The four categories including Best Dressed, Best Suited, Emerging Designer and the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award return for 2025. 

Alongside the competition’s digital launch on Friday 5 September, the VRC is excited to reveal an incredible prize pool valued at more than $AUD300,000, making it the richest fashion competition in Australia, if not the world.  

The design and creative led categories offer an incredible platform for both aspiring and renowned creatives and the prizes for these awards are reflective of their importance to the VRC.  The major winner of the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award will win a prize package valued at over $AUD50,000, including an all-new opportunity to design a piece in the renowned 2026 Royal Ascot Millinery Collective.  This winning piece will become part of a permanent and highly esteemed collection housed at Ascot Racecourse. 

The Emerging Designer Award, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, encourages up and coming designers to showcase their best in creativity, excellence in craftsmanship, design vision and sustainability across recycled fashion, manufacturing and design. This award which has proven to be an incredible launching pad for young creatives and innovators offers a total prize package for the winner valued at more than $AUD68,000, including a $AUD20,000 VISA gift card.  

Fashions on the Field also returns to the two-Group 1 spring race days at Flemington – Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Day on Saturday 13 September and TAB Turnbull Stakes Day on Saturday 4 October.  The winners of the Best Dressed and Best Suited categories on each day will gain direct entry into the Crown Oaks Day Daily Finals. 

VRC Chief Executive Officer, Kylie Rogers said the competition’s new prime location combined with an incredible suite of prizes continues to elevate the importance of the Fashions on the Field competition for the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the fashion industry more generally. 

“Flemington is the global home of racing fashion, and we are thrilled that the iconic Fashions on the Field competition returns home to the front lawn, right among the action. It made absolute sense to have fashion back in prime position,” Rogers said.  

“Racing is the only sport with its own dedicated fashion category, and its influence is underpinned by the 63-year Fashions on the Field competition.

We will once again see designers, milliners and racing fashion enthusiasts showcase their own individual style, whether it be from the latest in racing fashion trends, pre-loved pieces from their wardrobe or an outfit crafted at home with personal meaning.”

“Fashion is synonymous with the VRC’s Melbourne Cup Carnival; it is what makes us unique in terms of major events, and we are delighted to welcome participation across the digital competition and to present the Fashions on the Field competition to an increasing audience, supported by incredible prizes, in a new location at Flemington and through our digital and social channels.” 

All four competition categories open at 7pm on Friday 5 September 2025 with digital entries closing at 11.59pm on Friday 5 October 2025.

An easy-to-use online entry mechanism allows all prospective Australian and New Zealand entrants to enter the category of their choice.    

Racegoers who attend Flemington across the first three days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival can also enter the competition at a dedicated on-course registration site within the general admission Club Lawn precinct.  

The 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival commences with Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 1 November followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 4 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 6 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 8 November.

For more information on Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field please visit www.VRC.com.au/fashions-on-the-field 

For more information on Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions  visit         vrc.com.au/fashions-on-the-field.

 Best Dressed and Best Suited:

The two major categories boast over $AUD90,000 in prizes, with overall winners receiving an ABC Bullion Gold Bar valued at $17,500 and $AUD10,000 in cash, along with fantastic prices from VRC partners including Crown, Schweppes, TAB and TCL Electronics.   

Emerging Designer Award:

The design and creative led Emerging Designer Award celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.  The award was first introduced at Flemington in 2005 to create an arena for designers to showcase their racewear creations. 

The total prize package for the winner is valued at more than $AUD68,000, including a $AUD20,000 VISA gift card.  The winner will be announced at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day, Saturday 1 November.  

Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award:

The prestigious Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award will again welcome digital entries, with milliners from Australia and New Zealand invited to submit a unique design that showcases their creativity. 

The major winner of the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award will win a prize package valued at over $AUD50,000, including the opportunity to design a piece in the renowned 2026 Royal Ascot Millinery Collective.  This piece will become part of a permanent collection housed at Ascot Racecourse. The winner, announced at Flemington on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 4 November will also enjoy a money can’t buy experience within the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot in 2026.