While most spend endless hours perfecting their look ahead of Fashions on the Fields, 2016 winner Amanda Macor’s morning preparation was “far from glamorous”.
The 49-year-old Melbournian beat hundreds of stylish ladies competing at Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day Fashion Chute on Saturday and won a BMW 220i Coupe valued at $65,000.
It was an unexpected win for Ms Macor who travelled from Melbourne with friend and long-time ATC member Ange, applying her makeup on an airport bench before changing into her winning outfit in the nearby bathrooms.
“Amanda and I came here together and I am so excited for her but she is going to have to take it all back about complaining this morning,” friend and wildcard contestant Ange told AAP.
“We sat down in the airport and had breakfast and did our makeup and went to the toilet and changed.”
Ms Macor’s custom made dress was accompanied by an Ian Bennett hat, especially made “by my dear friend out of Wagga”.
Ms Macor found her dress fabric in Melbourne last year and said it caught her eye because it was “fun and fresh” and reminded her of Spring.
“I call it my crayon dress because it looks like preschoolers have had a crack,” she said.
Racegoers were photographed at the Fashion Chute by backstage photographer Sonny Vandelvelde before parading their outfits in front of the main grandstand and judges, spring carnival ambassadors Natalie Roser and Georgia Fowler.
Fellow contender Eleanor Campbell didn’t leave the races empty handed, receiving a Longines watch for placing third in the competition.
Runner up Mark McLeod wore a “little bit of a miss match”, teaming an MJ Bale jacket with a tie from Topman, Zara chins and Windsor Smith shoes.
“I normally spectate from a distance on the fashion side of things but this year they told me to go in and I thought it would be a bit of fun,” he told AAP.
McLeod who walked away from the stage with return business class tickets to Europe, said he entered the competition for “a bit of fun” and was shocked when he was asked back by the judges.
“It was a bit of a surprise really,” Mr McLeod said.
“A trip back to Europe is perfect for me because i am originally from Scotland, so I can go visit my friends and family.”