Emma Wells wearing Only One Ashley and Amelda Millinery. Photo: supplied.
Former Harden local, Emma Wells, was recently announced as the ACT State Winner for MYER Fashions on your Front Lawn, the Melbourne Cup’s annual celebration of style. Fashions on the Field at Flemington has been a tradition that has become an iconic scene at the Melbourne Cup Carnival but has recently changed due to unpredictable Coronavirus restrictions. In 2020, for their 58th Year, Myer’s Fashions on the Field was renamed to Fashions on your Front Lawn, encouraging people from across Australia to enter, expanding the competition with the ACT and Northern Territory taking part for the first time.
Entrants were able to enter digitally, with a photo-based competition celebrating fashion from across the nation, upholding the reputation as one of Australia’s most prestigious outdoor fashion events. An expert panel of judges including channel 10’s Carrie Bickmore, Myer ambassador Kris Smith and Lexus Ambassador Katie Waterhouse, voted for their favourite submissions in women’s and men’s racewear with Emma Wells and Rogen Eulatic selected as the winners for the ACT.
Emma told The Times that she was ‘over the moon excited’ when she found out that she had been selected. “Fashions on the field is something that I have been doing for about six years. Because I am in Canberra working, I was able to represent the ACT this year,” she said. Originally from Harden, Emma moved to Canberra earlier in April, and with ACT entrants now able to digitally enter the competition, she jumped at the chance. “I think that the digital entry was great because it gave a lot more people the opportunity to enter the competition,” she said. “Not everyone is fortunate enough to spend a week in Melbourne for Cup Carnival, so it is really inclusive.
It is great that everyone could be involved this year.” Entrants were able to showcase up to four outfits on the digital platform, highlighting three photos of each ensemble. “You had four different opportunities to enter the competition with four different outfits,” Emma explained. Emma’s selected outfit was designed by local businesses, with her dress by Perth designer, Only One Ashley who received Myer’s Emerging Designer of the Year in 2018, and her millinery designed by local Canberra company, Amelda Millinery. “This year for me it was really important to support small business’ because it has been a challenging year for everyone,” she said.
The state men’s and women’s racewear winners were submitted to the national competition, where recipients were announced live on Network 10 on Kennedy Oaks Day, Thursday November 4. The winners will receive over $100,000 worth of prizes, including a brand-new Lexus UX250h 2WD Sports Luxury vehicle, a luxury timepiece courtesy of Kennedy, and a Myer gift card. Emma was also successful in the Fashions on your Front Lawn National Competition, placing third in the women’s racewear category. Rebecca More
