SCORCHING STYLE STAKES & MAGIC CLASHES
A month on and ironically South East Queensland is suffering from the exact extreme scorching heatwave conditions as we had at the Gold Coast Magic Million Races on January 14th!
East coast Australian's have almost become accustomed to shedding liters of 'sparkliness' on the daily for what feels like one of the longest, hottest summer's to date!
For those who haven't attended the Gold Coast delight of the annual Magic Mllions Races, it is a week of filled with festivities celebrating the burst of colour, fashion fun and one of the richest races in Australia! I'm sure those who did attend, enjoyed all that this Myer Fashions on the Field Queensland State Final event and all that it encompasses for a great day at the track even in the 38 degree plus heat!
Crazy! Yes some would say! Those type of conditions can only be reasoned with by spending the day in a pool, quick trip to Antarctica or simple 18 degree air con and Netflix. Though for the keen racing fashion fashionista's and punters the glistening brows were simple taken in everyone's stiletto stride!
Being the Queensland State final for Myer FOTF and a chance to take out the major title to represent our amazing home state at the Melbourne Cup Carnvial, this reign isn't taken lightly nor is the $30,000 worth of prizes! Outfits are planned months in advance and the bar is being raised every year by the standard of eye catching show stopping outfits!
THE OUTFIT
My outfit was inspired by an Italian 'La Dolce Vita' feel encapsulating colour, print clashes and boldness. Knowing fair well what the Gold Coast reputation of racing fashion is like, I preceded to scour the internet, fabric stores until finally I came across the amazing off-shore replica Dolce and Gabbana fabric. I actually fell in love! It was bold, had an amazing colour palette and also perfect weight for the style I had in mind!
A multitude of sketches later, Mum and I had confirmed a style. The fun/difficult part was just about to begin! Being an unusual panelled piece of fabric with varying widths of pattern, Mum worked her magic to create the perfectly matched up, print clash to create a streamlined, eye catching piece. Opting for an open neckline to allow space between the colour blocks and a flounce feature of the skirt complete with contrasting varied geometric prints to break the dominate floral.
The Headpiece
Having such a talented milliner and friend in your life means ALOT! I'm sure all of Sophie's clients would agree that she just 'gets you' and understands what you are trying to achieve.
After seeing the fabric and sketches we worked on tying the look all together. Opting for a new shape of an Italian vibe halo, in words of Sophie 'it reminded her of the stained glass artwork in the Italian churches' and I couldn't' agree more!
This was such an easy piece to wear, comfortable and light while having some impact. The colour and combination of roses with geometric
The accessories
With such an abundance of prominent colour throughout the fabric, I decided to try and keep the accessories as simple as possible though to playfully add texture. This was through a gorgeous pair of tassel earrings and also a pair of orange fringed tie up heels. A simple red clutch, minimal jewellery and the outfit was complete!
Print clash fun in a sneak peak flatlay
The outfit in it's entirety! Would have to be my favourite to date!
Image - Wendell Levi Teodoro
Sophie & I - both wearing custom made Milva Carucci Design outfits and Allport Millinery
Image - Allport Millinery
Sophie looking an absolute print clash vision in her custom Milva Carucci Designs outfit and pushing the boundaries in her gorgeous Kisses headpiece!
Image - Allport Milinery
Off and racing
Ashley making Top 10 in the Men's Fashion. Wearing Myer brands Politx and Jeffery Banks
Styled by me
Image - Allport Millienery
The ladies! Nothing better then a fashion fun day at the track with gorgeous friends! Gorgeous Carly (right) made the Top 10 in her gorgeous outfit and own millinery piece!
image - Ross Stevenson
Despite the heat and no luck in fashons, it was a super fun day catching up with friends, having a punt and making the most of Queensland racing!
As we approach the change of season's there is still a couple of race days left. For those last minute outfits with just a couple of more weeks left of Summer you can create a 'moment' when you step out in any of these gorgeous ready to wear range outfits. Having them custom fitted will allow you to look and feel amazing!
For now the planning is underway for Autumn/Winter Carnivals! Watch this space for a trend report straight from the runway's of fashion week!
Kerrie xx
76 WHITE BOOTS ALL IN A ROW
Dust, livestock, denim jeans, Akubra's, cowboy boots, the smell of dagwood dogs cooking and the sound of the showman's banter.......
These are the familiar sights, smells and sounds of the annually held Mareeba Rodeo that encompasses the township of Mareeba for 3 weeks of festivities and events. With the Mareeba & District Rodeo Association founded in 1949, this is an important event for the community to not only allow local's an occasion to look forward to yearly though also allowing travelers to experience the highlights that the Mareeba Rodeo provides!
With rodeo's being prominently a male dominated sport in the early years, in 1959 the Mareeba Rodeo Queen Competition started to allow the ladies to have their involvement also. The Rodeo Queen competition is open to residents of the Mareeba region with entrants between the age 16 to 25 years. Entrants are judged on personality, general knowledge, appearance, general conversation skills, deportment, speech and manners and given 5 questions relating to the Mareeba Rodeo. The community involvement continues within the region as local business and clubs are invited to sponsor or put an entrant forward. Each year a Rodeo Queen, Rodeo Princess and Miss Popularity are crowned at the Friday night downtown parade where local business can also showcase their craft, services with an array of floats, machinery and local clubs! As part of entering the competition, it is compulsory for all entrants to wear a 'Western Style' outfit comprising of a skirt and is worn to the variety of festival events.
2016 Rodeo Queen competition winner's
(c) Queen Sarah Bensted in custom Milva Carucci Designs
(r) Miss Personality Angel Pulverenti also in custom Milva Carucci Designs
Source: Peter Roy Photography
In 2010, I embarked on the journey to be involved in making the rodeo entrant's custom outfits. At the time, I was working part time as a postal officer and operating my part time alterations/dressmaking business. Being my first year to do anything like this, I was apprehensive and not sure how to undertake the challenge of ensuring 13 girls looked individual, bringing out their true personality, all whilst working to style a look that would compliment white western boots and hat. For most of the entrants, the go to option of a basic vest, white shirt and straight skirt combination was decided upon, customising each with a different fabric combinations. One or two, took the plunge to change from the previously dominated white under shirt to a contrasting colour with one entrant even opting for a check dress!
From this experience my ideas started to roll in for the following year and my confidence grew with operating my business and juggling a part time job too! Over the past 7 years I have had the pleasure to work with 76 entrants in addition to a handful of Cowpoke entrants and junior cowgirls and cowboys. Working with each entrant, my creativity has really shone through to highlight the confidence of each entrant when they wore their design, allowing their personality to be truly expressed! Each and every girl has made the experience so far very memorable and as each year progresses their confidence to step outside the 'traditional box' has been ever growing!
This year by far has been the most adventurous for entrants! Conscious of what changes previous years girl's have made in addition to really creating a different overall look, they were more than happy to take any advice or ideas!
This opportunity has allowed Milva Carucci Designs to further it's community involvement in addition to integrating creativity and latest trends for new and exciting pieces! Having such a fantastic, ever growing relationship and community involvement is value I hold quite highly! I look forward to working with next year's entrant's in creating the perfect personality shining piece!
Milva
2010 entrants
2011 entrants
2011 winners - trio in Milva Carucci Designs
Queen - Eliza Michael
Princess - Keir Tilse
Miss Personality - Rachel Arancio
2012 entrants
2013 entrants
2013 winners - both in Milva Carucci Designs
Queen - Alessia Aloia
Princess - Lisa Nastasi
2014 entrants
2015 entrants
2016 entrants
2016 Rodeo Queen winner
Sarah Bensted
Source: Peter Roy Photography