The Judges
Emma Scodellaro
Emma Scodellaro is Cairns Amateurs Carnival’s 2023 Ambassador and Fashions on the Field (FOTF) judge. Emma’s first judging role at Cairns Amateurs Carnival was in 2019. Ms Scodellaro is excited to return this year and fly the flag via her extensive FOTF community. Ms Scodellaro is a seasoned FOTF competitor and the creator and administrator of Facebook and Instagram pages, It’s All About the Sash @itsallaboutthesash. Ms Scodellaro first started competing in FOTF in 2009, predominately around Victoria but also travelling interstate on occasion. She has won several ‘Lady of the Day’ titles and has also placed in many events all within Victoria. Emma Scodellaro’s notable FOTF wins include: • 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes FOTF at Caulfield Racecourse • Longines Award for Elegance on Derby Day at Flemington in 2014 • Overall Country Racing Victoria’s ‘Best Dressed’ competition in 2013, 2nd in 2012 • 3rd place at Oaks Day, Flemington in 2017 • Runner-up at Caulfield Cup Day in 2019 • Top 10 finalist at Flemington, Caulfield, and Interstate on numerous occasions.
Neil Carpenter
Neil Carpenter is no stranger to Fashions on the Field (FOTF). However, it was by only chance that Neil first stumbled across the world of racing fashion after being approached to enter his very first competition in 2017. Fast forward six plus years and not only has his suit, shoe, tie, socks (the list can go on) collection grown exponentially but also his keen interest in keeping abreast of both men’s and women’s racewear fashion trends, globally. Neil has been awarded many ‘Gentleman of Day’ sashes in his home state of NSW and across the country.
Neil Carpenter’s notable wins include:
• Cairns Amateurs, Cannon Park (QLD) • Magic Millions Polo, Doug Jennings Park (QLD) • Stradbroke Handicap, Eagle Farm (QLD) • The Everest, Royal Randwick (NSW) • The Championships Days 1 & 2, Royal Randwick (NSW) • Moet & Chandon Stakes, Royal Randwick (NSW) • Derby Day (Top 3), Flemington (VIC) • Caulfield Cup, Caulfield Racecourse (VIC) • Adelaide Cup, Morphetville (SA) • Launceston Cup, Launceston Racecourse (TAS) • Black Opal, Thoroughbred Park (ACT) • Dubai World Cup (Best Dressed Couple), The Meydan (Dubai).
According to Neil, he gets more enjoyment from putting outfits together and ‘scouring’ Instagram pages for race wear ideas and concepts coming out of Europe than winning the illustrious sash. Away from fashions, Neil’s other hobbies include long-distance running, being the occasional TV game show contestant and judging show horses at a state and national level. Neil is honoured to be officiating at the Cairns Amateurs Sapphire Jubilee Carnival and offers this small piece of advice for entrants, “confidence is key”.
Crystal Kimber
Crystal is a Fashions on the Field (FOTF) devotee known for creating and styling her own outfits. Her passion for design and the FOTF competition culminated in her winning the coveted national Myer Fashions on the Field 2017 title. In 2019, Crystal became a Myer Fashions on the Field Ambassador and continues to have a long association with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) as its Ambassador and FOTF judge. Between 2012 and 2019, Crystal’s racing style and sophistication snagged 28 FOTF wins.
Majors include: 2012 Sandown Guineas winner • 2013 Myer Cranbourne Cup Lady of the Day winner • 2013 Brisbane Tattersalls Day Winner • 2013 SA Fashion at the races Oaks Day winner • 2013 Caulfield Carnival Preview Day Winner • 2013 Myer FOTF Qld State Winner • 2014 Geelong St Patrick’s Day Women’s winner • 2014 Caulfield Carnival Preview Day Winner • 2014 Caulfield Cup Carnival Winner • 2014 Ballarat Cup Winner • 2015 Fashion at the Races Clare Valley winner • 2015 SA Fashion at the Races Grand Final winner • 2015 Geelong Cup winner • 2016 Geelong St Patrick’s Day winner • 2016 Caulfield Cup Carnival winner • 2016 Geelong Cup winner • 2017 Myer FOTF NSW State winner • 2017 Myer FOTF National winner • 2018 ATC The Championships Day 1 winner • 2018 The Everest Fashion Chute winner • 2019 Black Opal Millinery winner
Kathryn Lee
The owner and namesake of Kathryn Lee Millinery, Kathryn’s hats have adorned the heads of racegoers and Fashions on the Field competitors for more than 10 years. Her millinery creations, that span modern, couture and vintage styles, have been featured in both the Australian Turf Club Style Guide and more recently in the Brisbane Racing Club Style Guide, and have been worn by celebrities and featured in magazines. Kathryn has a long history with fashion and style starting her career as a hair and makeup artist, at her own image consulting business in Chicago USA before settling back down in Australia in 2013 at the helm of a women’s fashion boutique in Potts Point, Sydney which she closed in 2020 to dedicate her time to millinery. Kathryn believes there is a hat for everyone; “Don’t be scared to play with shapes and sizes, you will find one that suits you!”
Models Lucy Miller & DJ Moose dressed by Cairns Central
Hair and Makeup: Tokunai Hair
Photography: Veronica Sagredo, Blueclick Photography
Stylist: Chantal Togany,
Empowered By Style
