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Fashion In The Field

Fashion In The Field

After taking a year off, Fashion in the Fields will be back in 2025 at J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes Day (Saturday, 15 February). More about the day here including hospitality options dedicated to the days' competition!

With a prize-pool in the thousands, seven categories up for grabs, and a Supreme prize that will see one lucky lady win their way into The Ned Prix de Fashion at Ellerslie on Champions Day, it's a competition that's well worth entering. 

Pre-register here

What do the judges look for? 

  • Appropriateness for the raceday
  • Suitability for the weather conditions of the day
  • Style and originality
  • Attention to detail
  • A headpiece is an essential component of raceday for the ladies
  • Understanding and interpretation of current fashion trends
  • Grooming and deportment

Entrants may use any fabric or materials in the construction of their outfit (including head wear), but are reminded that a competitor’s ensemble should be appropriate for the weather conditions of the day.

Judged by a panel selected by the club, participants compete for some fabulous prizes! The first twenty entrants will each receive a luxury gift bag – just for entering!

And who are your judges?

We're pleased to announce that Siobhan Wilson, Bridgette O'Sullivan and Brett Holmes are in the hot seat and responsible for selecting the best of the best on the day. More about the judges here.

Fashion Categories

Mower & Chainsaw Specialists Best Dressed Man

The menswear category is open to sophisticated and well-groomed gentlemen 18 years and over, who will embrace the racing theme and dress in accordance to the weather.   Express yourself with style, flair, creativity – traditional suit or your own stylish spin on tradition. 

The lucky winner will take home a Chainsaw & Accessories Pack worth $1000 from the category sponsor.

Tuscany Road Classic Lady

The Classic Lady is all about elegance and sophistication.   The Classic Lady will have a clear comprehension and interpretation of racewear.  A well co-ordinated outfit, attention to detail and accessories should complete an elegant race day ensemble.

Our Classic Lady winner will receive a travel voucher to the value of $300 and a voucher to Tuscany Road valued at $300.

Chele Clarkin Jewellery & Habit Hair Studio Contemporary Racewear

Embracing a more modern style of racewear to be found on track.  Your outfit should be appropriate for the season and the weather on the day. Avant-garde outfit that pushes the boundaries of traditional will be required for this more flamboyant category. Eye catching, creative and utterly fashionable.

The winner of this category will take home a $250 bracelet from Chele Clarkin Jewellery and a $500 voucher from Habit Hair Studio as well as a double pass to the Racing Her Way Ladies Long Lunch at Champions Day. 

Jane's Fashion and Accessories Local Lady

This fabulous new category is open to anyone who thinks they have what it takes to show off their incredible style and wow our fashion judges.  To be eligible for this prize package, contestants entering must live within the Matamata/Morrionsville/Te Aroha/Tirau area and must NOT have previously received a placing in a Fashion in the Field category at any other New Zealand competition.

Our sponsor has provided prizes for first ($500 voucher), second ($300 voucher) and third ($200 voucher). 

Monika Neuhauser Outstanding Headwear

This category will be judged in conjunction with all the above categories.  Every beautiful ensemble deserves to be finished with fabulous headwear.  This award will be presented to the most stunning millenary creation.

The prize is a $200 voucher from Monika Neuhauser Millinery. 

The Ned & Life Pharmacy Supreme Winner

Our Supreme Winner will be selected from the winner's of the previous categories and will go through and represent Matamata Racing Club in The Ned Prix de Fashion at Ellerslie on 8 March (Champions Day).  Our thanks to The Ned and Life Pharmacy for their support of this competition. 

The incredible prize package for our overall winner is: A magnum from The Ned, sumptuous gift basket from Life Pharmacy Matamata and The Red Barn dinner for 4 at Taste of Waikato with a total value of approx. $2500.

Junior Racegoer - 5-9years and 10-13years

We're also pleased to see the return of our junior racegoer categories, open to children oncourse aged 5-9years and 10-13years. 

These categories will be judged by Maria Scott & Ella Ramsay and the winners will receive prizes from Paper Plus Matamata and Kowhai Creamery.

Additional Prizes

We're also grateful to have the support of the following businesses who've also kindly donated prizes for the day's competition to be gifted at the judges' discretion. 

  • Osteria – Matamata 
  • Re-Doubt – Matamata 
  • TAB –- Racing Her Way
  • Sincerity Apparelmaster
  • Merchant – Matamata 
  • Repco
  • Gifted Shop 
  • Indian Tadka Matamata 
  • Fiori Flowers
  • Life Pharmacy Matamata

Fashion In The Field Information

Entry
Information on how to enter and other details form part of these terms and conditions. If there is a conflict between the information on how to enter and these terms and conditions, these terms and conditions will prevail.

  • Entry is free.
  • Contestants must check in at the registration marquee on the day between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm to complete the registration process for the main competitions.  Kids registration must be completed prior to 11.45am. Entrants who do not complete this process will be disqualified. Note: even if you have pre-registered online, you are still required to make yourself known to the registration marquee staff. 
  • All entrants must be aged 18 years or older (excluding the children’s categories).  The age of the children’s categories is 5-9years of age and 10-13 years of age inclusive. 
  • Entrants into the Jane’s Fashion Local Lady category must live within the Matamata/Morrionsville/Te Aroha/Tirau area and must NOT have previously received a placing in a Fashion in the Field category at any other New Zealand competition.
  • Matamata Racing Club (MRC) reserves the right to request proof of age.
  • Entrants may only enter in their private capacity. Entries on behalf of a third party, including commercial enterprises, will result in disqualification.
  • Outfits must not commercially promote a brand, store, designer, or other commercial enterprise. Breaches will result in disqualification (at MRC’s discretion).
  • Contestants must not receive any payment or benefit from third parties, including commercial enterprises, in connection with their participation.
  • Entrants must not be dressed or styled by designers or milliners. Breaches will result in disqualification (at MRC’s discretion).
  • Individuals professionally involved in producing fashion, hats, or accessories are ineligible to enter if their role is deemed to provide an advantage (at MRC’s discretion).
  • Photographs of entrants and winners taken on the day become the property of MRC and may be used for promotional purposes.
  • By entering, participants consent to receiving information from MRC and those sponsors listed under “Prizes.”
  • Entrants must maintain the integrity of the event and act in good faith when referencing MRC
  • By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

Winners

  • Winners (of which there are 7 category winners and 1 overall winner) are selected from contestants who have pre-registered or register on the day.
  • The overall winner of Fashions in the Field known as the Supreme Winner (chosen from the 4 female category winners i.e Classic Lady, Outstanding Headwear, Local Lady and Contemporary Racegoer) will represent MRC in The Ned Prix de Fashion 2025 on Champions Day (8 March 2025).
  • Announcements will be made via public address. Contestants must appear 10 minutes before the start time of heats, finals, or presentations, or risk disqualification.
  • Prizes are awarded to the wearer of the winning outfit and are not transferable.
  • Winners may be required for up to 30 minutes after the presentation for photos and media.
  • Winners agree to participate in promotional activities for up to 12 months after the event.
  • Judges’ decisions are final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into.

Prizes
Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash. If any prize is unavailable, MRC may substitute it with a prize of equal or greater value. Winners are responsible for collecting their prizes.
The Ned/Life Pharmacy Supreme Winner:

  • Gift basket from Life Pharmacy Matamata
  • A magnum of The Ned wine
  • The Red Barn dinner for four at Taste of Waikato
  • Qualifying spot in The Ned Prix de Fashion semi-final (8 March 2025)

Tuscany Road Classic Lady

  • Travel voucher to the value of $300 
  • Voucher to Tuscany Road valued at $300.

Outstanding Headwear

  • Monika Neuhauser Millinery $200 voucher

Mower & Chainsaw Specialists Matamata Menswear

  • Chainsaw & Accessories Pack worth $1000

Jane’s Fashions Local Lady

  • First | $500 voucher to Jane’s Fashions
  • Second | $300 voucher to Jane’s Fashions
  • Third | $200 voucher to Jane’s Fashions

Contemporary Racegoer

  • $250 bracelet from Chele Clarkin Jewellery 
  • $500 voucher from Habit Hair Studio 
  • A double pass to the Racing Her Way Ladies Long Lunch at Champions Day (valued at $930)

Best Dressed Junior (5-9 years)

  • Prize from Paper Plus Matamata
  • Prize from Kowhai Creamery

Best Dressed Junior (10-13 years)

  • Prize from Paper Plus Matamata
  • Prize from Kowhai Creamery

Matamata Racing Club Racedays

  • If any part of the raceday is cancelled or postponed due to reasons beyond MRC’s control, no substitute event or compensation will be provided.
  • MRC reserves the right to reschedule the raceday and will use reasonable efforts to offer a comparable experience.
  • MRC is not liable for disruptions caused by events beyond its control (e.g., adverse weather).
  • The promoter is Matamata Racing Club. Employees and their immediate families, as well as representatives of MRC or sponsors, are not eligible to enter.