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Melbourne Cup fashion contest to go non-binary with male and female awards replaced by ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best Suited’ categories
- Best dressed male and female categories at the fashion contest will be scrapped
- Instead, there will be two new categories called Best Dressed and Best Suited
- Both categories will be open to everyone, if they are male, female or non-binary
Melbourne Cup’s prestigious Myer Fashions on the Field event is going non-binary to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
The Victoria Racing Club has scrapped the best-dressed male and female categories for the fashion contest as it returns alongside the Melbourne Cup Carnival in October, in an attempt to be ‘more inclusive’.
Instead, the racing club will be running two fashion prizes that are open to everyone.
The categories will be Best Dressed and Best Suited and men, women and people who identify as non-binary can all enter.
Myer Fashions on the Field entrants line up in the Fashion on the Field enclosure on Melbourne Cup Day
The Victoria Racing Club has scrapped the best-dressed male and female categories for the fashion event as it returns alongside the Melbourne Cup Carnival in October
Chairman Neil Wilson told the Herald Sun the change is an attempt to increase the competition’s reach.
‘In celebration of Myer Fashions on the Field’s 60th anniversary and its return to Flemington, we are ensuring that our fashion story drives equality, inclusion and individuality as we set course for the next 60 years,’ he said.
‘We proudly embrace the notion that fashion and style are an expression of individual creativity and believe this should be reflected in the international event.’
‘The VRC is seen as traditional,’ he added. ‘Being traditional does not mean that you can’t be progressive.’
Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador Christian Wilkins, the son of TV personality Richard, hailed the change.
‘I couldn’t love it more,’ Wilkins said. ‘Any fashion insider will tell you that the future of fashion is fluidity, it’s so exciting to see Myer Fashions of the Field leading that trend here in Australia.
‘Plus generally creating an accepting, non-judgmental space for all people to express themselves is amazing.’
Chairman Neil Wilson said the change is an attempt to increase the competition’s reach
Last year, the best dressed man and woman each one prizes worth more than $90,000
Tailor Emily Nolan specialises in suits for women and non-binary customers.
She is now looking forward to seeing her designs featured in the contest. Last year, the best dressed man and woman each one prizes worth more than $90,000.
‘This will be a huge celebration of all genders wearing dresses and suits,’ Nolan told the Sydney Morning Herald. ‘Women and non-binary folk will be able to wear a suit. Men and non-binary folk can enter wearing dresses.
‘Everyone will be able to express their appreciation for the event through the creativity of fashion.’
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