Sunday 19 May 2013

Burdekin Centre Front and Centre Stage Racing Fashion


When I was first asked to go to Burdekin which sometimes is just down the road from me, as I was in Melbourne I had to decline due to the financial situation of lets face it 'everyone'.
I was then enticed by flights and accommodation, and I will let you know I had no Diva Demands of first class or Thread Count Sheets. Travel and Accommodation and thank you I would love to attend.
I was laughing to myself as the list of when I started working in the fashion industry as a Model Booker at one of Melbourne's Leading Agencies (That did have Tracy Grimshaw on their books, yes she was a model and a lovely lady that I began to get to know when we both rode horses in Wonga Park) at 17 took me back some 23 years thinking, OH Gee I am old and some of the work I had forgotten about.
Racing Fashion for me, is exactly what is my site is about and how it all started.
When Racing Fashion Australia started over 5 years ago now, not many photographers went to smaller meetings, it was just the locals with the love of the horses and dressing up for the day.
Everyone knew each other. Some lived in different states and we would all catch up and have a giggle over bubbles, while husbands, boyfriends and partners were off losing their shirts.
It was a love of hats, a love of horses and not an industry.
After enjoying my time in 'Fashions on the Field', my husband would spend all day watching me and he would get more upset than myself when I did not win. He just wanted to the the quaddie on, or tell me how well that trifecta paid when I was parading. I just loved dressing up and having a great outfit and we would all talk to each other about each others outfit and hat and where we found it. It is like the biggest Trash and Treasure meet of all time.
I look around, especially this year, and now I see not what I do, nor the competition does, but how some people are trying to industrialise the Racing Fashion Market. I will always want women to think for themselves about what they purchase and why the purchase it. How does it make them feel when they wear it???
It was apparent when I started photographing. Obviously everyone thinks I make money out of this as so many are trying to replicate it. I am grateful for Burdekin for showing me why I stand as 'Racing Fashion'. I don't want you to look like a model or a picture in a magazine.

I want ladies to be well groomed and feel good and comfortable in their outfit.

This is really getting me back to the basics of what I do and why I now know my 'Racing Fashion Australia' has had millions of hits with populations watching it.

I had no idea until the untimely shooting in America of children in a child minding centre. I was depressed and crying and told my husband I could not cope today and to take the children to the park as I did not want them to see me this way. I was delving into different search engines as I really have become a computer geek sitting with a cup of tea in my Pj's with a cat perched on my kitchen table wanting attention from the computer.

I dug deeper and deeper into the person who I was and 'Racing Fashion' had become.

After a day of digging from about 7am till about 3.30 of juggling mouse and keyboard, there was an itemised list of hits and who is watching what. Demographic after Demographic. Seriously I was astounded and shocked.

I was not beginning to believe that people may be watching this 'Racing Fashion', I have since taken down the online guests and hack ability into the site, but FNQ always seems to get you back to basics. I don't know, I think it is the people. (That is Far North Queensland for the OS)

They are humble, beautiful and they talk to you because they want to say hello! They did not want anything but to showcase their beautiful outfits. This race meeting was huge, there was no Tote (TAB) but this meeting everyone was well dressed and well mannered. There were no random people in the back of bushes with shoes off and leaving the rest to your imagination. A crowd that had a day to dress up for.

This is what I stand for and 'Racing Fashion'.

The site has been offered by Big Offshore online retailers and google adds to be put on the site. I have always believed that I want my sponsors who are very few, but loyal as I am to them. It is always quality not quantity.

I refuse to look at cheap clothes made in a foreign country. Buy Australian or Bye Bye Australia! I want ladies to make their clothes, or go treasure hunting. I want the look to be individual and a statement. Burdekin was all of this that I wanted.

I am back to basics. I want people to know, yes I have precious items in my closet, but I live in Jay Jays $5 tops and cheap shorts or skirts during the week. That is when I purchase the cheap labor, not when I want to go out looking well dressed. I would rather be dressed in tatters. The look is mine and not what commercial advertising wants me to be. I am not going to change the world, but I am going to change mine so my daughter who is 4 can make decisions about herself and not what she is told to believe. I will try, I will lead her a path, but she may choose a different track as we all have the right to do.


Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday


Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday


www.racingfashion.com.au

Saturday 18 May 2013

Fashions on the Field at Burdekin Growers


Sometimes when running around the country filming, photographing and judging 'Fashions on the Field', I question, “What on Earth am I Doing????”

I make so little money that it is not even covering costs, but every now and then I am reminded why. Today was that day. Let's bring it down to facts. Do you know where Burdekin Is? Do you know what they are famous for? Do you realise that they don't care if there is no TAB tote there?

Allot would say, “Who Cares and So what!” I tell you WHAT! This is one of the most fashionable, friendly (yet competative) and impressive race meetings I can remember going to in a very long time.
Yes, almost every week I am at Racing HQ at Flemington and the fashion in HQ is stunning with Generations of owners, trainers and horse industry in the know members, but turning up at Burdekin I know there is something very home grown and beautiful about this Race Meeting and the People who take part.
I am really looking forward to Royal Ascot, but to be a part of a community that cares and genuinely talks to you in the eyes; that matters. Maybe it is just the warm Hospitality of Far North Queensland. I was upset and it did ruin my day that they had free produce to take home and cook up, although having to fly into Melbourne (BBBRRRR) the next day. No fruit over state lines. When I arrived to judge in Cairns a couple of years ago, I immediately purchased property in the region as I loved the people and place so much. This is why I keep asking myself, “Why do I live in Melbourne?”. Ummm, it is not the weather, but wishing to give my children every opportunity to have their dreams come to them and at their disposal.
Sometimes with Country Racing you expect to see some of the usual ladies that enjoy 'Fashions on the Field', but in general I would have to say that today's raceday was graced with beautifully turned out ladies and gentlemen. Even the crowd was like stepping into the past of yesteryear when everyone wore HATS! Did Burdekin know I had a thing for hats? They all looked amazing. The ladies, dressed like ladies, gentlemen cared for appearance.
I cannot rave about this meeting enough. There was a prize pool of over $30,000 and I was so proud to tell the organisers that this was such a professionally run event, with beautifully attired locals.
Thank you all so much,

Some things are worth more than money.

THIS IS WHY I DO WHAT I DO, FOR PEOPLE WHO JUST LOVE TO DRESS WELL.

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday


Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday
Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday

Racing Fashion on the Field at Burdekin Growers Raceday


More to come.


www.racingfashion.com.au