Held on the first Tuesday of November annually, the Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most illustrious race and the richest thoroughbred handicap event in the world. The Cup Carnival, held at the esteemed Flemington racecourse, is home to not only the Melbourne Cup and an elite range of other group races, but also an exquisite array of entertaining carnival events and fantastic fashion displays.

One of the highlight fashion events at the Spring Carnival that takes place as part of the revered MYER Fashions on the Field competition, is the Design Award held on Emirates Melbourne Cup Day. Style and glamour go hand-in-hand with the Melbourne Cup, and the Design Award is intended to showcase the talent and creative ability of the nation’s finest race wear designers.

About the Melbourne Cup Design Award Ceremony

The Design Award is an invitation-only event, and entrants are hand-picked by the VRC and MYER according to a strict set of selection criterion including experience, fashion study and designer skills. It is a well-recognised, respected and exclusive industry-based award that doesn’t only provide an arena for established designers but was created to uncover emerging talent as well.

It has been awarded since 2005, and is one of the most colourful and celebrated outdoor fashion events in the country. Designed to formally recognise the amazing contribution designers have made to the Melbourne Cup, the Design Award offers the highly competitive entrants a unique and unparalleled opportunity to display their race wear creations to the world.

Melbourne Cup Design Award Selection Criteria

The Design Award is received by the designer whose creations show the most style and originality, incorporating the latest fashion trends in a unique outfit that is highly appropriate to wear to the Melbourne Cup Day. This “appropriateness for Emirates Melbourne Cup Day” criterion usually entails a certain degree of flamboyance that is associated with race day wear. Entrants must also include a millinery component, i.e. hat or fascinator, in their design and those who show extra attention to detail with their adornments and accessories like shoes, handbags and jewellery are held in high regard with the judges.

The finals parade for the Design Awards is a truly fantastic event, exhibiting the very best race wear that encapsulates all the prestige and allure of Australia’s leading race celebration. This is a must attend Cup Carnival event for anyone with an interest in fashion and race wear, and it is a perfect opportunity to gather inspiration for your next race day fashion statement!