Passion for fashion

By Jade Lawton
FIRST-time racegoers Russell McCormack and Ashleigh-Jane Viles, both of Berwick, were judged best-dressed couple at the Gazette Pakenham Oaks Day Fashions on the Field.
The duo stuck to a black and white theme, with Ms Viles in a one-shouldered black frock with white detailing, and Mr McCormack choosing a pinstriped fedora and vest.
Ms Viles bought her dress at Garfunkel, in Moorabin, and accessorised with lace gloves and a fascinator from Sassy Soul, Pakenham.
The classic black parasol was selected by Mr McCormack.
“This is extreme for me,” he said.
Ms Viles also made it in the top 10 finalists in the Most Elegant Lady category.
On the other end of the scale was experienced racegoer Jenny Beard, who won Most Elegant Mature Lady.
Ms Beard, of Langwarrin South, lived up to the elegant title in a sleeved silk chiffon dress in duck-egg blue and matching hat.
Ms Beard made both her frock and hat.
“I started making the dress two years ago, but it didn’t take that long – I left it for a while,” she said.
“I have an original 1950s hat and I copied that, but in a different colour.”
Ms Beard came second in the category last year, just losing out to Marlene Burhop, who was invited to sit on the judging panel this year.