Top of the Pile in fashion stakes
The Italian outfit was sorted but it was the hat that became a labour of love that went into the early hours of Saturday for this year’s Fashion in the Field winner at the Christmas at the Races.
Virginia Pile finished work on her hat about 1.30am on Saturday in time for the the fashion parade later that day at Ascot Park.
The hat and dress had to ‘‘float into each other’’ prompting Pile to make her own headwear.
Every night last week she worked on the hat.
‘‘I was really shocked when they called my name,’’ Pile, of Invercargill, said.
‘‘There were some amazing entries, over 20 and eight really stood out.’’
Pile wore a light pink dress she bought in Italy three years ago.
She worked as a gym trainer on overseas cruise ships and when visiting different countries, Pile would do shopping in her spare time.
‘‘It’s been sitting in my wardrobe waiting for a special occasion,’’ she said of the dress.
The hat’s frame is fencing wire. ‘‘Sowing fabric on to fencing wire is not easy.’’
In her first year of entering fashion parades, Pile won the competition at the Cromwell races two weeks ago with a red outfit.
Pile’s win on Saturday gives her entry into the Derby Day fashion parade at the Auckland races on March 2. She recently entered for the Wellington Racing Club’s fashion in the field on January 19.
Katie McNamara won the best hat in the millinery section of Fashion in the Field.
Southland Racing Club president Sean Bellew said the race meet had between 5000 and 6000 people on course.
‘‘Everyone was having a fine time. There was a good vibe and it was one of best Christmas meetings we’ve had.’’
A police spokesman said police were pleased with the crowd’s behaviour, apart from a small group of intoxicated people who were removed from the course.