Best dressed: Racing fashion queen Gemma Kirk
Countless contestants. Thousands of dollars. One sash. Cantabrian Gemma Kirk knows just how fierce the racing fashion industry can be. This year, the current holder of Addington Raceway’s best dressed returns on the judging panel of The Crossing’s Fashion Competition, and shares her journey to judging with Metropol editor Nina Tucker ahead of Cup Week.
With her graceful charm, Gemma’s a recognisable face thanks to being scouted for local modelling gigs like that of luxury scarf brand Dark Hampton. She’s comfortable in front of a camera, and it might have been a viable career had she an extra few inches. “I’ve had to accept I’m about three inches shorter than I need to be to compete with the catwalk ‘glamazons’ and make it a viable career,” she says. So she settled for it being a side hustle. “These opportunities pop up and you need to embrace them right?” In racewear, she has.
The United Kingdom-born Gemma Kirk won her first pageant at 16 years old. Bit by the ‘pageant bug’, she wasted no time competing in local and international competitions. Gemma soon picked up a love for travel, a new career in the industry, an opportunity in New Zealand, and a husband. They settled down and welcomed their daughter, Georgia, who Gemma describes as “seven going on 17”.
Whether you’ve admired her from afar on race days or known her up close, Gemma has never said no to opportunity. When approached with husband Steve to enter their first New Zealand Fashion in the Field (FITF), Gemma’s first thought was ‘why not?’ Side note: they both made the finals and Gemma was hooked – even if she’s still hardly seen a horse race.
A similar déjà vu washed over her when introduced to Addington Raceway’s event manager Vanessa Leeming at Ladies Night earlier this year. She’d told Harness Racing New Zealand’s Courtney Buchanan her dream of judging at Addington Raceway just moments before the opportunity presented itself. It was as quick as manifestation gets.
“Vanessa discussed with reps from The Crossing as the main sponsor who select the panel, and here we are,” Gemma smiles. This year, the competition darling will put her decades of knowledge and experience to use in a fresh, full-circle way. “The FITF community is fiercely competitive but also supportive. I have gratefully listened and absorbed their collective wisdom over the years and overlaid this with my own style and research… and had plenty of misses as well as wins. All of these factors have been important in allowing me to build the experience needed to join the judging panel, and I can’t wait.”
The role of a judge is enormous, critiquing and comparing the tiniest details from swarms of competitors – which means individual feedback is rare. So much so, Gemma has refined her taste and toolkit with advice from other accomplished women in the FITF community. “There are so many experienced women and they are generous with their opinions and advice. They are honest to the point of being blunt at times. If you take that advice on, consider it and make a conscious decision whether you feel it’s right for you, it’s invaluable in helping your outfits evolve.”
Evolving in her own style has been challenging. When all eyes are on one woman and her months of preparation, it’s arguably impossible not to overthink it. “I’ve been through a period where I probably focused too much on what I felt the judges would be looking for,” Gemma says.
“I learned to focus on what outfit works for me and that I feel good in, first and foremost, because that affects how you wear and present your outfit.” With a naturally tailored and classic default aesthetic, Gemma’s had to dance the line to meet her personal style and offer a striking something extra that stands out. “I’d like to think I get a little braver each time,” she laughs.
FIRST SKETCH TO FINAL STITCH
Every look begins with the headdress. “I work my way down from there. It is far easier to match an outfit to a hat than the other way around,” she advises. Gemma will sketch her design idea and take it to her dressmaker Amy, of Love in Every Stitch, who she began working with just a few seasons ago. “I love building the concept and having design input. Amy is wonderfully patient and capable so we nut it all out together and then she works her magic,” she explains. “I didn’t think a bespoke design would be an option when I started out, and while there is more time and effort required, the overall cost is comparable and you get to create your own unique outfit, tailored to a high standard.”
Hopefully, there’s a winning sash that follows the gruelling hours planning and nit-picking each finishing touch. “There are so many people that put so much time and effort into beautiful outfits that do not win. That can be tough.” This year, Gemma will be one of those making difficult decisions. She’s not closing the book on her own time in the arena, instead choosing to dabble selectively. Hoping her virtual entry for the Melbourne Cup final will prove successful, Gemma is channeling her energy into dreamlike opportunities – like judging.
If you don’t catch her at Addington Raceway on 11 November, you might catch the emerging artist at the Christchurch Art Show in future – a step beyond her comfort zone. “I try to be in my art studio as much as I can. My family are my focus, my husband is my best friend and my daughter keeps me present and on my toes. Art is my current passion and I am trying different genres and styles to develop and commercialise my skills.”
