Winning fashion stakes
Despite looming Covid-19 restrictions and a day that started out with rain clouds en masse, the sun shone on Andree Callaghan who walked away as the Ladies Racewear winner at Riccarton Park Racecourse Fashion in the Field.
Andree received a deluxe prize package that included a night at The George Hotel and luxury vouchers to Lynn Woods and Nicola Quinn. Metropol’s Kia Dirkson caught up with Andree off the runway and on her horse, Truffle in North Canterbury.
What do you do for a living?
I work for Ravensdown as an Agri Manager servicing customers between the Waimakariri and Hurunui rivers in North Canterbury.
I absolutely love my job thanks to all my awesome farmer customers.
What is your first horse racing memory?
My first memory of the races was going to the Orari races which are held pre-Christmas. I remember getting amongst the “Kiddies Tote” which paid out winnings in lollies. Understandably this got me hooked from a young age!
What are your hobbies and passions?
My love of horses and clothes is why I have fallen in love with races fashion. A day at the races combines two of my favourite things. I was very happy to buy my own horse this winter named Truffle. I have also picked up millinery and earlier in the year I did a course through Papanui High School Adult and Community Education run by Christchurch based milliner Roz Wilmott-Dalton. I went on to win at Wingatui Racecourse wearing the custom made hat I had made myself.
Tell me about your winning outfit inspiration and design.
I was inspired by Laura Campbell’s winning 2021 Ned Prix de Fashion dress and she advised that I needed to find an outfit that made me happy and that really resonated with me.
Two months after purchasing the gradient tiered skirt (thanks to Covid-19 and shipping issues) I was immediately in love with what I pulled out of the courier bag. The quality was amazing, and the skirt certainly had that fun factor. My hat was made by Millinery by Mel based out of Queensland.
What advice do you have for future FITF other contestants?
If you’re considering entering a races fashion competition, I would really encourage you to do so! Although it can be quite a long and time-consuming process to find the right pieces and pull the outfit together, it all pays off on race day when you’re excited to finally wear something you’ve been planning for months and you feel proud to showcase your final “look”.
