Waikato-based Eleanor Campbell was both overjoyed and shocked when she was announced the ‘Best Dressed’ winner in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashion In The Fields competition last week at Flemington.

The Fashion In The Field competition is an important and celebrated spectacle of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with winners from each of the Melbourne Cup, Derby Day, Digital and regional Australian competitions combining for the overall final on Kennedy Oaks Day last Thursday.

Campbell had reigned supreme in the Derby Day Best Dressed competition where contenders are required to fit the black or white traditional colour scheme, and her classic white Solace London look stood out among the more colourful styles to claim the overall title the following week.

“It’s pretty huge, I think that’s like the Fashion Olympics, so I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was very cool,” Campbell said.

The scale of the Fashion competition is highlighted by the prizes on offer to the victor, Campbell pocketing $48,000 in cash, alongside a raft of prizes courtesy of Victoria Racing Club’s supporters.

“I didn’t even know I was competing for that prize, so it was pretty shocking to hear I’d won the money,” she said.

“I get to pay off all my credit cards, I’m so excited.”

Campbell was delighted to have her biggest supporter, mother Anna, on course for her victory as she also had competed in the prestigious event after qualifying as a Digital International Best Suited finalist, and Eleanor had travelled to Melbourne as a plus-one as a part of her mother’s prize package.

“It was very cool, I feel bad because I was her plus-one on the trip and then I took it out,” Campbell said.

“She was in the Best Suited final, a different section to mine so that was nice that I was able to see it all as well.

“It was a huge week in heels for the both of us, so we’re happy to be back at work.”

Amid all of the excitement, the Campbell’s were able to support Anna’s friend Dianne McDonald who had a runner in the Melbourne Cup, as well as her son James claiming top-flight victories in the saddle in both the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) (Riff Rocket) and the Gr.1 Kennedy Oaks (2500m) (Zardozi).

“We tried to watch the races, Dianne had a horse in the Melbourne Cup so we managed to rush and watch the race, but it was a bit hard because of how huge the course is. The fashion is like a whole separate thing,” Eleanor Campbell said.

“We managed to score some Members tickets on Derby Day and got to see some racing at the end of the day and celebrate after the Derby in there.

“James won the Oaks on the day of the fashion final, so it was pretty cool. It was a pretty exciting and interesting carnival with the Kiwi elements in it.”

Campbell’s break from the fashion scene will be short-lived as she and Anna will travel south to Riccarton Park on Saturday where Eleanor will be on the judging panel for the Ned’s Fashion In The Field competition.

A former winner of the New Zealand Cup Week fashion competition, Campbell is looking forward to enjoying the racing action without the stress of competition on this occasion.

“It’ll be a whole different scene, we might even get to see some racing. Cup week is always fabulous,” she said.

“I’m always looking for a polished, classic look because that’s what I like, but I do appreciate some modern styles. I’m just hoping everyone has a good time and feels confident in their outfits.

“But I always look for something with wow factor.”