FASHION: Meet the Judges

Derby Day and fashion are besties from way back and this year we’re very excited to welcome back our old friend with open arms!

The Ned Prix de Fashion, the national fashions in the field final, makes it’s much anticipated return to the runway in 2024 after a 3 year hiatus and we once again have our fabulous $20,000+ winner-takes-all prize package courtesy of The Ned and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) up for grabs.

But that’s not all, we have our final pre-qualifying event, the Godavari Diamonds Fashion Qualifiers, open to all women who have yet to secure a spot in the national final in one of the regional qualifying events held across New Zealand this season. There’s also something in it for the men with our SkyCity Auckland Menswear competition running concurrently with the Godavari Diamonds Fashion Qualifiers.

Now we can’t have a Derby Day runway without expert judges and so without further ado, we would like to introduce you to both our womenswear and menswear panels…..

Womenswear Panel

The panel for our womenswear competitions will decide who will be named the four winners in the Godavari Diamonds Fashion Qualifiers in our preliminary competition as well our top 5 and then Supreme Winner of The Ned Prix de Fashion 2024 later that day. Our judges are….

Justine Seabrook

A face many of you will be familiar with due to her position as half of one of New Zealand’s most well-known racing couples – she’s never missed a Karaka Million! With her husband heading up New Zealand Bloodstock, Justine is a regular attendee at the races both here in New Zealand as well as abroad and serves up immaculate looks every time. Justine runs her own styling business and has been a regular competitor in fashions in the field competitions in the past so with a passion for both horses and fashion (the ultimate combo in our opinion) we’re thrilled to have Justine join our judging panel once again.

Sarah Stuart

Head of Styling at Warner Bros. Discovery and celebrity stylist, Sarah has sat on a fashions in the field judging panel – including that of The Ned Prix de Fashion – many a time and brings an astute eye for current trends, coordination and how an overall look best suits its wearer.

Hannah Marinkovich

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing ambassador & ATR’s 2017 Prix de Fashion national winner (NZ), Hannah – who mixes a day job with running a vintage designer jewellery business and an enviable instagram account – is well-versed in judging fashions in the field competitions.

Lulu Wilcox

Lulu is no stranger to racing fashion, having been a Fashions in the Field judge at competitions around the country for several years now.  She has a degree in costume design and is a professional stylist, commencing her career at MTV in Australia.   Since then, she’s struck out on her own and has built her business to the point that she’s now one of New Zealand’s busiest stylists with notable clients such as NZ Woman’s Day and Australian Women’s Weekly.  She’s also the talent behind some of New Zealand’s most well-known celebrities ‘looks’ as well as being the fashion eyes for Ellerslie’s famous “SkyWalk” event back in 2019.

Aleisha Mitchell

The 2019 The Ned Prix de Fashion national winner (NZ) and two-time Hawaiian Airlines Fashions on the Field winner at Ellerslie, Auckland-based Aleisha has now turned her eye to judging FITF competitions. In her ‘spare time’, Aleisha – who has been well-known for making her own FITF outfits from scratch – juggles running a fashion advisory service, a brand new personal styling business as well as raising two beautiful girls.

Carena West

A Club ambassador & VRC’s 2019 Myer Fashions on the Field National Final winner (Aus) isn’t her only experience in racing with Carena also moonlighting as a Club member, winning owner and seasoned fashions in the field judge (she’s a horse rider too!). In between attending racedays, Carena is kept busy with running an activewear label with her sister, a stylish Instagram account and motherhood.

Menswear Panel

Our menswear judges will separate the men from the boys and determine who takes away the top prize in our SkyCity Auckland Menswear competition as well as all the bragging rights! Our judges are….

Matty McLean

A familiar face to many, Matty has been the face of TVONE’s Breakfast until recently.  He’s now flexing his vocal muscles on The Hits every afternoon but more importantly Matty cuts a fashionable figure oncourse and is a regular racegoer alongside his husband (and ATR Ambassador) Ryan Teece. With a great sense of style and eye for detail, we’re thrilled to welcome Matty to our panel for his judging debut.

Ryan Teece

ATR Ambassador, Ryan, cuts a stylish path wherever he goes. With a background in design, his attention to detail and eye for a well coordinated look is well honed. Ryan is also a keen racegoer and his personal approach to racewear is top tier – the three piece suits are just *chefs kiss*. Ryan made his first appearance in the judges seat for our Boxing Day Style Stakes and we’re thrilled to have him return this time for the men.

Angus McDougall

Angus cuts a very stylish path and is true trend-setter when it comes to men’s fashion. Angus currently works are a Senior Marketing Manager with over 10 years experience in the advertising and marketing industry and was named an official ambassador of New Zealand Fashion Week in 2023. This is Angus’ first time judging and we’re really excited to have his fresh perspective on our menswear panel.