Racing Fashion in Australia - Kirrily Parry Interview

Kirrily Parry

"Wearing an outfit including your dress, millinery, shoes, bag, gloves and accessories  for the first time is so exciting."

Kirrily Parry enjoys dressing up to attend the races at racecourses across Victoria (Australia). With the racing season for 2012 at Saratoga Racecourse behind us, I wanted to get to know my fellow racing fashion fans in Australia - this is the second interview in a series. 

"I realised what was missing from my outfits. 

The missing link was a standout hat."

Did you wear hats as a child?

"I didn't have much to do with hats and millinery until my late teens but as a child I loved accessories. I would always have ribbons and bows in my hair and I'd wear strings of colourful beads around my neck. I liked pretty things when I was a little girl but I was also a bit of a tomboy riding motorbikes and playing with my dogs. I always loved going to the horse races to socialise and that is where I discovered the sport of Fashions on the Field. I started competing here and there for fun but it wasn't until I met Danica Erard that I realised what was missing from my outfits. The missing link was a standout hat to wow the judges. Once I started to wear her millinery I started to win at a lot of the local fashion competitions."

"All of the women in my family have always had 

a large involvement in the community."

Does anyone in your family wear hats?

 "I think I got my love of accessories from my Nanna Pat. She is known for wearing rings on every finger and always takes pride in her appearance. There isn't a history of fashions on the field competitors in my family but there is a history of competitive and proactive women. My mother was a charity queen in the 70's and all of the women in my family have always had a large involvement in the community through various channels."

Kirrily Parry

"The feeling you get when wearing a hat 

is a very special one. 

I get the feeling of anticipation 

of a great day celebrating with friends."

How does wearing hats make you feel?

"The feeling you get when wearing a hat is a very special one. I get the feeling of anticipation of a great day celebrating with friends and partaking in the sports of horse racing and fashions on the field. You may be wondering why I keep referring to fashions on the field as a sport but believe me it is in Australia. There are women and men that are always on the circuit especially during the spring carnival which is racing and fashions busiest time of the year. Wearing an outfit including your dress, millinery, shoes, bag, gloves and accessories for the first time is so exciting. You can't wait to see what reaction you get from your racing fashion peers and from the judges."

"I tend to be tempted by 

luxurious fabric and classic cuts."

When I asked her to recommend where to buy ladies dress hats and racing fashion, she said "My favourite Milliner and one of my best friends is Danica Erard from Danica Erard Millinery. She was the person who introduced me to quality headwear and taught me to appreciate fine craftsmanship and materials. I have about 20 of Danica's stunning creations now and most have full outfits to match. My favourite clothing usually comes from Vintage stores and I tend to be tempted by luxurious fabric and classic cuts. I also buy off the rack and like Australian designers Wayne Cooper and Carla Zampatti. My favourite international designers are Marc Jacobs and Chanel."

"The best thing about a country race day 

is the hospitality and the beautiful scenery."

Where do you go to the races?

"There are racetracks dotted all over the state of Victoria where I am from and I am a fashion Blogger for Country Racing Victoria which is the governing body for all of the rural racetracks in our state. I blog about the fashions on the field for the north west of our state which includes about 15 race clubs. The best thing about a country race day is the hospitality and the beautiful scenery. Most clubs provided local food and wine for purchase and race days and you can really immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the day. People all put a bit more effort than usual into their attire and the whole day is like a big party. There is often live bands, kids' activities and other entertainment to keep the crowds busy in between races."


Find Kirrily Parry on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/RacingFashionBlog

 

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