Melbourne came out in force for Emirates Stakes Day - the final day of the 2012 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Traditionally family day at Flemington, that was no more apparent than at the Emirates Stakes Day Fashions on the Field Competition where over 600 stylish children and their families entered.
Hosted by Myer Ambassador Kris Smith and Channel 7's Melissa Hetherington, the Family Category successfully kicked off the day with 31 fashion-forward families hitting the catwalk.
The judges, including, Emirates Stakes Day Fashions on the Field Family Ambassadors Simone Callahan, daughter Brooke Warne, Charles Cottier and Samara Weaving from Channel 7's Home and Away, were blown away with the calibre and effort of the contestants. After much deliberation the judges announced the Edwards family from Melbourne as the winners. The driving force behind the family's winning look was daughter Indi, who chose a pink lace dress, cream cardigan and soft pink millinery to complement her look. Mother Bobbi and father Ben co-ordinated their looks to compliment Indi's and the family were thrilled to have started the day with the big win, including a family trip to Dubai with Emirates.
Budding fashionistas between the ages of six and 12 were then invited to parade for the Junior Boys and Girls categories. The rising popularity of the Junior categories saw an impressive array of children's racewear, judged on style and originality, grooming and deportment and appropriateness of the outfit for the person's age, the climate and raceday.
Cooper, 11 took out the title for the junior boys dressed in a dapper navy blue suit, bright red bow tie and pocket square and finished the look with casual sneakers.
His counterpart, Charlie, 10, caught the judges' eyes with her 60s inspired A-line dress in soft pink and yellow ensemble, styled with an orchid in her hair. With oversized yellow buttons a feature on her outfit - Charlie was as cute as a button as she paraded on the catwalk.
Style-conscious Senior Boys and Girls led the fashion charge with strong styled raceday outfits, reflective of current trends and personal style. Some took a more traditional, vintage-inspired approach to their racing attire that impressed the judges whilst the peplum, along with pops of neon, once again dominated Flemington's front lawn.
Senior Girls Winner, 17-year-old Ali, wore a neon pink and orange dress with lace detail and capped sleeves. Ali, a competition regular, styled the outfit around her Kim Fletcher pink pillbox hat that was embellished with a large flower.
Jacob, 15, was crowned the Senior Boys Winner wearing a red, blue and white checked jacket, crisp white shirt and black bow tie. Polishing off the look with a white fedora Jacob admitted that his sister and mother helped style his winning look.
The announcement of Jacob and Ali concluded the day in style leaving another important competition - the Emirates Stakes - to be run and won by Happy Trails.
From Happy Trails to happy tales - there goes another magnificent 2012 Melbourne Cup Carnival. Thanks for the memories, fabulous Flemington. Time now to remove the heels and rest our weary hooves.