KISS FOR A MISS: Fashion designer George Spyrou with Miss Racing Orange Lily Ward and fashion designer Wayne Cooper enjoy the fashions on offer at Racing Orange Saddle Up Sunday. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0930raceday13
By NICOLE KUTER
LILY Ward threw her outfit together hours before the Racing Orange Saddle Up Sunday meet yesterday. It was enough to be pronounced Miss Racing Orange by fashion designers Wayne Cooper and George Spyrou.
Shivering ladies with fascinators large enough to nest a small bird, six inch heels and matching handbags and shoes, lined up with hopes and dreams of being crowned the best dressed.
However fashion icon Wayne Cooper was in the mood for something far more simple.
Mr Cooper said Ms Ward took out the top prize because she had an air of understated beauty.
“I just thought she had a real understated elegance,” he said.
“It was a case of less is more.”
He said the touch of orange in the midst of blue was what caught his eye.
“It just popped,” he said.
“Some of the dresses looked like formal dresses and when you know you just know.”
Ms Ward said she was shocked she had won. Ms Ward said she hadn’t planned on coming to the races. She bought her outfit the morning of the event.
“I was going to stay home and study,” she said.
Ms Ward is a dentistry student.
Racing Orange chair Ellie Brown said Miss Racing Orange would be the ambassador for Racing Orange throughout NSW. She said it would launch a modelling career for the winning girl as she would be profiled in Sydney and used in Racing Orange marketing.
“I’ve got to find something to wear,” Ms Ward said.
Ms Ward won a $1000 voucher for Danielle Louise, a $1000 voucher for Sheer Radiance, a $500 voucher for a Wayne Cooper dress and a $500 voucher for a George Spyrou dress.