* Please note I have decided to remove all comments associated with this post*
The Canberra Times is reporting today that the Fashions on the Field judges decision was controversial and shrouded by bias toward Viktoria Novak... ooooooh. Beyond the obvious fact that it doesn't even dignify a response... I shall none the less indulge...
Our choice for first, second and third place was a tough one, the level of competition was extremely high. Our third place contestant was chosen for the unusual, but completely righteous use of colour, and an elegant look. I loved the heavy beads on the light fabric, so chic.
Second place wore a one-of-a-kind bird print around the hem of her dress and gorgeous hat, again, elegant, with a classic sihouette.
And our winner managed to use colours bang on-trend in an unexpected combination, anyone who can put together 2 shades of purple with silver and champagne - and make it rock - has my admiration! Beyond that, though, Viktoria also obviously went to extreme measures to match all of the elements of her outfit, from the swirl in her shoe, to the pearls in her fascinator... classic, elegant, fashionable and co-ordinated head to toe... bravo. And that's why she won, so there.
Any contestant not busy choking on their own sour grapes (although I don't blame you - a trip to Paris has me green with envy too!) is completely welcome to ask me about the judges decision regarding their own outfit. Email me, I will be more than happy to offer my feedback.
And a thankyou to Geraldine for referencing Canberra's Got Style, who helpfully points out my "recent" Novak feature... 5 months ago is not so recent for this blog! Thank you for stopping by, I do hope you can stay and check out the rest.
Mwahh, Love Nina x
God love you, well said. Canbera Times get a life and learn something about fashion Geraldine!!!
ReplyDeleteOoohhh Nina! I think you've got heaps of valid points and I think Viktoria looked divine but seriously, it doesn't look good from an outsiders point of view. IMHO She should NOT have entered. The conflict of interest is glaringly obvious and it's supposed to be a fun event for everyone, not a promotional activity.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I didn't enter, (I didnt even attend :( but I can understand why the other contestants might consider her to have an unfair advantage.
Let's hope this is a short-lived drama. I'm sure those that know you know you have far more integrity than to stack the deck.
ReplyDeleteNina, how have I not found you before honey? You're fabulous! I've just added you to my fabulous links over at Australia Entertains. Ooh and I'd love you to party with us at Pink Frosting - we've just opened our showroom over in Fyshwick! Have a great one, honey!
ReplyDeleteKathryn @ Australia Entertains
Canberrans can be so catty and pathetic, can't they.
ReplyDeleteAnd for this woman to attempt to 'burn' you in the Canberra Times of all arenas - it isn't even a Newspaper. It's a rag.
I love you and your work Nina Darling.
Xx
Anonymous at 8:18pm - It wouldn't have mattered who had won, their are people out there who always complain about the winner (it happens every yr)and they believe they should have won. I was at the races, and this girl was the clear winner. As soon as she went on stage I heard people in the crowd say that she is amazing. If the judges didn't choice her, people would have complained about that as well. This town makes me sick, everyone is out to get each other. If people weren't at the races, they shouldn't comment!!! Go Ms Novak, you rocked that stage and I'll be getting you to make my hat for the Melbourne Cup this yr.
ReplyDeleteDon't believe what the papers say people, Canberra Times are always out to damage Throughbred Park and fashions on the field. That idiot from the Canberra Times has the same stories about fashions on the field every year. I can't see any conflict here, the girl was a clear winner...
ReplyDeleteerrgh. I think the point may have been missed here. Viktoria is a professional...thus..she shouldn't have entered!! When you have professionals entering competitions like this, OF COURSE they are going to win. Makes all the other girls feel stupid for showing up!
ReplyDeleteOh and Nina, perhaps you could name the runners up? It doesn't help but fuel the fires that you have 'our winner, viktoria' written up under photos and then haven't even bothered to name the other girls in the competition.
Shameless self promotion.
Re professionals entering... Viktoria was one of at least 3 professional milliners in the competition and the other 2 are the ones crying foul.
ReplyDeleteI would hate to think anyone felt stupid turning up, everyone who entered should be immensly proud.
Why didn't they (all the milliners) just dress someone else? :( You wouldn't see Collette Dinnegan parading around in her own wares.
ReplyDeleteOh well. Seems like a lot of 'rookie mistakes' on behalf of the judges and entrants.
Storm in a (very stylish) teacup :)
OOh, I love a bit of drama!
ReplyDeleteLooking in from the outside and never having anything to do with fashion at all.
ReplyDeleteI see a very hard working beautiful girl who is trying to get her name out into the marketplace as an upcoming milliner in Canberra. There is no reason at all why she should not have entered this competition.
It’s just a shame dear Geraldine from the Canberra times did not get the stockist right so everyone could see where the rest of her amazing work is.
I’m glad she won she always outshines everybody just with her smile!!!!
Re "professional" comments. It's common knowledge that Viktoria Novak works a regular day job, just like you and I. She does the millinery and fashion stuff on the side. How is she then "professional"? Yes, her designs are professionally made (using her sewing machine!), and she looks immaculate every time she's seen in public, but she's far from being a professional designer such as Collette Dinnigan. Not yet anyway. Give the girl a break. She looked fabulous and went to great lengths to make what was an outstanding outfit and accessories for the day. To the jealous ones, perhaps you could spend every spare moment of your evenings making wonderful creations such as Viktoria. Jealousy is a curse, and if I want to be blunt, the two runner-ups were below par by a country mile; the yellow one could be likened to an American cheese I once ate in NYC ...
ReplyDeleteI loved what the winner wore but one of the judges was apparently wearing a design made by her. Maybe they're BFF's.
ReplyDeleteWhatever, enjoy your trip Viktoria!
Yes, all 3 judges chose to support local milliners. One wore Viktoria Novak (purchased at full price over 12 months ago), another wore Angela Menz (another contestant) custom made for the event, and I wore Deanna Mann, (who I knew would not be participating) custom made for the event.
ReplyDeleteJust so you know.
Love Nina x
I thought the idea was not to "over-do" the look- she comes across like some purple christmas tree. Totally tizzed up with this Fascinator????? Is not the hat suppose to be the feature????
ReplyDeleteI saw the pictures and she does not stand up against second or third! She is totally overdone - style is not about what you lay on, have you not heard the saying 'less is more'?
There is a reason why people are complaining!
To me it seems like a total publicity stunt - all her celebrity friends were judging!!!!!!
I really think in future the judging panel needs to be from outside of Canberra (Wasnt one of the judges wearing her hat????
ReplyDeleteI still dont understand how all 3 of the judges were connected to Ms Novak. can someone spec out the story for me? i missed it!
ReplyDeleteI dont think it has anything to do with the Canberra times - in fact they tipped her as a favorite to win in their feature on Sunday I think????? How does that work??????? How can you tip some one as a favorite before the event has even taken place?????
ReplyDeleteEntry criteria states : "Staff members and immediate family of promoter, sponsors and host race clubs and or their other partners are not eligible to enter"
ReplyDeleteHe logo was on the Thoroughbred Park website - as that was the case she should not have been able to enter!
Other competitors wearing her creations fine - But not her!
So Thorouhbred Park rigged it? So like they made the judges vote for her??
ReplyDeleteMore than half the entrants are local designers and milliners
ReplyDeleteWOW it sounds to me like there are a lot of very jealous bitchy people out there. When will you people get over this! she was the clear winner and looked absolutely stunning. Well done judges for getting it right. I really like her style and every time i have seen her, she has always looked gorgeous and stylishly glamorous.
ReplyDeleteout in canberra did a nice features on the event - the photographer did not pay much attention to Novak, until she was awarded the prize
ReplyDeleteI was there on the day. Watching from the stands I thought "wow that girl is really close to the judges! They were all joking and laughing waiting for the next heat. I thought it would be so embarrassing for the competition if she won"
And guess what.... she won!
To the Anonymous comment which says: "How can you tip some one as a favorite before the event has even taken place?????"
ReplyDeleteUhm, it happens all the time. For example, in horse racing, the winner is tipped in every race, in every city, in every country around the world - it's called the favourite! Same happens at the Oscars, and other events.
Nothing new about tipping a winner.
OMG did you see the feature on the winner in the weekend paper - Hot pink polyester.... I thought this was about "Canberra's got style!"
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this blog, I feel sorry for any woman planning on entering the competition next year.
ReplyDeleteTo the jealous, bitchy ones:
You're all a bunch of angry old sows that wouldn't know the difference between a fascinator and a baseball cap.
May your heel get jammed in a path crack on the way to work tomorrow ... Karma much ???
Good on you Nina for standing by Viktoria, a clear winner in appearance and personality in my books.
Woohoo GO VIKTORIA with a K
outincanberra did a best dressed list on website and Novaks not on it. Whats with that? i cant find any promotion they did for Novak before the comp eithrt. cam someone link to it for me?
ReplyDeleteCanberras ot style obviously did one.
and Thorouhbred Park obviously did.
one of the winners is carrying Chanel - saw it in city news today. I bet that is a first for the Canberra event! Love it
ReplyDeleteNina smart move not wearing anyone entering, I think its a little inappropriate!
Wow this is a heated topic!
All I have to say is JELEOUSLY! The green eyed Monster is most defiantly among the stuck up "my shit don't stink type Canberra women" Thanks for the entertainment and laughs. Nina what would we do without your blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily, I was there on Sunday and so many people picked M/s Novak as their winner. She was clearly the best of all the entrants. Time for those others to move away from their mirrors and get on with their lives!
ReplyDeleteAll this publicity for Viktoria Novak is PRICELESS!
ReplyDeleteTo the bitches ... thank you!
To the ill-informed ... thank you!
To the fashion-deprived ... thank you!
To the jealous ones ... thank you!
You are all a sunny shade of brilliance!
Do you know why???
Because you couldn't buy publicity this good ... !
GOOOOOO VIKTORIA!!! :)
Second year in a row that a well connected "insider" won.
ReplyDeleteWho'd bother entering next year?
The publicity means nothing hunny.... Look at whats she is selling. Can you honestly see Hawko or Waterhouse in one oof her creations. She will never make it outside of Canberra - and quite honestly that is why Canberra is what it is, why it has the reputation that it does - becuase of the people that think her work is style! Felt covered skull caps, with bits of ribbon and faux pearls stuck on! Please - any reputable milliner trained in the profession would laugh! It is quite simply a joke!
ReplyDeleteTo Anny 12 March 8:14
ReplyDeleteAh Horse Racing and fashion is a little different. NO ONE EVEN KNEW WHO WAS ENTERING... SO HOW CAN YOU TIP A WINNER WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR COMPETITING AGANIST????
Which really sums up the who chain of events which unfolded at Black Opal on Sunday... There really was no need for anyone else to enter. She was already PICKED to win!
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ReplyDeleteShe cant name the other two winners cos she does not even know who they where. I was there - I thought the yellow one was wonderful, she radiated and immediately stood out! So too did the white with the bird print. I did not notice purple girl until she won.
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ReplyDeleteRe: "I thought the yellow one was wonderful, she radiated and immediately stood out!"
ReplyDeleteC'mooooon, those bobble things look like yellow Roma tomatos, and quite frankly, the colour is atrocious. I've seen baby nappies with better colour ...
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ReplyDeleteHoney, I didnt even enter. And I've been to Paris 4 times. I'm simply trying to make a point about Canberra fashion and why it wont change.
ReplyDeleteFor the first time on Canberra's Got Style I have had remove a comment. I generally encourage debate and don't mind if people vent their constructive critiscisms. Not welcome here, however, is petty name-calling.
ReplyDeleteI try to live by the rule... "If you can't say something nice..."
Any further bitchy comments will be deleted.
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ReplyDeleteWow. Thats incredibly not called for. She is opening up her blog for this discussion and pretty much sent the winner on a trip to paris. how is she ruining her name by allowing debate?
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