An on-trend physiotherapist with a knack for creative styling has been crowned Face of Canberra Racing for 2015.
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Kate Speldewinde of Nicholls wowed a judging panel with her autumnal, textured ensemble; a combination of leather, felt and greys with a splash of warm colour.
It was this passion for racewear that got the stylish Canberran over the first competition hurdle.
"I was actually working with a milliner, Christine Waring, for the Melbourne Cup race day at Thoroughbred Park last year. I was trying to put a headpiece together with her, she mentioned [the competition] and said I should go for it," Ms Speldewinde said.
"I mulled over that for a little bit. When the time came around I applied."
Ms Speldewinde researched racewear trends for the cooler months and settled on a "rich-coloured, structured silhouette" for her winning outfit – an ensemble that required an extra stitch of creativity to match a distinct 'ox blood'-coloured skirt.
"I wanted something that was a bit more of an autumn-winter style – that's why I went with leather and felt and greys," she said.
"In terms of styles this season, it's all about rich colours. Pairing it [the skirt] with the grey looked really nice.
"Because the skirt was such a specific colour, in the end we ended up buying a second skirt and using the fabric to make a headpiece. I also managed to use some fabric for the jewellery as well. There is felt through the headpiece to help offset the leather."
Ms Speldewinde said she was "very excited" and "a little shocked" to take out the title among a pool of talented women.
After surviving earlier heats the 17 finalists underwent a private interview with a judging panel, strutted their stuff on a catwalk at Westfield Belconnen, and answered a number of questions about their attire and their desire to represent local racing.
"I think they [the judges] were impressed with the effort I'd gone to regarding the different fabrics," Ms Speldewinde said.
"The calibre of the ladies was outstanding. I think everyone really stepped it up a notch for the final. Certainly, there were a few people you could tell had done their research and were trying to create that warm, autumn feel."
Ms Speldewinde looked forward to becoming the face of racing, particularly the modelling involved, among an already packed schedule.
The title comes with $10,000 in cash and prizes.
The physiotherapist has already fulfilled her first duty, judging fashions on the field at Saturday's Canberra Outlet Centre Charity Race Day, which incorporated Ladies Day.
"I'm working full-time now as a physiotherapist – I think something like racewear will fit my schedule," she said.
"I've done a little bit of modelling before but I haven't had the chance to gain that exposure. I've always been that awkward, tall girl growing up [but] I grew to love it."
