Not only will Melbourne be a buzz of excitement, high fashion, champagne lunches, fundraising for charities and last minute bets on race day, Port Douglas will be celebrating in style with the rest of the nation.

For all our local fashionistas and fashionistos there are key criteria to consider when strutting your stuff off (and on) the fields, according to judges of the Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field.

Consider your style as your ensemble needs to meet the style standards, outdated styles will not impress.

Be original so that your ensemble offers something new and unseen in the competitions history and has set the latest trend.

Your attention to detail will be allied to the importance of every single detail from head to toe.

What a bevy of fashion choices to choose from in Port Douglas on offer to our fashion conscious Melbourne Cup revellers.

Mel from Melanie Ferrero Millinery said this is a very busy time of the year for her.

“I have many repeat customers and new ones along the way through word of mouth,” said Ferrero.

Some of the distinct head wear styles this year are head bands as opposed to the traditional fascinator commented Ferrero.

“I have a very broad client base and they bring their whole Melbourne Cup ensemble to me so we can design the right head wear,” she said.

Fashion designer Paul Ockleshaw has been busy designing specific dresses for clients full of colour and creativity.

“We had an increase in orders this year and we stopped taking orders several weeks ago as there were so many.  We are currently working on our Christmas orders now,” said Ockleshaw.

With a demand for bold, graphic prints and bold colours Ockleshaw said the aim was to create fun in the garments.

“We have created one off pieces for each client, they are a one off design and no one else will be wearing the same Melbourne Cup design as them,” he said.

With an exclusive fashion parade to be shown on Melbourne Cup day at Osteria Padella, Mr Ocklenshaw is buzzing with excitement as ten of his designs will be showcased on the day.

Janette Walker from Jungle Road said the trends this year have been soft, comfortable linen and cotton fabrics with lace detail following the latest trends of French designs.  Stating also that black and white in silk or cotton is still a classic.

“We are happy to assist customers in selecting an outfit for a Cup Day luncheon, and when they tell us where they are going we keep a list so that we can advise others that someone is already wearing that outfit. We sell a small range of fascinators to help finish the outfits,” said Walker.

Local charity KIND President Danielle Bellero said Melbourne Cup is one of their biggest fundraising events.

“We have partnered with the Sheraton Mirage and will be fundraising at their Melbourne Cup Garden Party,” said Bellero.

KIND was established in 2008 in the Douglas Shire as a not-for-profit organisation, by local people for local people, to raise, administer and distribute funds to assist children in need of support who have been diagnosed with a life threatening or debilitating illness or injury.

“Sheraton are donating $10.00 for every ticket sold towards KIND which is fantastic and we are running sweeps, a Calcutta where KIND gets 25% of the takings of the day as well as running a silent auction and raffles where we get 100% of the money towards  our charity.  This function is our biggest fundraiser for the year where we hope to raise a lot of money for our local children in need.” she Bellero.

Whatever your choice of celebration may be this Melbourne Cup, be sure to celebrate in style, stay safe and good luck.