Racecourse Road

Racecourse Road in Ascot has, over the years, been a great place to shop, and in recent times, it has enjoyed a rebirth of retail fashion. Personal stylist Di Cant spent an interesting afternoon browsing and shopping along this fashionable street, finding everything from cheap and cheerful items to stunning Parisian couture.

Stepping out in style

Fortified by a delicious light lunch at Baguette, I simply wandered along Racecourse Road, going into each boutique along the way.

Sandy K has a stunning point of difference with unusual and highly desirable accessories. From Italy comes the handmade Pratesi bags and laptop carriers beautifully lined in pigskin with a tiny light that illuminates the interior on opening. From Milan comes the Paolo Porrati "living leaves" collection of exquisite jewellery in gold or silver. The reversible shawls of silk are from India. For that special piece to update your look, Sandy Knight of Sandy K Boutique has some gorgeous accessories

The recently opened Marg K boutique specialises in day, race and evening wear, and has some important womenswear brands, including Nicowa of Germany, which is exclusive to Marg K boutiques in Brisbane. The winter range is available right now and in July the stunning spring collection will be in store. Other brands stocked by this boutique are 9 by Joseph Saba, Bracewell, Fiorer and Fiorella, Marilyn Seyb, Howard Showers and Painura Studio of Italy.

For the men

Harrison's Menswear is still one of the best menswear stores in Brisbane, offering bespoke tailoring, Corneliani of Italy and Rembrandt of New Zealand. Ian Harrison, the much-respected owner of Harrison's Menswear, has a great reputation for buying the best quality suits, shirting, ties and lifestyle clothes for his clientele. Brands in stock include shirting from Ingram of Italy (beautiful pure cotton shirts) and Seidensticker of Germany, known for their non-iron cotton shirts that are so good to wear and so easy to maintain. The silk tie collection is from Carnaval de Venise, lifestyle clothes are from Gant and the superb shoes, belts and men's accessories are imported from Italy.

The world's best brands

Across the road, near the Eagle Farm Racetrack main entrance, is Kim Hodges Design, a name synonymous with the best of the world's best brands - Tierry Mugler, Montana, Christian Dior, Ungaro, Lacroix, Kenzo jeans label and Annette Rostel of Berlin. I fell in love with some of the Jean Paul Gaultier jewellery - stunning rare pieces that you would own and wear forever.

Lannah Dunn, well-known Toowoomba and Tattersall's Arcade jeweller, has a divine little shop here, stocking her famous antique and period pieces. The antique diamond rings especially caught this girl's eye. Also stocked is a brilliant collection of Pandora collectable charms, bracelets and chains and Mexican silver jewellery.

Stylish shoes

I kept on walking and browsing, this time into a very inviting store, Savida, which stock imported shoes and accessories. A girl could go crazy in here with the range of unusual and stylish shoes and boots for the current winter season. Loved the concealed heel stretch mock-croc matte-finish boots priced at $299. The new shoot (shoe/boot) by Linea Verde ($199), in patent with a suede collar, are perfect for right now. So is the knee-length black leather boot imported from France - a very modern boot from Arnoux. Bliss on the feet.

Etrè offers very affordable brands like Joseph Ribkoffand and favourite New Zealand labels Marilyn Seyb, Threadz and VSSP. I spotted some great knitwear here.

New labels

Well-known boutique Joli has a new owner, Lauren Walker. She is young and very enthusiastic and is stocking some similar labels, but also many new ones for Racecourse Road. Lauren and her mother handcraft individual fascinators and hats to order, especially for the race season and special occasions to suit the individual. Lauren's labels include Tuzzi of Germany, Sabatini and Sabatini White out of New Zealand. The latter is very special - it hangs in Neiman Marcus in the USA next to labels like Stella McCartney and Chloe, Lauren will proudly tell you. Another clever exclusive to Joli in that area are the Bellisima tops and boxed hosiery from Italy.

I must admit I hadn't been shopping on Racecourse Road for a while and was very impressed with the wide range of brands, clothing styles and prices now available in this very pleasant and fashionable boutique area of Brisbane.

Find out more about the stores, cafés and restaurants on the Racecourse Road website.

A chic afternoon at the races

A flutter on the horses isn't the only way of striking it rich at the races. Getting all gussied up can pay off big-time too - especially at Doomben Race Track, which offers one of the most hotly contested "Fashions in the Field" prizes in Australia.

Fabulously attired fashionistas turned out in force on Saturday 17 May, when Doomben Race Track hosted the running of the Fourex Doomben Cup and the Hardy Brothers Jewellers and Air New Zealand Fashions on the Field.

Judges Kellie Aldermann, Nicole Carrington, Josh McPherson and Di Cant chose Laura Flynn (pictured) as the winner of the $10,000 Hardy Bros prize and Air New Zealand air tickets for two to the USA.

Laura looked stunning in an Alannah Hill outfit, complemented by the most divine black hat with a sheer panel and clusters of purple flowers. She looked young, modern, stylish and absolutely within the criteria of what the judges were looking for.

And the winners are...

Hardy Brothers Jewellers and Air New Zealand Fashions on the Field Winner:

• Laura Flynn

Prizes:

• a jewellery suite from Hardy Brothers Jewellers valued at $10,000
• return flights for two to LA or San Francisco courtesy of Air New Zealand
• a voucher to experience GW Private Room

Runners up

• Stephanie Nasternak
• Nadi Hasandedic
• Glenda Newick

Runners up received prizes from Roses only and Nutrimetics.

The Cloakroom Men's Category winner:

• Ross Stevenson

Prizes:

• a wardrobe valued at up to $4000
• a Longines HydroConquest two-tone gents watch valued at $1,450 from Hardy Brothers Jewellers
• a voucher to experience GW Private Room

Runner up

• Wayne Harrison

The runner up won accommodation for a family of four at Daydream Island Resort and Spa.