Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award: Submission Guide

To be eligible to enter the 2026 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, designers must fulfil and agree to abide by the criteria specified in the Competition Terms and Conditions, which includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Must be, and ensure any model is, at least 18 years of age on the final day registration closes, Friday 2 October 2026.

• Accompanying outfit is not permitted to promote commercially a brand, store or designer.

• Must not receive any compensation from a third party for participating in this competition.

• Must not be 2025 winner of the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award.

• Must not enter the 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions on the Field Best Dressed or Best Suited competitions.

• Must not be a current or previous employee or representative of the promoter (including model if applicable).

• Physical attendance will be required for the successful finalists.

• Any item of clothing, headwear or accessory that appears in the Emerging Designer Award is not permitted in the Millinery Award.

• Entrants are not permitted to alter or add to their design in any way from the beginning until the end of the competition.

• Unless stated otherwise, all prizes awarded to the entrant must remain the property of the entrant and are not transferable, exchangeable, or redeemable for cash.

A panel of judges will choose the top finalists who will be invited to compete for the coveted 2026 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award title. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email.

Applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Creative design and fashion innovation

• Originality and unique style

• Excellence in manufacturing and technique

• Appropriateness of the design for the occasion

• Sustainability in the sourcing, manufacturing and the design process

No, you do not need to be a resident of Australia to enter the competition.

By entering the competition, the entrant acknowledges the Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Each Entrant submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts exercising jurisdiction there in connection with matters concerning these Terms and waives any rights to claim that those courts are an inconvenient forum.

Providing details about the outfit intended to be worn with your millinery piece is optional. This gives entrants the opportunity to share the inspiration behind their design and demonstrate how the piece is intended to complement a complete race day look. While this information can provide additional context for the judges, it is not a mandatory part of the submission.

After the judging, images may be used on official VRC media channels and to promote future Millinery Awards and/or the Fashions on the Field Competition, Melbourne Cup Carnival or other VRC owned events.

We aim to accommodate as many entries as possible on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 3 November 2026. The final number of entrants selected will be determined by the quality of submissions and each entrant's ability to participate on the day.

Yes, if invited, you must be trackside at the Final to present your millinery, alongside your model (if applicable), for broadcast purposes.

No, it is the millinery design that is being judged; hence the design must not change. You can use a different model.

All entries for the 2026 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award are reviewed by industry expert judges. The top entries are then contacted and invited to showcase their designs at Lexus Melbourne Cup Day. An in-person showcase allows on-course judges to submit their votes and the winners are announced.