By LIAM DURKIN
FASHIONS on the field might be going to a whole new level this Spring.
Moe’s underrated, and equally undervalued, arts scene showcased another layer at the weekend.
The inaugural ‘Battle of the Brushes’ came to town, welcoming makeup artists from across the state, and country.
These weren’t just everyday makeup artists either.
Some of the industry’s leading figures made the journey, including Sarah Emilia, who boasts more than one million followers on TikTok.
Ms Emilia was one of three high-profile judges, along with Ronia Fisher and Danielle Ruth.
Judges were given the very hard task of choosing winners, competing in bridal, fashion makeup, special effects and tween categories.
Makeup artists spent up to seven hours with their models, ensuring every intricacy and detail was attended to.
“We were looking for creativity, people that executed a skill set, created seamless looks that looked effortless with a lot of effort, we were really looking for new trendsetters,” Ms Emilia explained.
The downstairs function room of Moe Racing Club was transformed into a model runway, and attendees sitting either side were left in awe at some of the stunning looks who strutted their stuff.
Truthfully, with lights, cameras and plenty of action, one could have been forgiven for thinking they were at city fashion week event.
It is unlikely Moe Racing Club ever thought the jockey’s change rooms would ever be used as a vanity studio, yet the facility was instantly transformed, and splashed with brushes, foundation, tweezers and cans of hairspray.
Highlights from the runway included a Great Gatsby-inspired section, fitting given the novel was released 100 years ago at the height of the Roaring 20s.
The section struck a particular a chord with event organiser Jess Mylne, who said the era was one she would dearly love to go back in time to.
The Warragul-based artist dived into some of her best makeup connections in bringing the Gippsland-first event to Moe.
As was noted, an event attracting this level of makeup skill and notoriety would normally be held in Melbourne.
Ms Emilia, who flew down from Sydney, was glowing in her praise for what was on display in the Latrobe Valley.
“Amazing, honestly I think the industry needed it,” she said.
“Something new, something fresh and exciting that might inspire others to innovate in their own town areas.
“I would say Gippsland has started something that could be seen in other states.”
Perhaps most appropriately, Battle of the Brushes took place on International Women’s Day.
It is not surprising then that the event, emceed by Kellie Eddy, ran some two hours ahead of schedule.
