A sellout runway fashion event that kickstarts the Cairns Amateurs and its racing and social calendar is certain to stir up fashion fever tonight.

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Passport at the Cruise Liner Terminal is sold out and with the glamorous event unveiling local fashion for the party season, it’s a safe bet some trackside trends will be born.

Pastels, florals and prints look set to dominate spring racing across Australia – with a nod to international runways – but Fashion Passport will showcase a range of contemporary pieces, including women’s and men’s wear, accessories and even ‘‘newspaper couture’’.

Jewellery designer Coral Wilkinson, who will launch the new collection from her recycled vintage jewellery label Jinyaya, said she had noticed a shift in traditional trackside accessorising.

"The collection I am launching is called Drama Queen, it’s dramatic and inspired by fantasy and truly avant-garde," she said.

"The women who buy my jewellery tend to go to high fashion events, but I find that some also buy it as an alternative statement accessory to racing headwear – you have to do one or the other."

Menswear is also finding its niche, with Nigel Vogler launching his range for guys and Victor Mellick showing a range of high-end labels from his boutique on Abbott St.

Mr Vogler, co-creator of Jaydee Paino’s winning 2010 Melbourne Cup dress, said he believed guys were putting in a stronger fashion effort.

"Guys are caring more about what they spend their money on. I’m having a lot of inquiries about my one-off, tailored pieces," he said.

"I think it’s only a matter of time before men’s trackside fashion focus is on par with women’s.

‘‘I know a lot of guys who enjoy planning an outfit and getting dressed up, because they don’t do it every day."

Next Saturday’s Men of League race day will solely award men’s Fashions on the Field prizes, for the first time in Cairns racing history.

CEO of the Cairns Jockey Club Graham Thornton said there were also important regional economic benefits from the fashion showcase, which boasts model and designer Rhys Uhlich as its MC.

He said: "$3.9 million was spent on Amateurs clothing, accessories, hair and makeup last year – an annual increase of $1.2 million," he said.

"Fashion Passport is all about benefiting locals."

Cairns’ Bella Nucifora, 18, who won Emerging Designer at last year’s Amateurs, summed up the feeling of excitement in the air.

"So much time, effort and money goes into these dresses but seeing my stuff out there on the runway is completely worth it," she said.

"It’s breathtaking."

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