Bucking tradition, Teneille Hildred of Albury didn’t wear a hat, fascinator or head piece as such.

Instead she styled her hair in a large bow with a diamante accessory, in what judge Katie Davenport described as a tribute to Lady Gaga.

“With the criteria, which is of course for originality and concept, we were all amazed,” Ms Davenport said.

“It’s so on theme with what we see with Lady Gaga, it’s beautiful.”

But that wasn’t the first place Miss Hildred spotted the unusual style.

“I first saw it in a hair salon, one of the girls had done it on a mannequin and I thought ‘oh I’m so going to wear my hair like that next year for the Albury Gold Cup’ and then I saw it on Lady Gaga,” Miss Hildred said.

When she made it through the first heat, many in the crowd were surprised.

When she was announced as the runner-up, the result was queried.

“It was different, it doesn’t really promote the millinery industry, it’s more the hairdressing industry,” one Border milliner said.

“There’s meant to be the work of the millinery to take into account. It was questionable under the guidelines.”

The judging criteria list quality and workmanship of the millinery, and style and design of the millinery.

Albury Race Club Fashions on the Field co-ordinator Louise Harper defended the choice.

“The judges did a superb job — if you look at the criteria it states an awareness with what’s going on in current trends, and we’ve certainly seen this at other race meets,” Ms Harper said.

“I noticed at Rosehill last week there was a gorgeous girl that had this amazing very big bow made out of her hair and extensions and she was a finalist there .

“So I think it’s great that we get these big city folk down and let us know that we’re right on the ball.”

Judge Katie Davenport agreed.

“It is meant to be about creativity and having an original concept, it is right on trend so I guess it might be a little bit controversial but it looked incredible,” Ms Davenport said.

“I thought it looked amazing and it’s perfect for after the races, normally everyone’s biggest fear is taking your hat off at the end of the day, it’s the perfect solution.”

Miss Hildred shrugged off the controversy.

“I don’t really care, it’s still a fascinator really when you think about it, it’s got jewels in it,” she said.

“If the judges like it then that’s all that matters.”

The winner of the award, Janet O’Haire of Melbourne, stuck with a more classic black head piece.

“I got this one from Mimco and I just loved the detail,” she said.

“All the beading and the sequins and it suited my little haircut.”