Monday, April 9, 2012

Hats Off to the World Cup!

It was a banner year at the World Cup this year it was the 5th year that we attended the event (wow, have we been here that long?) but it was still filled with firsts!  It was the first time that my Mom and Dad ever attended a horse race, the first time I attended in my "thirties"(more on Mom and Dad's visit and my 30th birthday bash in another post) and the first time that I won Best Hat!




For the past four years I've had the delight of working with milliner Karen Hamilton to help make some wonderful creations to prance around in for the day.  Any reason to play dress up is a-ok for me!  If you love fashion and love playing dress up - working with a milliner like Karen is a total addictive indulgence.  I think that millinery is a last bastion of fantasy in fashion and it couldn't be more fun - who doesn't love a good hat?

After selecting the dress, Karen mulled over it for a few days and then presented our plan.  I wasn't so sure at first, but then again I never am, so I decided to trust Karen and just begged her not to make me look like swamp thing.  With the colors chosen, it was time to put in the order for the suit - note to self it really helps if your husband owns a bespoke menswear company (woot, KnotStandard.com)!


But wait, there's more!  I had my own Barbie and Ken (aka Mom and Dad) flying in and I'll be damned if I wasn't going to dress them up to the nines for the special occasion.  On the morning of the races I laid their outfits out on their bed, the way my Mom used to when I was little.  The tables had turned - and I was responsible for their fashionable debut to the world of racing.  The pressure!

I need not be worried because Mom and Dad nailed it!


Some of the other fun looks of the day included a Burj Khalifa and a horse head made out of hair extensions.  Who's that guy in the hat, their escort?


It was a fantastic day all around and after hours of playing hat model to Karen's creations, let's just say my heart was racing when I made the final cut for the Best Dressed Lady.  With about 400 contestants registering this year, it's always a great feeling to be recognized as a stylish lady.  As I crossed the stage for the final judging a few of the event staff whispered "good luck, welcome back..."  Back?  Apparently Matt and I's win as the Best Dressed Couple had more longevity then I thought!



It was easy to smile big with my parents watching in the crowd, never in a million years did I think I would be at Dubai, during a horse race, competing in millinery and fashion competition with my parents watching - I mean...


So needless to say it was all butterflies when they announced that I had won the Best Hat of the day.  I was do delighted that they chose to recognize Karen's great work and that her art got the credit it deserved.

Second only to the feeling of hanging out with my Mom at the races while Dad sourced a bottle of champagne from the bar (I honestly think it was the only bottle of champagne he bought in his life)!


And we had lots to celebrate - a great day with great friends, and of course - hats!


2 comments:

jimdad said...

Something tells me that my vote for Wade's hat didn't get counted.

Unknown said...

you all look very pretty!! well done and congrats