The horses will run, the conversation will flow and the ladies will shine. Fact. With just a few days to go, the fashion-conscious, competitive and just downright beautiful are preparing for the most anticipated day of the racing calendar — the Dubai World Cup BurJuman Style Stakes.
Offering cash prizes for the Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Couple and Best Hat, the annual event attracts hundreds of entries both before and on the day itself.
And this year race-goers have the opportunity to flaunt their racing style and step out in front of a star judging panel, which includes Cozmo Jenkins, the international milliner, Kelly Lundberg, stylist for Divine and Katie Heskett, Senior Group Editor for Ahlan.
But what does it actually take to prepare for such a competition? According to Jan Robertson, this year's winner of Fillies and Fashion along with her husband Craig — it's as little or as much as you like.
Jan, who is currently in remission after beating breast cancer, was thrilled when she and her husband were picked as winners on March 6 — a win which automatically secured them a place in the Style Stakes Best Dressed Couple competition on Saturday.
She said: “Craig entered us as a surprise and I was actually really nervous. But we turned up and had a great time and I really started to enjoy myself. Having cancer hasn't been easy and it was one of the first times I have felt really good about myself in a very long time.
“On the up side, the chemotherapy certainly made doing my hair very easy! It's only just growing back so I just spiked it up and put it under my hat.
“I had a pedicure and manicure and that was about it. Obviously, with the cancer, I have not been in the sun either so I went for the pale look. I felt great."
Jan wore
• Dress: Phase Eight, Debenhams.
Cost: Dh700
• Hat: Karen Hamilton.
Cost: Dh1,800
• Shoes and bag: Milano, Debenhams.
Cost: Dh400
• Manicure and pedicure at Tips and Toes.
Cost: Dh100
Craig wore
• His full Scottish traditional kilt, complete with Robertson tartan, which belonged to his late father.
Let the judging begin
It may take hours, days and, in some cases, months to prepare for the Dubai World Cup Style Stakes, but there are a few people who have an even harder job on the day.
The panel of independent judges have the near-impossible task of scanning the hundreds of beautiful people who enter the popular competition in order to pick the winners.
Katie Heskett, judge and Senior Group Editor for Ahlan, gives us the inside scoop on what they are looking for.
She said: "We have a set criteria to follow which allows us to make decisions about dresses, skirts, tops, hats and shoes. But the rest is really up to our interpretation of an outfit.
“It really isn't about who went to the most expensive designer, it is about how the outfit as a whole was put together
overall.
“We look for the latest fashion trends but we identify them in a unique way — instead of looking for obvious trends we really look at the lady's interpretation of those trends, no matter how subtle.
“This year we will be looking for tribal designs and big, bold, arty prints. Metallic will also feature along with a strong
black and white theme."
So what would be Heskett's biggest tip?
“A true winner has style in her stride and smile," she said. "She could be wearing a dress from a low-budget store and a hat which was made at home but, if she's confident, it will win it. An outfit should make someone feel something special and that is more important than who made it or how much is cost."
The Dubai World Cup is an excuse to get dressed up and wear a hat and Heskett urged men and women from across the UAE to take the opportunity to get glammed up and make the most of the day.
Calling all fillies in Dubai!
Don't forget the basics — remember, glowing skin and shiny hair.
The dress, hat, bag and shoes probably speak for themselves but many ladies forget the basics when it comes to preparing for fashion stakes.
It's just as important to have your skin shining, your body polished and your eyes glowing with inner goodness as you prance to the Dubai World Cup.
Looking for a hotspot to get pampered for the richest horse race in the world? Then look no further.
SensAsia Urban Spa offers a stable of treatments to make you look and feel like the best-prepped filly of the day.
Race day and beauty specialist, Salina Handa, says the secret of a beautiful look is not only in the clothes but in the prep.
She said: “Great skin never goes un-noticed and is the perfect accessory to compliment your fascinator or hat. A prescription facial will boost your complexion, revive your skin texture and add a lasting glow.
“With cocktail dresses the fashion for the races and lots of legs on show, a 'sugar daddy' body polish is essential to get rid of the winter weather's neglect and gloss up the skin."
Hats off
Haven't found the perfect hat or fascinator yet? Don't lose you head!
Oasis Fashion at Wafi boasts an unrivalled selection of hats, head pieces and feathery fascinators to suit all tastes,
colours and styles.
How to enter
To enter on the day, simply pick up a Style Stakes registration form, which will be available from all International Village information booths or the Style Arena Registration Desk.
Contestants must present themselves and hand in a completed registration form at the Style Arena, located in the International Village.
Prizes
Style Stakes
Best Dressed Lady:
• First Prize: $7,000 (Dh25,700) gift voucher from BurJuman, a five-night stay at Chiva Som, two economy-class return tickets to Bangkok as well as a Dh600 voucher from a+e.
• Runner up: $4,000 (Dh14,690) gift voucher from BurJuman and Dh600 voucher from a+e.
Style Stakes
Best Dressed Couple:
• $5,000 (Dh18,360) gift voucher from BurJuman and Dh600 voucher from a+e.
Style Stakes Best Hat:
• $4,000 (Dh14,690) gift voucher from BurJuman, Dh600 voucher from a+e and a hat from Philip Wright.
Style stakes schedule
• Registration: 2pm to 4.45pm
• Preliminary judging of the Style Stakes
Lady: 5.05pm
• Preliminary judging of the Style Stakes
Couple: 5.55pm
• BurJuman Style Stakes final judging and prize presentation: 6.20pm
Registration closes at 4.45pm sharp.
For more information call 04-3498850 or visit www.sensasiaspas.com
