UNITED KINGDOM: World's first "Ladies Day" hat fit for a horse unveiled at Ascot race course

Record ID: 726253

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: World's first "Ladies Day" hat fit for a horse unveiled at Ascot race course
  • Date: 17th June 2011
  • Summary: ASCOT, WINDSOR, ENGLAND, UK (JUNE 16, 2011) (REUTERS) BACK VIEW OF WOMAN LOOKING AT TABLES WEARING LARGE HAT FLOWERS / MILLINER STEPHEN JONES SEATED AT TABLE VARIOUS OF TWO WOMEN WITH HATS TALKING AND DRINKING CHAMPAGNE (SOUNDBITE) (English) MILLINER STEPHEN JONES, WHO MADE THE FILLY FASCINATOR, SAYING: "Actually my sister came with me to the fittings because I thought you know a horse would never keep a hat on but actually the horse loved it. I could not believe it. Actually I thought it was going to kick it and eat it. It actually trod on my foot but still. I mean it was a fantastic hat to go on it and it's really based on the Audrey Hepburn hat from 'My Fair Lady' but we re-did the colours and everything. But the horse was really happy for like an hour and a half before it got really annoyed."
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5A7MPZ2VDCZBARQYGH106UPDN
  • Story Text: The main event at the annual Ascot horse race wasn't found on the heads of the ladies who lunch but rather a filly who was treated to her very own fascinator.
    Since the royal wedding between Prince William and the now titled Princess Catherine was broadcast to the world in April, interest in hats, fascinators and ostentatious headwear has become a hot trend across the globe.
    Celebrity milliner Stephen Jones has designed hats for some of the world's most famous heads including Madonna, Kate Moss, Johnny Depp and Princess Diana.
    But this time he received a rather different commission to produce a hat fit for a horse.
    After being apprehensive at first, he said on Thursday (June 16) there was no way he could say neigh.
    The hat was made with floral flourishes and lavender and amber feathers adding flashes of colour alongside luxurious satin. From concept to construction, it took more than 30 hours to complete and cost more than 8000 GBP (14000 USD).
    Jones said while there were a few subtle differences between designing a hat for a horse versus a human, the animal can still throw tantrums.
    "Actually my sister came with me to the fittings because I thought you know a horse would never keep a hat on but actually the horse loved it. I could not believe it. Actually I thought it was going to kick it and eat it. It actually trod on my foot but still. I mean it was a fantastic hat to go on it and it's really based on the Audrey Hepburn hat from 'My Fair Lady' but we re-did the colours and everything. But the horse was really happy for like an hour and a half before it got really annoyed."
    Jones has designed hats for more than 150 women at this year's Ascot, and now one horse.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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