As March 30th approaches, the global racing community waits with anticipation for the return of the Dubai World Cup to Meydan Racecourse.
For over two decades, the annual race has not only attracted top horses, trainers and owners from across the globe, but also served as the prime catwalk for ladies to parade their most exquisite headwear and finery.
With a highly anticipated fashion competition taking place behind the scenes, racegoers have spared no expense in showing off daring headwear designs for a chance to win “Best Hat” in the annual Style Stakes competition.
Now, as the latest running of the Dubai World Cup beckons, we take a closer look back at some of the standout headpieces that have graced Meydan Racecourse over the years.
2023: Most Unique Hat
The Saudi social-media star, Tamaraah Al-Gabbani, was awarded “Most Unique Hat” at last year’s Dubai World Cup. Designed by Nazgül Nejmi, the hat took inspiration from The Line development in Neom, Saudi Arabia. The conceptual creation balanced avant-garde aesthetics with sustainability principles in line with the project’s approach.
2023: Best Statement Outfit
Dubai Bling star, Farhana Bodi, wore a stunning light-blue dress by Femme Fatale which she paired with a delicate matching headpiece, awarding her “Best Statement Outfit” at last year’s Style Stakes competition.
2023: Most Creative Hat
Last year’s winner of the Style Stakes “Most Creative Hat” category was a striking pink feathered confection. The attention-grabbing headpiece, with its imaginative design, displayed creativity and originality. Pink has been a popular colour among racegoers in recent years, and will likely be trending for this year’s event as well.
2022: Most Elegant Hat
Lebanese model and influencer Loujain Adada wore an elegant white wide brim hat, decorated with white feathers and a delicate net over the rim: a simple, traditional look, yet elegant nonetheless.
2022: Standout Fascinators
Fascinators and bright summer colours were a popular trend during the 2022 Dubai World Cup. These racegoers embraced the trend with feathers and florals adorning their headgear.
2022: Headpiece Inspired by Butterflies
The frequent racegoer Farhana Bodi wore this butterfly custom hat by Christiane Millinery at the 2022 Dubai World Cup, paired with a pink dress by Velvety Couture Fatima Alshammari.
2019: Best Hat
Australian nurse, Conna Tution, wore a blue and golden headgear, “inspired by the desert” for the 2019 Dubai World Cup and won “Best Hat” in the Style Stakes competition for her creative headpiece.
2018: Most Creative Hat
Dubai-based artist Charlotte Hudders, won “Most Creative Hat” in 2018 for her headpiece creation featuring a woman’s face made of bent wire, inspired by the work of French artist Henri Matisse.
2018: Most Sustainable Hat
Australian fashion stylist, Alla Dimech, designed her own outfit for the 2018 Dubai World Cup, awarding her “Best Dressed Lady”. Her fascinator was made with biodegradable burlap fabric and completely eco-friendly.
2017: Best Hat
Elis Crewes, the winner of Best Hat category in the 2016 Style Stakes competition, showcased a gold feathered headpiece from Luke Song Millinery. The hat was inspired by the Roman empire.
2016: Best Hat
Milliner Ana Pribylova won the ‘Best Hat Award’ at the Style Stakes in 2016 for her creative headpiece creation featuring metallic hues. The Australian milliner has also been a returning judge at the Style Stakes competition since her victory.
2015: Three Hats in One
The 2015 Dubai World Cup showcased one racegoer’s creative headpiece: a towering three-tiered design with feathers.
Other Hats Worn at Dubai World Cup
Pink hats have been a popular trend over the years.
Racegoers frequently get creative with wacky hat designs
Larger hats have been a popular trend over the years and will continue to be so at this year’s upcoming race according to Styles Stakes judge Evelyn McDermott.
Wide brim hats have been popular among racegoers.
Tradition wearing hats
Wearing hats at the races has been a long-standing custom dating back to the beginning of racing events. Typically, during this time, hats were an item you wore everyday before you left your house.
However, the extravagant hats that are now associated with the races did not become popular until the 1960s, thanks to loosened style norms and many of the races being televised. This gave reason to many of the attendees to step up their headgear fashion and be more creative with their looks.
“Depending on what country you are in, you’ll see different variations of cultures and how they interpret the hat into their race day outfit” explained Evelyn McDermott, milliner and Style Stakes judge.
The stand-out race meetings are Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot and The Melbourne Cup leading the way for millinery on the world platform.
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