With Royal Ascot well under way this week, we’re not ashamed to admit that we’re more interested in the hats than we are the horses, and with the infamous Ladies’ Day – the most important sporting date in the fashion calendar – just one beauty sleep away, who could blame us? This fabulous Thursday sees us marvelling at millinery from the finest couture to the flat-out comical. One designer that doesn’t fit into either category, but rather perches perfectly on the cutting edge, is House of Flora, whose fashion-forward head pieces wouldn’t look out of place in a certain Kylie video. Where high art meets high fashion, we think these statement-and-a-half hats hit just the right note.
But if you’re not at the races, you can still join in on the merriment with some delicious events popping up in the Capital that have got us mad-as-a-hatter salivating over the most amazing headgear while we sip and sup. First up, Mayfair restaurant, Benares is celebrating Royal Ascot with a beautifully designed millinery masterpiece in the form of a dessert; a raspberry and white chocolate galette served with a brandy snap hat, vanilla and vodka quenelle, all, of course to enjoy with The Royal Cocktail – Champagne with a Pimm’s foam. It would be rude not to. The dessert will be available throughout June whilst the cocktail will be available from 9 to 22.
Bond and Brook, the stylish restaurant located within Bond Street’s Fenwick promises Ladies’ Day every day until 21 June with an afternoon tea dedicated to the races. Think fashionably foodie favourites alongside a collection of couture cakes from edible bowler hats and mini berry pavolvas to Champagne and raspberry tartlets. Why not stop by the department store’s pop-up hat clinic while you’re there?
And, until 22 June you can catch millinery expert, Gemma Williams’ delectable hat exhibition at 34. The Mayfair restaurant’s windows will be filled with beautifully designed and crafted British hats as adorned by some very famous heads. Lady Di and Lady Gaga will both be represented in this fascinating (fascinator) display. Well, tomorrow is Ladies’ Day after all.