Her Majesty’s attendance is as important to the fashion industry as it is to the racing world, according to designer, Jade Holland Cooper, a regular fixture at Cheltenham who hosts the Holland Cooper hospitality box during race week.
“Every year style becomes more important and so it’s wonderful to have the Queen attend,” Holland Cooper, whose designs are also worn by Kate Middleton told Vanity Fair. “Cheltenham is often described as the runway of the countryside, and I think that’s very true. Women plan their outfits months in advance. Often, they go for four days and they want this to be a moment when they are seen. It’s about showing up and really dressing up.”
Though numbers at the annual festival have declined since the pandemic, fashion trends have taken off with a colorful array of hats taking center stage, along with three-piece suits.
“The shirt and tie that I did a few years ago has really taken off and we’re going to see a lot of people channelling that. The watch chain on the jacket pocket seems to have taken off, too. I’ve loved taking a man’s suited look and turning it into women’s wear. Women are having the confidence to buy a three-piece or a four-piece – they are owning the style,” Holland Cooper said.
While Camilla is yet to showcase a three-piece suit at Cheltenham, Holland Cooper added that the queen’s effortless and practical style means she is always well dressed at the festival.
“Camilla has a regal elegance that she combines with rural sensibility. You have to have a practical element, because the weather always takes you by surprise, but she manages that while looking stylish. She always adds a touch of glamor and combines practicality with sophistication. It’s very authentic and you can see she feels very at home here at Cheltenham. The royals have always championed styles whether that’s tweed or headscarves, which were the late Queen’s trademark.”
She continued, “A good outfit is the whole package: the gloves, the hat, a flat boot to walk around the paddock. The royals always add a touch of magic to the day and they translate globally. This isn’t just about Cheltenham, it’s about the world seeing what they’re wearing.”
According to the festival’s website, “Style Wednesday” celebrates both “the thrill of racing and the art of fashion,” with attendees interpreting the dress code in a multitude of colorful ways.
