learn how to put your business here
Glitz and glamour under the Arabian sky
A record-breaking number of people attended the 2007 Dubai World Cup at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, the richest horse race in the world. This was the 12th Dubai World Cup, and the International Village was completely sold out for the first time ever. The best horses, trainers and jockeys made the annual trip to Dubai for a US$6 million prize fund. Numbers totalled more than 60,000 people, which meant that competition had never been so fierce.
It was no surprise that the Nad Al sheba Racecourse boasted state-of-the-art facilities. They included large TV monitors in all areas to ensure that all race-goers did not miss any of the action. And the action was mesmerizing. People literally stood still on their tracks in awe of the opening ceremony, filled with spectacular fireworks that seemed everlasting, as well as people in white spacesuits performing aerial acrobatics, a variation of sky-diving maneuvers just a few feet off the ground. Beautiful Arabian horses, with their riders performing skilled and almost dance like movements of mastery, accompanied by a beautiful dancer in a large fluorescent green bubble in the middle of the race track, dancing with pride and beauty, was truly a spectacular event.
The most incredible and yet so overwhelming experience was the finale, with a cavalcade of magnificent horses, on which men dressed in traditional Arabic robes held the flags of the nation participating in the race. The finale was just as exciting when those wonderful people dressed in their spacesuits held their national United Arab Emirates flag in, welcoming visitors to their country to their traditional annual sporting event of the year.
And what of the hats? Well, it was by no means a necessity for this gracious event, and it was not surprising that all headwear was chic, stylish and trendy, and the colours were as spectacular as their designs. Black and white is always a safe combination, but it was also the lemons, ivory satin, pale turquoise, moss green, vibrant reds, lilacs, watermelons, golds and white that stood out under that bright Dubai sunlight. Every style and quality was there for the liking and, for this very special event, it was wonderful to see women who represented their culture in their traditional tribal wears from places such as Africa and Thailand.
Some women even went so far as designing representations of the buildings of Dubai on their hats, as well as large collars that almost covered their heads.
It was not hard to see that race-goers pride themselves on their eclectic, elegant and refined style that gave them all a chance to compete and win valuable prizes. A panel of experienced judges presided over the contest and chose the best participants, narrowing down after every round till they picked the winners. Judges based their judgments on the participant's style, originality and coordination of headwear and accessories. They were looking for that distinctive and universal style, and how women carried themselves with confidence on stage.
The winner of the Style Stakes Lady Prize went to Alicia Fernandes, who also won the best dressed lady at Dubai's Fillies and Fashion event, collecting the first prize worth US $5,000 of BurJuman gift vouchers, plus a five-night stay, including flights to Chiva-Som resort in Thailand. The runner-up was Matshepo Selesho, who wore her traditional African tribal-themed dress. She collected US$3,000 worth of BurJuman gift vouchers. The style stakes couple, Heath Meldrun and Brodie Harper, looked very stylish and sophisticated with their outfits perfectly complimenting each other. They collected US$4,000 worth of BurJuman gift vouchers. And a creation by Melbourne Milliner, Marilena Romeo, won the millinery Style Stakes best hat, and the prize went to Nazira Sailer, who collected US$3,000 worth of BurJuman gift vouchers.
At the end of the day, with sore feet and horse throats (pardon the pun), and whatever the style, the Dubai World Cup was 2007 was truly a magnificent and spectacular event that left people talking about it for weeks to come.
Marilena Romeo and millinery.info
