Latest News
February 2010
A portrait of society, racing and celebrity individuals representing the appeal of Royal Ascot has resulted in a stunning iconic image to launch Royal Ascot 2010.
The vision not only captures the talent and glamour synonymous with the Royal Meeting, both on and off the track, but also symbolises the strong historical associations that the racecourse has developed in its colourful 300 year history.
The diverse range of faces have one thing in common, their love of Royal Ascot and all things British. Showing off a more edgy look with signature pieces from her Spring/Summer Gold Label 2010 and archive collection, the iconic British designer Vivienne Westwood has collaborated with master-milliner, Stephen Jones with his Spring/Summer 2010 ready to wear and bespoke range to dress each of the ladies. The men each wear their own traditional Morning Suits and top hat with some dressed in Gieves & Hawkes suits and Lock & Co top hats.
Pictured from left to right is: The Honorable Emily Lopes, Rishi Persad, Ronnie Corbett, Lady Martha Sitwell, Lorraine Chase, Cilla Black, Stephen Jones, the Duke of Devonshire, David Booker - A Royal Ascot Green Coat, Nigel Havers, Lisa Snowdon, Bruce Forsyth, Jake Warren, Clare Balding, Hayley Turner and Frankie Dettori.
Set at Cliveden House in their stunning Rococo French Dining Room, one of the world’s finest luxury hotels in the heart of the Berkshire countryside and once the glittering hub of high society, the property is steeped in history and is set amid 376 acres of magnificent formal National Trust gardens and parklands. The celebrated and international photographer Finlay Mackay captures each individual using his unique style of lighting and imagination to enhance the stunning background of the dining room.
Vivienne Westwood is both iconoclast and a global icon having electrified the world for the last 30 years. She is one of the most inventive and influential designers of our time. Best known for her fearless nonconformity, she also has a profound respect for the past and looks to it for inspiration and however outrageous or provocative the result, her approach has always been practical – this is what makes Vivienne one of fashion’s most respected figures.
Vivienne Westwood, comments, "Royal Ascot is one of the most traditional events in the British Social calendar and I loved dressing such a diverse range of celebrities and working alongside the master of millinery Stephen Jones. Finlay has captured an image unlike any other and which over the years will become an iconic image that many will remember.”
Stephen Jones is considered one of the world's most radical and important milliners of the late 20th and early 21st centuries and is also one of the most prolific, having created hats for the catwalk shows of many leading couturiers and fashion designers. Jones has always made millinery seem modern and compelling. In materials that were often radical, and in designs that ranged from refined to whimsical, his exquisitely crafted, quixotic hats have always encapsulated the fashion mood of the moment.
Stephen Jones’ said, “The hats that I chose for the wonderful ladies in the photograph, express their diverse personalities but all have a chic exuberance, which is what defines Ascot millinery.”
An established highlight of the Royal Meeting is the daily fashion show, which will take place in the stylish surroundings of the Bessborough Restaurant. Vivienne Westwood, Stephen Jones, Amanda Wakeley and Gieves & Hawkes will showcase their latest designs in a production that celebrates the best of British fashion designers.
Royal Ascot (Tuesday 15th – Saturday 19th June) has been Britain's most historic and famous race meeting for almost 300 years, with attendances of about 300,000 people annually. However, it is far more than a race meeting and is deemed by many to be the definitive social event in the British summer calendar.
Tickets and fine dining packages for Royal Ascot 2010, (Tuesday, 15th June to Saturday, 19th June) are now on sale.
To find out more information on Royal Ascot corporate hospitality, please click here
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For further information and any images, please contact Ascot Racecourse:
Nick Smith, Head of Public Relations - 07771 791449
Gary England, Director, Ascot Hospitality – 01344 878564 or 07920 492483
Karen Smith, Public Relations Manager – 01344 878430
Notes to Editors:
The Honourable Emily Lopes – Daughter of Lord Roborough, also known as Henry Massey Lopes, a landowner and racehorse breeder.
Rishi Persad – Growing up in Trinidad, Rishi has a passion for cricket and since become a BBC sports presenter and reporter. He is a regular frontman for the BBC Royal Ascot coverage.
Ronnie Corbett – Best known for his association with Ronnie Barker in the popular British television comedy sketch series The Two Ronnies.
Lady Martha Sitwell – Married to the Hon George Sitwell, Martha is a model and a muse of the late Isabella Blow. This is the second time that Martha has been featured in the official image of Royal Ascot having been chosen as Philip Treacy’s model in his vision of Royal Ascot in 2008.
Lorraine Chase – A much loved model and British actress who has recently starred in the TV soap, Emmerdale.
Stephen Jones – Simply one of the most talented British hat makers in the world today.
Cilla Black – A British singer, actress and television performer who has been successful as an entertainer from 1963 through to the present day. In 2009, Cilla celebrated 45 years in showbusiness and is best known as presenter of Blind Date.
The Duke of Devonshire – Her Majesty’s representative at Ascot Racecourse.
David Booker, A Royal Ascot Greencoat – In 1744 The Yeoman Prickers were formed. Employed by the Master of the Buckhounds, their distinctive livery of forest green coats with gold facings are worn today by the Ascot Guard of Honour.
Lisa Snowdon – English model and television personality. Lisa has presented “Britain’s Next Top Model” since 2006 and was a finalist in Strictly Come Dancing 2008. She is currently presenting the Capital FM Breakfast Show with Johnny Vaughan.
Nigel Havers – a BAFTA nominated English actor who has reaped much success on stage and is most remembered for his role in Chariots of Fire. Nigel will soon be appearing on our screens in Coronation Street.
Bruce Forsyth – a British showman and entertainer and still graces the stage with his presence at the age of 81. Bruce became a household name in the UK when he hosted Play Your Cards Right, The Generation Game and more recently Strictly Come Dancing.
Jake Warren – The son of leading bloodstock buyer and The Queen’s Racing Manager John Warren. Jake currently works alongside his father at Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
Clare Balding – From a family steeped in racing, Clare is an anchor for the BBC’s racing coverage as well as other major television events such as the Olympics, Crufts and Ramblings on Radio 4.
Hayley Turner – Britain’s best ever female jockey and the first lady ever to ride over 100 winners in a season.
Frankie Dettori – Italian jockey and celebrity who in 1990 became the first teenager to rider 100 winners in a season since Lester Piggott. Frankie is most famous for riding the winner of all 7 races at the Ascot Festival in 1996 and finally won the Derby at the fifteenth attempt on Authorized in 2007.