The Del Mar Race Track opened this year on July 10 with attendees watching it remotely. This year was the 26th annual Opening Day Hats Contest, which was their first virtual hat contest. Contestants throughout the U.S. entered, including Nashville, Iowa, and Palm Springs keeping the tradition alive. They were all vying for a chance to win two VIP tickets to the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar.
Sporting their best ensemble with a fabulous hat, the entrants were asked to post a photo of themselves on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtags #DelMarHatsContest and tag @DelMarRacing to win on Opening Day. There were over $2,700 in prizes plus a $500 gift certificate for merchandise from Christine A. Moore Millinery and Studio Savvy Salon.
On Saturday, July 11, the Grand Prize winner was Rebecca Templeton of Mitchellville, Iowa. I asked this horse racing lover how she coordinated her ensemble and she said, “I am a firm believer that the dress comes first.”
However, for this particular outfit, she had won the hat at the virtual Kentucky Derby fashion contest for the homemade quarantine outfit. Deciding to go with this beautiful large hat from Christine A. Moore Millinery, she began looking for a coral dress to match and found this one on ASOS. Templeton said: “My husband and I will definitely be attending the Breeders’ Cup next year. We love attending the Breeders’ Cup and have been to eight of the last 10.”
Hayley Danielle Fulton of Torrance came in a close second all decked out with a fuchsia and white fascinator designed by Illana Kogan. Fulton was photographed with her black retriever, Midnight, who was wearing a fuchsia harness and wore matching fuchsia feathers.
Jessica Lewis of Campbell was the third-place winner. She sported a stunning white and blue fascinator by designer Amy Pate. This electrical engineer submitted a beautiful photo with her husband and son.
Katherine Kapavik of Vista took the fourth-place award with a cobalt blue wide brim hat and matching dress. She posted her picture with her Great Dane who was also wearing a large hat.
Lori Shelton designed a hat and mask as an ode to The Breeders’ Cup using their signature colors of purple and gold. There were over 100 mini yellow chrysanthemums and 200 petals of purple hydrangeas. Lauren A. Jenkins made a hat and mask from toilet paper in the Colors of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.
The 2016 Grand Prize winner Andria Elam looked smashing alongside her former thoroughbred Cranky Jack who was wearing a hand-wired browband that she made for him. The 2019 Racing Theme Winner and the 2017 Grand Prize Winner Christina Stutz created a piece called “Batty” which seems fitting considering the current Covid -19 pandemic.
UPCOMING EVENTS
July – Fashion Redux exhibit presented by San Diego History Center will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. until the end of July.
July 13-July 31 – FWSD’s Art & Beauty Behind Fashion/Virtual Exhibit with Sotheby’s and ARC. Eight FWSD designers paired with pieces from the 14th ARC Salon Competition.
July 25 – La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival will announce the winners of IFFAS 2020 plus film screenings at a live video conference event at 11:45 a.m. Register at: ljfff.com.
Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned Couture Milliner based in San Diego. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher, and blogger at www.DianaCavagnaro.com.
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