MADE FOR THE MIX , INSPIRED BY...

When Cape Town hosts an event, it is done for an audience across the world as it doesn't just have the mother of all  mountains, but a reputation for presenting events with flair and style. The J & B Met is high on the social calendar and a well established horse racing event as mentioned in my previous post. It attracts numerous people and gives the city a substantial economic injection, not to mention the fashion industry who otherwise experiences a rather quite month during January. The fashion cognoscenti stimulates the industry with conviction, making sure that they are seen wearing garments from local designers of which there is no shortage. Some go out of their way to look like a spectacle, others do their best to uphold the elegance of a bygone era. My perception of the races, is one of sophistication and elegance, and so it should be, in true tradition of equine events. 

There is a huge element of extravagance with themed costumes dominating the scene, all of them milling around on high heels hoping to be snapped, and obviously competing for the best dressed couple. The overwhelming majority who prances around on the lawns seem to think of the races as a spectacle to sport their most outrageous looks, and perhaps there is also room for this phenomenon. Having attended as a media member, I mostly gravitated towards aiming my lens at the more glamorous daywear and captured the looks that I thought of as being classy and fabulous as opposed to outrageous, spectacular or dramatic calling for a stage instead of a race track. 

My outfit was carefully selected to blend in with the theme but still enabling me to feel comfortable and looking fairly chic.The massive flower in my headpiece was inspired by the abundance of Cape Fynbos, the indigenous flowers that are endemic to our beautiful province. The colour Red was decided on because it exudes energy to represent the stealth and speed of the horses. The style of my dress is inspired by the middle ages and called the "Juliette" dress. My shoes are made of pony skin (no, not horse's hair, but hair on hide), with a leopard print representing Africa. The gaming token on my purse was in line with the act of gambling and betting. The entire combination was made for the mix........

With the talented and charming designer, Portia Masimula, and her model, right in one of Portia's Ostrich feather creations. 

Hat - Handmade

Dress - Belle Epoque, "The Juliette"

Shoes - Zara

Purse - Unknown

Sungasses - Dior 

Photography , other than where I appear in it, my own handiwork done with a Canon