Category Archives: Ascot

Royal Ascot Day 1: Princess Beatrice

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I’m honored to welcome Toronto-based milliner Jay Cheng, creator of Jaycow Millinery here to chat Ascot hats today!

Princess Beatrice topped her blue lace with a blue straw boater hat described by the designer as a “striking, oversized matador design with hand stitched swirls and tassles in raspberry, cobalt and tangerine.”

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Jay Cheng: I love Princess Beatrice’s look. Its a very chic “Royal” mix and match style that she pulled of really well. The new twist on the boater hat with the hand stitching detail on the brim and the tassels is the icing on the cake and adds just a splash of color to the very blue ensemble. Princess Beatrice is certainly bring a playful air to Ascot!

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Royal Hats: Such a great take on a classic boater style! I agree, Jay- the colourful stitching and tassels are fun and creative embellishments. The pairing of lace dress and a hat that feels less formal is a bit unexpected but really good. The colour is beautiful on Beatrice and I really like the overall balance of the silhouette. Lace dresses don’t always work with modern hats but this feels fresh and chic and I really like it!

Designer: Bundle MacLaren. It is the “Nia” design. Dress by Maje
Previously Worn: this hat is new

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What do you think of Beatrice’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Royal Ascot Day 1: Cambridges

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I’m so happy to welcome Toronto-based milliner Jay Cheng, creator of Jaycow Millinery, to share her thoughts about today’s royal hats at Ascot

The Duchess of Cambridge made her third appearance at Royal Ascot today in a sidesweeping saucer hat. Made of pale blue sinamay, the oval-shaped formed saucer is trimmed with silk flowers beneath the raised side of the brim. I understand floral trim is made in the Japanese tradition of somebana.

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Jay Cheng: I am in love with Kate. What a regal style icon. A breathtaking ensemble, romantic soft blue combination of textures put together- the lace trim,the dotted sheer fabric,the silk roses all come together to celebrate her regal bearing. Just stunning. 

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Royal Hats: From brim edge to silver toe tip, this is an exquisitely beautiful look for Kate. The smooth lines of the hat pair so well with the ethereal and detailed dress, the two pieces brought together by the hat’s romantic floral trim. The hat is also fantastically supported by Kate’s hairstyle. The whole look is a lot of blue, yes, but Kate wears it exceptionally well and the contrasting details on the different elements keep the overall look fresh and interesting. I don’t usually like such romantic looks but find myself swooning over this.

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Designer: Philip Treacy bespoke version of OC 554 from SS 2019. Flowers on the hat by Anfisa Korelova. Dress by Elie Saab.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Duke if Cambridge repeated his black silk top hat.

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What do you think of Kate’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Royal Ascot Day 1: Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall

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It’s my pleasure to be joined today by Toronto-based milliner Jay Cheng, creator of Jaycow Millinery.

The Duchess of Cornwall wore a new hat in blush pink straw. The design features a rounded crown and oval shaped brim, the longer side folded into a sharp upsweep and it is trimmed with a slim double hatband and a handmade peachy-pink silk flower with pale green leaves anchored on the outside of the upfolded brim.

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Royal Hats: This is another impeccably finished hat for Camilla. The shape is a signature for her as is the pale colour, which suits her. It’s a great hat but it’s impact is lost because she has so many others very similar to it already in her wardrobe. Maybe Jay can help me cast fresh eyes on this hat?!

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Jay Cheng: Not surprised to see the Duchess of Cornwall wearing her signature shape hat. It is very hard to place another hat shape on her that will work as perfect as this“Camilla”hat.This hat strikes a perfect balance in many ways. The sweep upturn brim shows off her hair style and the hat is an ideal size to balance the padded shoulders on her coat. The width of the brim gives the illusion of a smaller face and the hat shape is chosen well to suit her. The single rose on the hat looks heavenly, adding a very graceful touch to the hat. Perfect hat for Camillia in every aspect.

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Royal Hats: You’re right, Jay. It’s her signature because it suits her SO well.

Designer: Philip Treacy. I believe the flower on the hat is by Anfisa Korelova
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Prince of Wales repeated his antique black silk top hat.

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What do you think of Camilla’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Royal Ascot Day 1: Dutch Monarchs

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I’m delighted to welcome milliner Jay Cheng, creator of Jaycow Millinery, to chat about today’s royal hats at Royal Ascot.

Queen Máxima wore a dusky pink straw sidesweeping saucer hat with all visible surfaces embellished by flowers made of trimmed coque feathers in paler shades of beigey-blush pink, with pearl bead centers. Straw loops circling around the saucer, under the feather flowers, complete it.

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Royal Hats: Many of us have been waiting years for Queen Máxima to make her Ascot début and she did so in a statement hat!

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Jay Cheng: This is a fabulous first début for Queen Maxima. She’s looking stunning in the beautiful soft pinkish salmon color disk hat! Perfect match for her light flowy organza dress. Feather flowers are certainly a labour of love . Each feather is cut and made into petals to form the three dimensional floral trim. Just stunning workmanship.

I don’t think the hat works in all angles.The side profile photos are great but the front ones, we can’t see Queen Maxima’s face. Even without showing part of her face, the hat is still captivating and the total look is fabulous with those gloves and the nude color heels!

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Royal Hats: This hat is all about those beautifully constructed feather flowers- SO fabulous and surprisingly multi-dimensional in this tawny, salmon pink (great colour description, Jay!) The colour slightly tempers the fantasy of this hat and links it to the summery but fairly sedate silk organza dress- I agree that the two pieces pair surprisingly well together. Yes, the hat it’s a lot of look and no, we can’t see Maxima’s face from all angles but it’s light, pretty, whimsical, feminine, unique and great fun- ideal elements of an Ascot hat!

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Designer: Berry Rutjes. Dress by Natan.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

King Willem-Alexander wore a black felt hat and the Duke of York, who completed the first carriage, repeated his black silk top hat. Seeing the two side-by-side makes me wonder if the Dutch king’s hat could have been a bit taller?

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What do you think of Queen Máxima’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Royal Ascot Day 1: Queen Elizabeth

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I’m so pleased to be joined for a look at all the royal hats worn to Ascot today by Toronto-based milliner Jay Cheng, creator of Jaycow Millinery.

AND WE’RE OFF! Queen Elizabeth wore a new hat for the first day of Royal Ascot today covered in the same pale blue crepe as her coat. The stepped brim has a sharp, pinched upturn on one side and is lavishly trimmed by velvet and silk flowers in varying shades of blue and purple and moss green velvet leaves.

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Royal Hats: The colour is lovely on Her Majesty and the sharply upturned brim on the side is a unique, creative, and interesting detail. It’s also good to see a glimpse of the Queen’s dress- this helps make sense of the hat’s floral trim and I really like the contrast that moody, deeper blues and purples provide against the paler blue. I’m less sure about the stepped brim shape on the lowered side of the hat, which seems a bit awkward, and the floral trim. Velvet leaves and flowers on hats give them an antique feel that I’m not sure works with this hat’s more modern shape. Even so, I can’t think of anyone other than the Queen who could pull this hat off so well!

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Jay Cheng: Such a whimsical shade for Her Majesty. As always, the blue speaks royalty. The vintage style floral trim is a contrast when paired with the swept up pointed detail- a detail not seen on Her Majesty before. When you see the whole look, the floral fabric of Her Majesty’s dress makes sense of the color combination and the mix of different hues of blue.

Though the floral trim is made beautifully, I am still not sure if it is be best trim for this hat. The direction of the hat is quite modern, compared to the hat styles Her Majesty has showcased before. I really fell in love with the detail of the brim and the stepped brim works perfectly for the trimming to nest on.

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Royal Hats: Good point! You’re helping me come around on that brim shape.

Jay Cheng: Overall, I quite enjoyed the contemporary feel that Her Majesty is taking on. Well done darling!

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Designer: Angela Kelly, made by Stella McLaren. Dress and coat by Angela Kelly.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

What do you think of Queen Elizabeth’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated