Dubai: Hours Of Handwork, Hidden Details What Goes Into Making A Race Day Hat

On race day, hats are never just an accessory, or an afterthought when putting together an outfit. Unlike hats worn for different occasions, race day hats evoke a different level of drama. Usually oversized and highly decorative, they are statements pieces in their own right - more like works of art or decorated sculpture that can become the the highlight of the race.

On Friday (January 23), Meydan will host this second Feature Friday of the Dubai Racing Carnival - the super stylish Fashion Friday race. In the lead up to the event, the Dubai Racing Club's Millinery Exhibition will feature beautiful creations made by talented milliners for people who wish to don them for Fashion Friday.

Depending on the time spent with handiwork, costs vary dramatically. It can also take days or weeks to create one single hat, which is also reflected in the price. One such milliner, Bee Smith, whose work is being featured at the Dubai Racing Carnival, said that couture millinery, just like any handmade craft, is an investment. Her pieces start at Dh900 and can go up to Dh2,200.

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To create one single piece, hours of skilled labour go into making it. Plus, one has to factor in the high-quality materials used as well as the complexity of the hat's design.“Every element is shaped, stitched, sculpted, and refined by hand, using techniques that have taken years to master,” she said.

Moreover, a great deal of“invisible work” goes into creating a hat, Smith noted. These include the internal wiring that holds the hat's design in place, the hand-dyeing, the extensive testing to make sure the hat sits comfortably, as well as a plethora of other invisible work.“These details may never be seen, but they are essential to the craftsmanship,” she added.

A statement race day hat can transform how the wearer feels, which is what makes it“worth the investment”, according to Smith.“There are so few opportunities today to truly dress up and embrace glamour, and a beautifully made hat elevates not just an outfit but the entire experience of the event."

'Wearable piece of art'

“Race day millinery gives you a very broad window to design,” said Evelyn McDermott of the Dubai-based Evelyn McDermott Millinery. She began creating millinery more than 10 years ago and has since taken her brand to prestigious horse racing events around the world, becoming the first the first Middle East based Milliner to feature at London Hat Week.

She said that race day hats can also depend on which country the race meeting takes place in, since some require very specific requirements. In Britain's Royal Ascot, for example, hats have to be of certain dimensions if one is wearing it at the Royal Enclosure.

"For Dubai World Cup over the years I have seen very elegant and well curated outfits with the Millinery being the highlight,” McDermott said.“There's also a sense of theatre and individuality at the races where clients want something distinctive that photographs well, moves beautifully, and expresses confidence and is a true standout piece."

She called the investment in purchasing a hat“timeless” when chosen wisely. It is also worth the investment when the hat combines design integrity, craftsmanship, comfort, and longevity, she said.

"There are lots of long hours and deadlines to get these hats to perfection and to their new owner and the reward is when you see the client in your piece and the sense of pride seeing your work."

In the end, the hat should feel personal, evolve with the wearer and transcend trends.“Bespoke millinery is a slow process, it is not fast fashion so each hat created takes time,” she added.“Millinery is not just an accessory, but wearable piece of art.”

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