Yesterday we caught up with the master milliner, Stephen Jones, at Coworth Park for a quick chat about key trends for Spring/Summer 2013 and of course, the highlight of the millinery calendar... Royal Ascot.
World-renowned milliner, Stephen Jones, is curator of the Headonism initiative, which with the support of the British Fashion Council and sponsored by Royal Ascot, showcases a selection of the newest and most exciting millinery talent. Expectations are high with the summer social season just around the corner and an array of exciting fashions and millinery on offer!
You started your career by studying fashion design at Central St Martins - how did you end up working with hats?
I was a tailoring intern as I wanted to improve my sewing skills and was then transferred to the millinery workroom.
How would you describe your style of hats?
‘Elegant humour’
What materials and techniques do you favor?
The most classic material such as, pure white cotton, perfect black velvet and lustrous pink satin, or Day-Glo plastic.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
By everyday life.... but in particular, architecture
What are your top tips for Spring/Summer 2013 style?
The Duchess of Cambridge is still a front-runner on this front, but I expect a softening of her signature chic.
What are your key colours/designs for this Spring/Summer?
A lot of soft grey, blue and white, spiced with hot pink and vivid turquoise.
Is it best to match your hat to your dress or vice versa?
It’s best to match your hat with your face and then your clothes will follow on from that.
Should the hat be the focal point of the outfit?
No, the hat shouldn’t be the focal point of the outfit. The hat is merely a frame but it can be a conversation point too.
As curator of Headonism, how does it feel to be an ambassador for millinery?
It’s a tremendous honour and I am delighted to be able to mentor and ease the path of young British millinery talent.
Do you have a favourite type of hat?
Yes, a Top Hat or developments of a Top Hat because it always adds sex appeal, whether the wearer is male or female.
How important is millinery to Royal Ascot and British culture?
Together with the attendance of The Royal Family of course and the wonderful horses it is millinery and fashion that make Royal Ascot one of the most special events in the world.
A selection of Stephen Jones' designs can be found on our Royal Ascot Style Guide video.
Also entered is the world’s joint third highest rated miler, the brilliant French-trained mare Goldikova, who recorded her 14th success at the highest level with a record fourth consecutive victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Sunday, having gone down by a length to Canford Cliffs in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. She is 6-1 with Ladbrokes.
Further spice may be added by the likes of Twice Over, who has triumphed in the past two renewals of the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, French Group One winners Sarafina and Planteur, as well as So You Think’s stable companion Await The Dawn, a ready winner of the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Leading Ladbrokes St Leger contenders Sea Moon, Namibian and Masked Marvel may also line up alongside the progressive Keys, Hardwicke Stakes runner-up Harris Tweed and the Dermot Weld-trained Sense Of Purpose.
Last, but by no means least, the line up of '80s legends is completed by China Crisis - a British rock band formed in 1979 in Kirby, Merseyside with a core consisting of vocalist/keyboardist Garry Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon. Thier music was a similar style to that of the New Wave, but had strong similarities to the post-punk movement of the '80s. They became successful between 1982 and 1987 with six albums and ten hit singles including 'Christian', 'Wishful Thinking' and 'Black Man Ray'.
For your chance to win this package for two people on Sunday 24th July plus Grandstand Admission tickets just answer the question on our 
Ben a young elf and his best friend Princess Holly who is a fairy live hidden amongst thorny brambles in their Little Kingdom. Holly is learning to do magic but it always has a tendency to go wrong! Ben’s not to keen on doing magic but he is very good at making things, like toys. Gaston the Ladybird is Ben and Holly’s extra special friend. He tends to act like a dog and because he has wings he often gives Ben a lift on his back. He’s quite a messy ladybird and loves to eat smelly food!
Ah, Claire! For a forty-something male such as I, Claire Grogan stirs welcome adolescent memories! It was Claire’s acting skills in a Billy Forsyth film ‘Gregory Girl’ which helped bring attention to her band, Altered Images, who went on to secure a slot as the support band to the ‘Siouxsie and the Banshees’ after sending them a demo tape. Thereafter. the group burst onto the scene with their debut single ‘Happy Birthday’ and were subsequently voted Best New Group by NME. The group had continued success with ‘I Could Be Happy’, ‘See Those Eyes’ and ‘Don’t Talk To Me About Love’.
The Fifth Ascot Festival of Food takes place in association with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Local Food Group and Hampshire Fare. Racegoers are able to race and shop, purchasing locally produced items from county suppliers. Over 30 stalls will be located around the Parade Ring selling cheeses, speciality breads, cakes, ciders, real ales, pasta, preserves, flowers, game and much more. To entertain racegoers, there is also a cookery demonstration by Ascot’s leading Chefs.
Vicky Paton, Marketing Manager at Ascot Racecourse, commented: “The Festival of Food has grown over the last few years to become a recognised regional gastronomic festival and the introduction of the awards is the next step in the evolution of the event.”
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Odyssey takes the tally of bands for the Shergar Cup 80s concert to seven. The New York based group grew out of the trio Lillian, Louise and Carmen Lopez. Tony Reynolds - a singer from the Philippines - joined the group and Odyssey was formed.