L'Ormarins Queens Plate: fashion report

Guests travelled as far as from The UK and Australia to be part of this prestigious event and once again, the LQP did not disappoint. We were even graced by the presence of local and international celebs and socialites, including Princess Eugenie, Sean Fitzpatrick, Huw Jones, Tracey Lange, Bonnie Mbuli and Matthew Gold - just to name a few!

There was something for everyone. The event was not only aimed at betters, but offers fashion, entertainment and of course the best quality food and beverages with great bars of choice. In its true tradition, this LQP was extremely well arranged. Guests were welcomed into the style lounge with a complimentary ‘race programme booklet’, which contained the day’s programme, the layout of the lounges and any special promotions and ads.

Guests were then further welcomed by a live jazz band while waiting to have their picture taken in front of the beautiful rose embedded backdrop of the iconic ‘LQP’ lettering.

Lulaka Mkhize and Kimberly Lombard

Attendees were asked to wear blue and white, which reflect the racing colours of the Drakenstein Stud Farm. Men looked dapper in their suits while women looked sophisticated and elegantly dressed. The best dressed male and female were eligible for great prizes.

From left - Phindile Mahlangu, Angela Nxumalo and Jabulile Gwala enjoyed the fashion and trends, while Alexa Townsend (right) creatively reinvented an old dress.

From left – Rosette Ncwana, Dj Kimmy K, Ngawa Talliwe, Mala Bryan

I caught up with celebrity couple Matthew Gold and Kamini Pather and asked them what appealed to them about the LQP. Kamini responded that she enjoys supporting local events such as these and believes that “if you want to be supported locally, you need to support local, whether clothes, music, or events”. Her dress is from Timara Cherie Ayson, her watch from Freedom of movement and her bag is from Titch.

Matthew looked sharp in his shorts and shirt from H&M and his wooden bowtie from Óh so Boho’. He jokingly admitted that his girlfriend was his stylist.

Matthew Gold and Kamini Pather

Kamini Pather

As I am an absolute ‘girly-girl’, one of the unexpected treats was the ‘Beauty-Bar’. Here ladies could make a pit stop all day and have their makeup touched-up by trained stylist who used only the best ‘Bobbi Brown’ make up… even the exquisite Boity could not resist.

Bobbi Brown Beauty Bar

Katlego Lekalakala

Boity

Boity was dressed by Quiteria & George in the most exquisite soft set – a flared top and bootleg trousers, while actress and model Nomzamo Mbatha was elegantly dressed by Nigerian designer Toju Foyeh.

Boity

Boity and Mzamo

Actress and presenter Bonnie loves the ‘LQP’, as she credits the event as one of the “sweet packages to saying goodbye to your holiday”. “This is my favourite event, as it is well arranged, you find your way around easily, and the people are amazing,” said Bonnie. She also loves the tradition of the blue and white colour code. Bonnie’s exquisite maxi is by designer - Rose Malteno.

Her friend Sivu Madikana enjoys that it is the first event of the year, and that it sets the pace for other events throughout the year. He is fully dressed by C-squared.

Muzi Mthombeni loves that the event is an upmarket event, which allows you to dress your best.

From left – Sivu Madikana, Muzi Mthombeni, Siv Ngesi Bonnie and friend

I was very impressed with actor Siv Ngesi’s African attire and could not resist enquiring more behind the inspiration of his native look. “As a Xhosa man, I love and celebrate my culture. If a Scottish male can wear a kilt, I do not see why I cannot wear my full traditional outfit.”

He is not only an extremely talented actor, but he designed his outfit well. Great look Siv!

Tracey Lange stunned the crowd in her ‘all-white ensemble’. She was dressed by Jacque Le Grange, with jewellery by Shimansky and her makeup and hair by Kyra Laubsher.

Siv in his traditional attire

Tracey Lange looking stunning in Jaque Le Grange

Amongst the guests were Australian based designers of ‘Button Brothers’, Singa Mutanda, Marvin Holder and Hubert Gutsa, who are well acquainted with luxury fashion, as their range is bespoke menswear. They were all dressed by their own label.

The designers behind the Australian label Button Brothers & Mthoko Masondo of Dapper’M Bespoke Suits

As the interviewing continued and people were enjoying the garden parties, it was time for one of the features of the event – the announcement of the best dressed.

Camilla Beazley claimed the prize as the best dressed woman in a Ted Baker dress while Elzette Gustavsson won best hat, in her own creation, and Hurbert Gutsa was the best dressed male in his label ‘Button Brothers’. The prizes included a five night stay in London and two tickets to attend the LÓrmarins luncheon at the Glorious Goodwood.

The winners from left: Best Hat: Elzette Gustavsson, Best Dressed Male: Hurbert Gutsa, Best Dressed Woman: Canilla Beazley

A huge congratulations to the winners. However, the pair who stole the show was L’Ormarins Queens plate winner Legal Eagle and jockey Anton Marcus.

Anton Marcus with winning horse; Legal Eagle

The event ended on a high note with an onsite afterparty.

The event organiser, Katherine Gray, mentioned that the first LQP event hosted only 40 guests, and has since grown to 5000. She credited part of the event’s success to its sponsors and looks forward to even bigger events in the future.

lqp.co.za