For the first time in over a decade, Ascot Racecourse has unveiled a new look and feel for its annual Style Guide, which has been renamed The Royal Ascot Lookbook.
This year sees the British racing institution take a new direction, producing the Royal Ascot Lookbook 2023. The inspirational editorial comprises six fashion edits: Luxe, Tailoring, Pre-Loved & Rental, Vintage, High Street and Emerging Designer.
Partnering with world-renowned photographer Damian Foxe and legendary stylist Luke Jefferson Day, the new Lookbook perfectly encapsulates the zeitgeist of occasionwear dressing for the spring/summer 2023 season.
The Official Royal Ascot transformation of the Style Guide offers inspiration across the Royal Enclosure, Queen Anne Enclosure and Village Enclosure, encouraging racegoers to dream up an outfit that is authentic to their personal style and approach to sartorial shopping.
The new direction focuses on a deeply original sense of personal style inspired by fashion magazine editorial, elevating the creative direction to entice racegoers to get lost in the magical world of occasionwear. From retro-inspired vintage looks evocative of the 1970s to exquisite tailoring and avant-garde millinery, the Lookbook is an inspirational fashion feast with inspiration to suit all budgets.
LUXE EDIT
Featuring soft, buttery silk gowns by Roksanda, velvet mirrored suiting by Gucci and perfectly paired three- piece morning dress by Favourbrook, the Luxe Edit showcases a reimagined approach to designer dressing.
PRE-LOVED & RENTAL EDIT
With sustainable dressing at the forefront of the style agenda, the Pre-Loved & Rental Edit showcases spectacular secondhand and hireable fashion from leaders in the rental space including HURR, Selfridges Rental, Moss Bros and Oliver Brown.
HIGH STREET EDIT
Depicting style that transcends ‘off the peg’ suit buying, the High Street Edit sparks intrigue in summer linens, mint tailoring, alternative prints and glamorous dresses suitable for all enclosures.
VINTAGE EDIT
Complete with sleek 1980s skirt suits by Thierry Mugler, preppy blazers by Vivienne Westwood and flamboyant fuchsia silhouettes, the Vintage Edit evokes a sleek and surprisingly modern aesthetic for raceday styling, inherited from iconic wardrobes of yesteryear.
TAILORING EDIT
Taking pleats and darts to the next level, the immaculate tailoring is here to make a statement in the Lookbook. Daring colour block suits, contemporary soft shades, and traditional fine tailoring, the Tailoring Edit presents inspiration from Zimmermann, Edward Sexton and RXQUETTE.
EMERGING DESIGNER EDIT
Taking pleats and darts to the next level, the immaculate Celebrating looks from the most coveted up-and-coming fashion designers. Luke pairs billowing S.S Daley checked suit with epic dream catcher-inspired millinery crafted by Victoria Grant. Never-included designers Richard Quinn, Charles Jeffery LOVERBOY and Ahluwalia, are heralded in the Emerging Designer Edit.
Felicity Barnard, Commercial Director, Ascot Racecourse, commented on this year’s Lookbook: “There are very few events that allow people to embrace dressing for a special occasion on such a global scale and each year Royal Ascot becomes the most followed display of sartorial elegance and individual flair – a true celebration of style that is woven into the very fabric of Ascot’s DNA. I look forward to seeing the racecourse brimming with colour and energy as we head into the spring/summer season.
“This year sees an exciting evolution for what has been known as the Royal Ascot Style Guide for more than a decade. For 2023 Ascot is proud to unveil the Royal Ascot Lookbook where, for the first time, we look to inspire people through six new fashion edits that draw from current styling trends. Responsible style remains a key part of Royal Ascot as we continue to find ways to dress, whether that is renting occasionwear or investing in forever pieces.”
Luke Jefferson Day, stylist, comments: “This season I wanted to encourage unexpected freedom under the guidance of the enclosure dress codes and inspire racegoers to be a little more unconventional and inventive in the way they dress up, and how they source their looks. We’ve championed innovative British designers, whilst also showcasing international brands from further afield. I want to excite people to think outside of the box – whether that be shopping resourcefully on the high street or by being more eco-conscious through hiring a look or finding a rare vintage gem.”
Damian Foxe, photographer and narrator of the Lookbook comments: “As a long-time collaborator of Royal Ascot, it has been a joy to be part of the Lookbook’s evolution as it moves away from a means to communicate the dress code, and instead towards becoming a source of fashion inspiration and a bellwether in the world of occasion dressing.
“For 2023, we have decided to completely move away from creating a Lookbook dictated by enclosure, in favour of one which puts style centre stage. In many ways, I think this reflects what we are seeing as the evolution of style at Royal Ascot and the myriad of looks on show from its racegoers.”
Karen can usually be found glued to her computer or at the stables. Having edited several national magazines she co-founded Eclipse Magazine in 2008 after realising that many of her friends were nervous about going racing due to lack of information – what to wear, how to bet etc.
She absolutely loves her job (how many people can say that?!) and is truly grateful to all supporters of and contributors to Eclipse Magazine.
If you are reading this she would like to say THANK YOU! (And please spread the word about Eclipse…!!)
