There were no coltish moves on display as hundreds of Dubai's most fashion-conscious men and women put their best foot forward in the fiercely-contested Jaguar Style Stakes (JSS) on Saturday.
A total of 400 contestants made a bid this year to impress the judges in categories including Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Couple, Most Creative Hat and Best Hat categories.
"It was hard work for us since there were so many contestants who impressed us with their fashion, their creativity and their enthusiasm," said Simon Lock, creative director of Dubai Fashion Week, who was brought on board to judge JSS. He was accompanied by Amato Couture designer Furne One, Jaguar Marketing Manager Nicola Gibson and stylist Mandi Kingsbury. "Mostly, we were on the same page and gave full marks to all those who opted to be chic and simple. Ashley Klinger was a stand-out in both the Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Couple categories — she made great use of colour and didn't try too many things at the same time," said Lock of their final selection.
Totally unexpected
It was a double delight for Klinger, 30, who put her winning look together for under Dh2,500. "I was never going to enter the Best Dressed Lady contest; winning both titles was totally unexpected. I began shopping four days ago and what do I say — we just work great under stress. I was planning to wear another outfit, but it fell through because it didn't get delivered on time via online shopping. But getting two prizes in one night is just fabulous," said Klinger, clad in a blue dress by Perth designer Miin with a hat plucked from Oasis hat shop in Wafi.
As Best Dressed Lady, Klinger drives away with the top prize — use of a Jaguar XK for a year — plus a stay at Bab Al Shams, an HTC smartphone, and a pamper package from NStyle. All other winners received variations on that package, with a weekend's use of the Jaguar and brunches at Meydan or Bab Al Shams.
Colour-block
The gentlemen weren't far behind as they attempted to colour-block and embrace the latest runway trends with success. Tunisian-born Khalid Gani, who won the Best Dressed Man honour, couldn't believe that he had won the top slot in the men's style section.
"I feel so honoured because I have designed my clothes. It's all mine. Dubai has appreciated my creativity and I feel fantastic. Now, I can't wait to drive the Jaguar," said Gani. His upturned moustache added to the dapper look.
Unbridled creativity was also given a nod when it came to spotting the winner for the Most Creative Hat — a new category introduced this year. The battle was on between Yasmine Habash and Mika Lombard who were sporting giant replicas of a golden horse and a black towering Burj Khalifa on their heads.
"It weighs more than four kilos but it's wonderful to see people's reaction to my headgear. It goes with the theme of the Dubai World Cup," said Habash, delicately pointing to her golden horse-hat prior to winning the Most Creative Hat prize. In an impromptu decision, the judges (impressed by the creativity on display) were compelled to add a runners-up slot to the Most Creative Hat category giving the iconic Burj Khalifa replica its due.
"It was tough decision to choose just one winner. But we decided to go with the horse as the top player because it fit the occasion well," said Lock. The winning hat pieces were put together by Formul'A French Hairdressing Academy and Dubai-based salon VOG colour your life and are made from real hair — extensions, that is — on top of the models' own hair.
Meanwhile, DFW regular Katie Shaver, who took home the Best Dressed Couple title last year, returned to claim the Best Hat crown this year. "I am so thrilled to win Best Hat, it's a category I have never been considered for before. I owe it all to my fantastic milliner Karen Hamilton — she came up with the creation," said Shaver, who was clad in a pink Karen Millen dress with an Aldo gold clutch. The runner-up for Best Dressed Lady, Mildred Ellwood, opted for bright mustard tones to clinch the title.
"Let me put it this way, I read the fashion racing manuals pretty carefully and it said bright colours can win it for you. I can't believe I was chosen among so many beautiful women," said Ellwood, clad in a Michael Kors dress and Jonathan Howard floral fascinator.
"It's been a great night for all of us," she added.
