International fashion guru Gok Wan is offering Carlisle racegoers some handy hints and tips about how to win in the Ladies Night fashion stakes.
The star of TV’s How To Look Good Naked and Gok’s Clothes Roadshow is the special guest at Carlisle Racecourse’s annual Ladies Night meeting on Monday August 5.
As well as taking to the DJ decks, to lead the not-to-be-missed post-racing ‘Party In The Paddock’, Gok will also crown Cumbria’s most stylish racegoer.
For the second year running the racecourse is holding its Ladies Night ‘Style Awards’ which will see the best dressed racegoer walk away with a cheque for a cool £2,000.
Ladies Night – the UK’s only all-female jockey race meeting – is a hugely popular fixture in Cumbria’s social calendar, one which oozes chic, style, glamour and fun.
So, what are Gok’s top fashion tips ahead of Ladies Night?
He said: “My top 3 race fashion tips are…
Be comfortable. Being at the races is like being at the biggest wedding of your life so ensure you have some comfortable shoes, even if you want to wear heels on the day, pack some flats.
Do some form of customising. Race day is all about showing yourself off and is one of the biggest catwalks in the world so make sure you look unique and beautiful.
Make sure all your accessories show your personality. Whether that’s a clash of prints, a clash of colour, an enormous hat or the most beautiful demur fascinator – it’s got to show you!
What are your race day essentials for ladies to pack in their bags to ensure they have a stylish day without any fashion disasters?
“A top-up of makeup, a change of lipstick for the evening because you’ll usually end up staying for the party. Flat shoes, some form of cushion pad or plaster for the balls of your feet, and of course your race programme.”
Do you have any top tips for men attending the races who want to make a style statement?
“Depending on where you go, and how strict the dress code of the race meetings are, the lining of your suits, your socks, your tie, and all your accessories will become the biggest part of your expression. Keep it colourful, keep it bright and if I was you, I would clash the hell out of it.”
What are your top three songs to play on Spotify when getting ready for a big event such as the races?
“Rosie Gaines, Closer Than Close, Sandstorm, and Free From Desire.”
What are you most looking forward to at Carlisle Racecourse? What makes DJ’ing at racecourses different to any other gig?
“Racecourses for a DJ are an absolute dream; you have a ready-made party of hundreds or thousands of people who are there purely to have fun. There is nothing better than being a DJ and looking out into the crowd when they are jumping to your tunes.”
Tickets for Ladies Night are on sale now via carlisle.thejockeyclub.co.uk or by calling 0344 579 3002. Gates open on Monday August 5 at 2.45pm. First race is 5.45pm. Gok Wan’s DJ set will start after the last race.