Magnificent millinery for Ladies' Day at Ascot

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Royal Ascot, the showpiece event of the British flat-racing season, hosted its traditional Ladies' Day on Thursday, with the stands and enclosures packed with a sea of hats and designer outfits.

Despite rain that threatened to dampen the turf at the Berkshire racecourse, west of London, the usual display of outrageous fashions and eye-catching attire was much in evidence.

One Ascot milliner, Ilda Di-Vico, said she was up until the small hours putting the finishing touches to her top-to-toe scarlet creation for the busiest day of the five-day event.

"I was finishing the hat at 4:30 am (0330 GMT). I only design the hat once I know what the outfit, which I design myself, looks like," said Di-Vico, 39.

Practical clothing is cast off at...