Congratulations to the Longines Most Elegant Woman: Kelly Davis!
It is definitely a tough feat to win a Longines Conquest Classic Timepiece. Belmont Stakes may have been the hardest out of all three of the Triple Crown Jewels. With the New York City Fashion just flowing to the racetrack, each lady dressed their best with an attitude. No race’s fashion portrayed it better than Belmont Stakes: Elegance with an Attitude. Bri Mott caught up with the Longines Most Elegant Woman, Kelly Davis from NYC.
Tell me full details on your outfit from hat to shoes, where you purchased etc. (tell about making your hat).
- My jumpsuit is from a small boutique on the upper west side in NYC: ShiShi. Interestingly enough, I have a horrible time trying to find jumpsuits and rompers that fit my frame (hello girls with hips!). A friend recommended I try this place, and within 15 minutes I was sold not only on the jumpsuit, but a few other outfits as well. Enter this boutique at your own risk!
- The wrap belt is black python leather and is also from ShiShi—that’s another dangerous thing about this boutique, they accessorize your entire outfit before you can even look in the mirror. Really now, you have been warned.
- As I mentioned during the Longines competition, the thoroughbred brooch I wore is a family heirloom. We have owned horses since before I was even born. I was that kid who grew up with an actual pony.
- Wedges: Levity from DSW. I did stilettos last year, and learned my lesson.
- Pearl bracelet (for that dash of traditionalism): Givenchy
- Rings: an eclectic mix from artists all over NYC. Check out the East Village on Bowery (near 6th Ave) during Saturday afternoons, and eat your heart out.
- White clutch to break up the all-black outfit and to highlight the white accent flowers in my hat: From the boutique, Francesca’s. Some great style of your own here, Bri! (***Bri Mott and Kelly sported the same clutch!!)
And the pièce de résistance: My hat. I started designing my own hats last year when I couldn’t find a design I liked for a price I was willing to pay. However, finding basic sinamay hats that you won’t feel terrible making revisions to and that your wallet can handle is quite the tall order. Enter the tiny hat store, LaCrasia in Grand Central Terminal. They have beautiful hats ranging from extravagant millinery to simple sinamay hats that I could build upon. I originally spotted a lavender hat I wanted to wear this year, but by the time I went back to purchase it, it was gone (now that I think about it, divulging the name and location of my secret hat store may not have been the best idea!). However, the black hat was my second choice, and it ended up being exactly what I needed.
For this hat, I used simple silk flowers, black glitter tulle, lots of craft adhesive, and hours of hand sewing. From my lost lavender hat, and also to pay tribute to California Chrome, I wanted the centerpiece of the hat décor to be bright purple flowers. The white roses were a tribute to the white carnation blanket they give to the winning horse at the Belmont, and the red accent flowers were drawn from the plaid bow tie I picked out for my boyfriend and Belmont escort (dressing up is so much more fun in pairs!).
Arranging flowers on a hat is a lot like arranging flowers in a vase. You don’t want the same colors all clustered together, leaves should be used as accents, and adding a ribbon makes everything better!
What brought you to the races on Saturday?
Two words: Triple Crown! Well, let’s be serious, I would have been there regardless. I’m a country girl at heart, and will do anything to get around horses. The Belmont has become a bit of a tradition since living here in NYC.
Was this your first Belmont?
This was my second Belmont, but first Belmont Stakes with a Triple Crown contender. I knew they would be different experiences, but I could not have imagined the energy of Saturday’s Belmont. The crowd was so electric. And good heavens, the betting took forever, so I was able to save some money!
Will you attend other race days?
Absolutely. I would even like to attend other racetracks such as the Saratoga Race Course. New York has an incredibly rich history when it comes to horse racing. I don’t see how I can live in New York City and not explore all the tracks! As for the next big race, I would like to attend The Breeder’s Cup in California this fall. All in racetrack style of course.
Were you rooting for California Chrome?
I grew up reading the stories of Triple Crown winners and famous horses, especially my all-time favorite horse, and in my opinion the greatest that ever lived, Man O’War (whose owner the Belmont Stakes was named after!). To watch a triple crown won in person would be a literal childhood dream come true—I don’t know how you could NOT cheer for the contender! But besides all the Triple Crown business, the story behind California Chrome is so heart-warming, and it really brings us back to the simple love, respect, and admiration of these incredible horses instead of seeing them as a business to win a large purse off of. So to answer your question, I was absolutely cheering for Chrome (he even follows me on Instagram now!).
What would be your advice to women dressing for their next raceday?
Well, if they are reading Fashion at the Races, they are already in the right spot for inspiration. I definitely checked this blog out when compiling my own getup! But as for my own advice, I would say to merge the traditional with the modern. We get dressed up for the races because it is a tradition born from a beautiful history, but at the same time, it is 2014! Do not be afraid to try something new and incorporate some new trends that are currently popular (hello jumpsuit!). Also, if you can’t find it, then make it! Original is always the way to go, why do you think couture is known as the epitome of fashion? Finally, pay extra attention to the details. The actual star of my outfit was the brooch, not even my hat!
What would be your advice to ladies entering any future Longines competitions?
The Longines motto is “Elegance is an Attitude.” Channel that elegance and dash some attitude on top ladies! And to sound completely cliché: have fun. There is absolutely no reason to be nervous, the Longines group is quite possibly the sweetest on Earth.
What do you love most about your Longines watch?
If you love horses, then right out of the gate, you love Longines. But now, after being an official Longines watch owner for a whole 48 hours—of which I have not taken the watch off—I would definitely say the trademark elegance is my favorite part. It is shiny without being gaudy, sparkly without being flashy, and sweet mother of pearl, the face of the watch is stunning! If I walked into a Longines store, this is the precise watch I would have picked out—it really feels like this watch was made specifically for me. Thank you Longines!
