The Style Files : Hot to trot fashion at the Royal Turf Club Premier Cup 

The Royal Turf Club, a club dedicated to promoting ethical, free and fair horse racing in Sri Lanka recently concluded its inaugural Premier Cup in Nuwara Eliya. The fashion stakes were high for the Premier cup with both established and emerging designers creating collections that showcased the spirit of fashion at the races. Fashion is ever evolving but with racing fashion an essence of glamour, elegance and femininity has always been key and the designers embraced that ethos. 

Charini Suriyage opened the catwalk show with her fierce fashion in monochrome. Her collection had overtones of a dark femme fatale beauty, untamable free spirit and modern allure. Charini's collection revolved around a counterpoint of soft and structured elements. An abundance of finely batiked textiles were offset by clean lines and precisely cut shapes; craftsmanship was of the highest standard. Charini's graceful signature styling made for a lineup in which glamour had a touch of delicate, modern ease. 

The second collection showcased was by Angelina Seneviratne whose popular label Curves by Angie was launched in 2005. Her collection was all about duality with revers-able coats taking centre stage. Known for her injection of modernity full-skirted dress coats were left sleeveless, jackets were cropped or fell just above the ankle lending everything a feeling of nonchalance. The Curves woman was a little unravelled which was cool and romantic in equal parts. 

Ridma Samaranayake prepared a feast for the eyes, the attitude of her collection was of a woman who is sensual and comfortable in herself, she's unapologetically feminine and doing it for herself. She's a woman, not a girl. Sometimes fashion can often feel a world away from the social spheres most of us inhabit but Ridma's collection married the two. Her hats were intrinsically wearable and the perfect choice for the April racing calendar. 

Nayani Fernando's collection in its palest incarnations was sublime. Classically beautiful and pleasingly commercial looks were the order of the day. She also spawned an interesting exploration of silhouette. For an emerging designer Nayani has managed to coin a silhouette - you know as soon as you see it that it's hers. The Nayani Fernando woman was  simple, humble ethereally beautiful. She took simple fabrics and gave them this artisanal, couture and hand–touched quality. 

The show finale was by renowned designer Ramona Oshini. Her collection comprised of  modern, of-the-moment clothes that were so spectacularly magical, so exquisitely engineered and crafted and decorated they make you swoon, ache with desire, and after they’d made their debut on the catwalk rush to go out and buy them! Thankfully Zudhora is where you’ll find them. This collection featured pieces to incorporate into your wardrobe for a look will take you almost anywhere, anytime. 

The Royal Turf Club has an exciting race calendar planned for the April season with events on the 10th, 16th, 23rd and 30th including the Kunnigal Stud Million - the biggest race of the season. Fashion forms an integral part of the event and is a platform for emerging and established designers to showcase their talent, so don’t miss them. For more information on the designers collections and where to purchase them please contact www.royalturfclub.com. 

Text by Minoli Ratnayake 
Photographs courtesy Sagara Lakmal De Mel