Vibe Check: Racing and Rosé
Saturday's soirée slayed: Fashion show by Miss Scarlett, plus party pics and chatter.
If your social media feeds were packed with models strutting the catwalk over the weekend and you don’t really know why—or you’re just in the market for more details on Saratoga’s stylish day in the track wear sun—this post’s for you.
The second annual Racing and Rosé fashion show and brunch party was a lovely reason to get all dolled up on a Saturday morning, beckoning about 200 guests to the sold out National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame fundraiser for some breakfast wine (courtesy of La Crema), brunch fare (thank you, PDT Market) and fashion (applause for fashion designer and Miss Scarlett owner Jennifer Marcellus).
Throw in an A-list co-host—Carson Kressley looking dapper in seersucker—and it was one heck of a soirée. [Click on the image below to see his full look.]
Eager VIP guests—whose tickets scored them some extra time with Carson—started pouring in half an hour early and headed straight to the museum’s side garden for their first glass of rosé and a photo—by Morgan Campbell Photo—with the charismatic Queer Eye OG and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge.
The tireless Texan Mary Evridge Barker floated in wearing a bright coral dress expertly accented by a beautiful turquoise necklace, elegantly saying her hellos to friends she keeps in touch with throughout the year on Facebook. Garry and Joyce White made their rounds, Joyce sporting an elegant and enormous polka dotted hat from Saratoga Trunk: “I’m channeling Pretty Woman—not Barbie,” she said. “This year, it’s all about the hat. Adding anything else would be too much.” Maggie Quinn—in a stunning strapless number—remained on the lookout for birthday girl Heidi Shull, who arrived fashionably late(r).
After photos with Carson, the VIP crowd made their way to the main event, which was already in full swing. Jacky Ross pointed to the floor, admitting she was wearing “winter” shoes under her two-piece, hot pink ensemble. “These pants are so long, and I didn’t have time to get them hemmed,” she said. “You can’t seem them, but it’s so hot out!”
After some bites to eat and some more rosé or a Day Chaser by Woodchuck, guests found their seats along the runway. Carson and his co-announcer, Saratoga Living cover star Acacia Clement, kicked off the fashion show. It was an exciting show—the 41 (!) fashions included Jen’s signature scarf dresses, party frocks, super-feminine little numbers, and sleek pants looks. And since this was a Saratoga track wear event, each and every last look was accessorized with fascinators and handbags. The models finished wearing the event’s signature color—yup, rosé—and shy Jen came out for a quick bow.
“My latest design includes a racehorse and roses in the fabric print, and of course I also had to design it in my signature scarf dress,” Jen said. “Beyond planning the show, a lot of effort was put into creating the perfect accessories and fascinators to go with each of the 41 looks showcased in the fashion show. Each look has something I designed—if not the clothing, the handbag or fascinator.
At the very last minute I added my pink ostrich clutch from my wedding to go with the last pink looks and without me knowing, one of my sales girls sold it!!”
After a fashion show, fashionistas are going to fashion. And then it was off to the races…a slightly rainy Jim Dandy awaited.
—Abby