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Feathers, capes and even tennis balls took the centerstage at the fashionable Style Stakes event on the sidelines of the Dubai World Cup. Men and women showed off their impeccable yet unique fashion sense as they strutted down the runway on Saturday (March 28) at the Meydan Grandstand. 

Dubai resident Maria Petrova caught everyone’s attention with her unique hat that had several tennis balls stacked on it. “I have been in the tennis industry for over 30 years and I wanted to wear a hat that paid homage to that,” she said. She arrived at the competition wearing an all-black ensemble and carrying a tennis ball Kate Spade bag. 

She admitted that her decision to make her hat was a last-minute one. “I was at the tennis court when I got the idea,” she said. “I spent 17 hours over two days making the hat. I first made one but I didn’t like it so I remade it. It was a learning process for me.”

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The Style Stakes is one of the most keenly awaited features of the Dubai World Cup. It gives prizes to the best dressed men, women and couples in addition to recognizing the best traditional wear and most beautiful hat. 

Maria Petrova

One of the judges at the events was Evelyn McDermott, a former winner of the competition and now a milliner. She explained what she will be judging on. “I was looking for elegance,” she said. “The contestants should have a well put together outfit and most importantly they should be enjoying themselves. We have had a difficult month and it is great to see everyone dressed up and looking good.”

Evelyn McDermott

Azerbaijan national Aida Abdullah came dressed in a Korean hanbok dress to participate in the traditional dress category. She hoped that she would get third time lucky. “This is the third year that I am participating in the competition,” she said. “In the previous years, I wore Chinese and Japanese traditional clothes.”

Aida Abdullah

Meanwhile, for Joanne Lucas, the decision to participate was a decision she took after she arrived at the event. She was at the Dubai World Cup because her horse was competing. “When I came in, people started telling me that I should participate,” she said. “So I registered as a last minute thing.”