Every March Dubai World Cup brings to the capital of the emirate the best horses around the world. It is a long-awaited event for all horses enthusiasts, but more than that, it is a special occasion to shine with elegance and style at the Style Stakes competition.
About Style Stakes
This competition is organized by That Dubai Girl, always takes place during Dubai World Cup, and selects the best in different categories.
- Most Creative Hat
- Most Creative Outfit
- Best Dressed Lady, and
- Best Dressed Gentleman
- and also a Best Dressed Couple
Goshopia presented a fully sustainable look that won the Most Creative Outfit category and got finalist as Most Creative Hat.
This look is full of meaning and beautiful stories. A common effort by people that truly believe that fashion needs to slow down, become eco-friendly, and be more socially aware.
Araceli Gallego– the mastermind behind this fantastic look and owner of Goshopia.com- shares, “ We wanted to break many stereotypes with this. Fashion is said to be the 2nd largest pollutant industry in the world, only behind Oil & Gas. That is why at Goshopia we focus on slow, sustainable, and socially responsible fashion. We want to show the world you can wear your values, no matter the occasion… At our store, you can find pieces to go to the beach, to the office, or to the Oscars. Sustainability is about the process. It is about quality and longevity, about good materials, innovation, and design…”
“Another example of stereotype breaking, Miah Llanes, our model for the day is from the Philippines. Over 20% of the Dubai population is from there and yet we don’t see too much representation in competitions like this. We chose her because she is an environmentalist and understands what we are about. ” states Gallego, also Country Coordinator of Fashion Revolution UAE.
“As the whole look is a work of love, and we are passionate about SDG 17, we want to thank Silke Styles, our stylist, and Tristan Czar, our makeup artist.”
BEHIND THE MOST CREATIVE LOOK AT STYLE STAKES
The Dress
This eye-catching number is made out of used coffee bags. Coffee bags are made of jute, a natural material that is biodegradable and can have so many more lives. Using principles of circular economy, the bags become gorgeous and unique dresses. This magic happens at the Atelier of Sylvia Calvo in Barcelona. By reusing discarded materials in clever ways, we are saving natural resources and energy.
The flowers detailing the dress are hand-cut from the coffee bags hand-sewn to the lower frontal side of the dress. The center of each flower is hand embroidered with 3 different natural precious stones Mother-of-Pearl, Citrin, and Green Agate. The gemstones are natural so they have beautiful properties upon the person wearing them. Beneath the dress is a natural lining, allowing the dress to have a nice fit to the waist continuing with an ample skirt to below the knees like an A shape.
The Hat
This fabulous hat that got to the finals is done by hand using haute couture sinamay and buntal -both natural palm fibers. The hat is to be worn vertically and is embellished with Faisal feathers and rachis that are shaped by hand using vapor and traditional techniques. The delicate flower is made in silk organza and every petal is molded patiently by hand. Even the Montesino Vilar logo is done by artisans in metal.
The Accessories
All the accessories have also a beautiful story behind them. The bag for example is made out of leftover wood from a furniture factory.
The earrings are gold plated and showcase a Tiger’s eye stone ring. It is all from a socially driven brand called Fugeelah. Funds from the sale of this gorgeous jewelry collection go to support a school of refugees in Malaysia. The bracelets are all handmade by a ladies’ artisan association from Morocco.
The brands collaborating
Goshopia is coming from Go+ Shop+ Utopia. A Dubai- based platform pioneering sustainable fashion in the region. Only fashion, beauty, and home decor brands that follow their 3 S’s or core values- Slow fashion, Sustainable and Social Responsibility- can join the platform. All the items of the look can be found on their website or at their Marina showroom.
Sylvia Calvo BCN is an eco-friendly and ethical fashion brand that includes sustainability from the design stage. Their manufacturing process is entirely handcrafted and uses ecologic materials, both organic and recycled, with minimal impact on the environment.
Montesinos Vilar is a heritage hat brand. Using only traditional techniques, they create made-to-order unique hats that are showcased and praised all over the world and worn by royalty and celebrities. Their craftsmanship is unparalleled and so is their use of natural dyes and materials.
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