Rainy day can’t muddy celebrity fashion sense
Preakness draws Ne-Yo, Chanel Iman, De Laurentiis and plenty of Ravens
The absence of Under Armour’s typical celebrity-filled tent didn’t stop the stars from showing up to the 143rd Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
Among the rich and famous attending the race were Supermodel Chanel Iman, singer Ne-Yo (who sang the national anthem), actress Annalynne McCord (“90210” and “Nip/Tuck”), Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, “Real Housewives of Potomac” cast member Ashley Darby, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and actress/model Charlotte McKinney (“Flatliners” and “Baywatch”).
“It’s my first time here,” exclaimed McKinney, who dazzled in a pink Bec and Bridge strapless dress and white strappy high heels. “It’s also my first time in Baltimore. I might have to change to a later flight.”
Most of the celebrities congregated in a chalet built by the Stronach Group, which owns Pimlico Race Course. The massive, two-story structure offered first-rate views of the race track and was filled with plush furniture, an open bar, betting stations, widescreen televisions and decadent bites like deviled eggs with lump crab meat.
Despite the rain, celebrities came dressed to impress.
De Laurentiis wore a tangerine-colored frock with a matching hat and white strappy heels adorned with gold studs. Darby wore a pink and multicolored strapless dress with a cut out along the midsection and brought a pair of rainboots. Her bold blue fascinator and jeweled cylindrical clutch completed the look.
Iman, sporting a baby bump, wore a cream and floral dress by high-end designer Zimmerman and a floppy hat.
McCord sparkled in an ethereal white strapless high-low dress with a sweetheart neckline adorned in crystals and floral appliqués by Hayley Paige.
“I’m here to watch some horses, I think,” she joked.
Miss Maryland 2017 Kathleen Masek wore her pageant sash over a bold red dress and bedazzled heels adorned with the Maryland flag.
A number of Tucker’s Baltimore Ravens teammates — and some former teammates — were also in attendance: linebackers Anthony Levine and C.J. Mosley, nose tackle Michael Pierce, offensive tackle Alex Lewis, tight end Maxx Williams, and former linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo. Other NFL players that visited the chalet or hit the red carpet included Washington Redskins players Kevin Hogan, Colt McCoy and Nick Sundberg, and New York Jets players Spencer Long and Brent Qvale.
New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick was spotted in the corporate tent area, too.
Governor Larry Hogan, who wore a pink shirt and tan blazer combination, stayed on the top floor of the chalet, a VIP area.
Former Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake was seated at the entrance of the structure.
“I was pleased to see the investment Stronach made,” said Rawlings-Blake, who wore a black-and-white Clover Canyon dress with a subtle multicolored floral print, a black-and-white fascinator by Marjae, black wedge rubber Hunter boots and a Hunter trench coat. “It’s great to see Baltimore hospitality at its best.“
Mayor Catherine Pugh closed out the red carpet wearing a sleeveless black-andwhite-printed fit-and-flare dress by Oscar de la Renta and a bowed and feathered hat by Christine A. Moore. She carried her Tory Burch heels while wearing boots because of the rain.
The chalet was situated next to a smaller, greenhouse-like structure that a security guard said was listed as “Mount Vernon Glass Chalet.” The party inside remained a mystery.
“We don’t know any more than that,” the security guard said.
An event organizer declined to discuss who arranged the private event.