DEIGHTON CUP STYLE
What to wear on race day
When it comes to a day at the races in Vancouver, it doesn’t get fancier than the Deighton Cup.
For 10 years, the event has celebrated horse racing and high style — not to mention delicious food and drinks — through its afternoon of activities at Hastings Racecourse. And this year’s event is slated to be bigger, better and more stylish than ever before.
Tyson Villeneuve, the event’s co-organizer with The Social Concierge, chatted with Postmedia News about the Deighton Cup, what’s new and what to wear.
Q For those who aren’t familiar, what is the Deighton Cup?
A The Deighton Cup is Vancouver’s most fashionable and flirtatious daytime reverie. For the last 10 years, a fantastic cross section of interesting and engaging people have been coming to enjoy a good old fashioned day at the races. Part Kentucky Derby, part Royal Ascot, the Deighton Cup has evolved into its own brand of flair and culture. The style is elegant yet fun and cheeky with both sexes dressing the part and having a blast while doing it. From live jazz and funk bands, incredible food and drink, art installations and heart pounding horse races, the Deighton Cup lights up Hastings Racecourse like no other day of the year and has become one of the city’s ‘must attend’ cultural events of the summer.
Q The event is celebrating its 10th anniversary. How has it changed since the start?
A The Deighton Cup is in a constant state of evolution. Like any great event, there are always new additions and a commitment to a core of good times. What originally started as a gathering of friends in the Marquee Tent, grew into the grassy knoll with leisure games and luxury vehicles. In further years, a cigar lounge, fashion marketplace and wine garden were added. Then came the launch of the annual mixology competition featuring some of the province’s finest bartenders — The Cocktail Jockey — now in its sixth year. From the Style Stakes Awards for best dressed, to the newly launched Pearl Trophy last year for our oyster shucking competition, there’s always something new and fun to do at The Deighton Cup.
Q And anything special planned for the 10th anniversary?
A Naturally! In addition to launching an even bigger art curatorial program than ever before and expanding deeper into the concourse of Hasting Racecourse, the food program this year is really going to shine. For the first time ever, to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’ve partnered with renowned culinary partners to deliver more fare variety at the event than ever before. Earls is creating a custom menu for the event and Hawksworth has designed stunning picnic baskets for the VIP tables and suites. To deepen the offerings, we also have cuisine from Chambar, Minami, Pawn Shop, Fanny Bay Oysters, Dixie BBQ, Crab Park Chowdery and Riz will be making sushi doughnuts.
Q The Deighton Cup is as much about fashion as it is about having a day at the races. What more can you share about that?
A Half of the fun that comes with attending the Deighton Cup is both planning your ensemble and spying on what others are peacocking on the concourse. Vancouver definitely comes out to play and everyone puts their best fashion foot forward. Our annual Style Stakes Competition awards the best dressed of the day, doled out to the most put together outfits for ladies (the Belle Du Jour) and gentlemen (the Gallant Sartorialist). All you have to do to enter is be at the event and our esteemed fashion judges will scour the crowds live to place a ‘finalist’ sash on whomever they deem is a showstopper.
Q What are the essential elements of a great Deighton Cup outfit?
A The real trick to nailing Deighton Cup style is to be comfortable in what you’re wearing, smart about the selections — and then push the envelope a bit further than how you would normally dress up; Adding the extra accents and colour is key! A fine hat or fascinator is always a good idea, but adding a personally significant item that has a narrative you can share over a glass of champagne gives the outfit an extra twist.
Q How can people get involved in this year’s event?
A Obviously, we can be found all over social media at @deightoncup, but tickets are available exclusively online at deightoncup.com. All VIP tables and suites are sold out but general admission festival passes are still readily available.
Q Lastly, what’s next? Any future plans for the event you can share?
A Echoing the popularity of the Deighton Cup here in Vancouver, on May 26, we successfully launched our new sister event in Toronto — The Greenwood Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack. The event far exceeded our expectations. We hosted over 1,000 guests for our first year and we are now looking at exciting new elements for 2019 that we can incorporate into both cities.