Home Life Style Royal Ascot’s first creative director reveals he got his big break thanks to Harry Styles, who was his first client straight out of university.

Royal Ascot’s first creative director reveals he got his big break thanks to Harry Styles, who was his first client straight out of university.

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Harry Styles appears on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2015 wearing a t-shirt from Fletcher's Graduate collection.

Royal Ascot’s first creative director has spoken about how Harry Styles was his first client and says he wants racegoers to mix up their outfits for this year’s event.

Fashion designer Daniel Fletcher graduated from the renowned Central Saint Martins College of the University of the Arts London in 2015.

Fletcher launched his graduate collection shortly after leaving university, but little did he know that one of the world’s most popular stars would be his first client and ultimately help him launch his brand.

After showing off her designs at an event, stylist Harry Lambert said he thought Harry Styles would like her clothes. A week later, the former Only one direction singer I bought them all.

Speaking ahead of Royal Ascot, which starts tomorrow, Daniel said: “He bought all the shirts in my collection, then I made some custom ones for him and then it really took off.”

Harry Styles appears on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2015 wearing a t-shirt from Fletcher’s Graduate collection.

Daniel Fletcher said he wants racegoers to adopt new ways of dressing instead of

Daniel Fletcher said he wants racegoers to adopt new ways of dressing instead of “sticking to what they know.”

“When Harry wore my shirts for the first time, it was cool because I was a student just out of college and I had this megastar walking through my (designs).

“It’s a really surreal feeling, especially when I sewed them all myself (and used) fabrics that I printed here in London and drew myself.”

He altered Styles’ clothes, making them an inch longer, and says all of his shirts have stayed that way since then.

Styles wore Fletcher’s navy and light blue striped shirt during an interview on Jonathan Ross’ show, giving him the boost he needed to launch his career.

Fletcher, originally from the northwest of England, has since worked with other big names in the music industry including Joe Jonas and landed the role of Royal Ascot’s first creative director.

He said: “It’s quite daunting for me to become Royal Ascot’s first creative director because here we’re talking about dress codes dating back to the 19th century.”

“I went through all the sets from hundreds of years and tried to pay homage to them, but also bring something new and a fresh approach to them.”

Fletcher, who competed in the Next in Fashion program in 2020, wants racegoers to adopt new ways of dressing for the event, rather than sticking to what they know.

Harry Styles bought Fletcher's entire Graduate collection. Above: Pictured one of his designs in 2015.

Harry Styles bought Fletcher’s entire Graduate collection. Above: Pictured one of his designs from 2015.

Harry Styles is pictured wearing one of Fletcher's t-shirts at Carpool Karaoke and was his first customer when he graduated from college in 2015.

Harry Styles is pictured wearing one of Fletcher’s t-shirts at Carpool Karaoke and was his first customer when he graduated from college in 2015.

While all the dress codes remain the same, the designer’s goal was to give revelers an “unexpected chance” of what is acceptable to wear.

For example, in one of the looks a feminine dress appears with ties, flower bags and berets. Fletcher said she brought elements of outfits one would expect to see “in the boardroom or in the school uniform” into a flowy silk dress to liven up traditional ensembles.

For the first time in 300 years, Royal Ascot has unveiled its lookbook and Fletcher explains its designers for each edition.

The Best of British Edit draws on Daniel’s lifelong fascination with British heritage and features contrasting stripes and ties paired with extravagant silk dresses.

He said New Guard Edit is dedicated to the next generation of independent brands and designers, with a new vision of special occasion dressing.

The Conscious Edit aims to show how race-goers can dress while thinking about the impact their fashion choices have on the environment. This includes a custom suit designed and manufactured in London by Fletcher using a lightweight tweed.

Fletcher, originally from the northwest of England, has since worked with other big names in the music industry such as Joe Jonas.

Fletcher, originally from the northwest of England, has since worked with other big names in the music industry such as Joe Jonas.

Above: A look taken from Daniel Fletcher's The Best of British Edit for Royal Ascot

Above: A look taken from Daniel Fletcher’s The Best of British Edit for Royal Ascot

Fletcher is pictured altering a hat on a model's head for her lookbook photo shoot.

Fletcher is pictured altering a hat on a model’s head for her lookbook photo shoot.

Daniel spoke of his

Daniel talked about his “signature look” while launching the lookbook, which includes “building an outfit based on neutral colors and my love of tailoring.”

Fletcher said Luxury Edit is for racing fans looking to enhance their appearance and add a touch of glamour.

Some pieces included have intricate and unique elements in the designs, for example, the intarsia weaves in Missoni dresses, Zimmerman pleats, and Marc Jacobs draping.

While the designer says you can never go wrong with a classic top hat and tailcoat, Tailoring Edit highlights other ways to incorporate tailoring into your race day attire.

The history of fashion at Royal Ascot

Late 1700s

It was Beau Brummell, a close friend of the Prince Regent, who decreed that “dressy men should wear fitted black coats and white ties with trousers”, and this set the tone for the dress code still followed by men in the Royal Household. Enclosure.

1830s

Queen Victoria’s visit to Royal Ascot saw her arrive in a pretty lace dress with a flared skirt and shawl. She also started a craze for the goalkeeper’s hat, which protected the wearer from male eyes.

1890s

With the arrival of a new century, fashion took on an almost celebratory tone. The skirts were less wide, but the silhouettes attracted attention with angular hips and puffed sleeves. The hats were large and full of feathers and decorations.

1900

One of the most iconic images in fashion; Audrey Hepburn’s in My Fair Lady was inspired when costume designer Cecil Beaton saw images of Black Ascot. The 1910 Royal Ascot meeting was in full mourning for the death of King Edward.

1920s

Hemlines and cuts were shorter in the 1920s, reflecting a postwar generation’s rebellion against old traditions. Pearls and fur were the accessories of the time.

1950s

Christian Dior’s new look, a small waist and full skirt, was proving popular; However, it was when the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth and her elegant sister, Princess Margaret, wore the style at Royal Ascot that it became cemented in history.

1960s

The glamorous profile of Royal Ascot was raised when Italian actress Sophia Loren was photographed at the Royal Enclosure. In modern times some of the biggest names in Hollywood and fashion have attended.

1970s

Trouser suits became more popular after their introduction into the dress code in 1971. Gertrude Shilling, Ascot’s mascot, delighted the press with her extravagant outfits. One year, one of her son David’s millinery designs outperformed the Shilling’s long-wheeled Rolls Royce, so the hat had to follow in a van behind her.

1980s

Sharp lines and bright colors took center stage during this decade. With statement hats and pointy heels, there was little room for flowing florals in ’80s glamour.

2012

Royal Ascot officially launches its Racegoer Style Guide outlining the dress code regulations for the Royal Enclosure and Queen Anne Enclosure (formally known as the Grandstand).

2017

The jumpsuit is formally accepted into the Royal Enclosure Dress Code and the Queen Anne Enclosure Dress Code extends to the new Village Enclosure.

2018

Royal Ascot presents style guides for Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure.

2020

Royal Ascot is being held behind closed doors for the first time in the event’s history during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

Navy blue morning suits were permitted in the Royal Enclosure.

Source: Royal Ascot

Fletcher said: “This season, I wanted to bring a new take on racing fashion and the magical world of special occasion dressing.” The inspiration arose from my lifelong fascination with British heritage and the stylish characters one might encounter at the racecourse this summer, while also paying homage to the variety of styles on display at each venue, and my favorite looks from Royal Ascot through the decades.

‘This includes my signature style of creating an outfit based on neutral colors and my love of tailoring, juxtaposed with more playful maximalist looks that highlight our sense of British sartorial elegance and Royal Ascot glamour.

‘Whether extravagant or understated, Royal Ascot gives us the opportunity to embrace the famous dress codes and dress smartly, encouraging freedom of expression through dress.

“For 2024, I want to capture that joy and inspire racegoers to push the limits with their own unique style and embrace their own creativity.”

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