Royal Ascot 201417 – 21 JuneLive on Channel 4

Gok WanCHANNEL 4’S ROYAL ASCOT FASHION CORRESPONDENT

So, I understand you’ve signed up tojoin Channel 4 Racing for Royal Ascotthis year.I know! Fabulous, isn’t it? I should addthat I’m not their new racing expert,fortunately. I’m the fashioncorrespondent. Anything that is aboutfeeling gorgeous and glamorous, andcelebrating a very big day, that is whatI’m there for.

What are you going to be doing, then?I’ll be there for the whole five daysreporting on fashion, who’s who, who’sthere. We’re filming loads of short filmscovering everything to do with theoccasion, to do with differentdesigners, the clothes, anything toreflect the glamour of the occasion.

Have you already recorded some ofthem?Yes, I’ve done some stuff aboutmenswear, looking at the heritage andall the efforts that go into the guysgetting ready for Royal Ascot. There’shundreds of years of hat-making, andall the rules and regulations, themorning coats, the shirt and tiecombinations. So we’ve done somefeatures on Savile Row and JermynStreet, and I’ll be interviewing theworld’s most famous hat designer. We’ll have these films going outthroughout the week.

Have you ever worn a morning suitbefore?I put my first morning suit on for thisphoto shoot. Most people that knowme would say that my trousers arenormally around my knees so as soonas the morning suit goes on, I tend tolook like a 14-year-old boy who hasnicked his dad’s clothes!

What can gents do to personalise theirlook when they’re in a morning suit?Well, there’s very little actually,because even adding a ribbon to yourtop hat is a complete no-no at RoyalAscot, especially if you’re in the RoyalEnclosure. The only things you can useto express yourself are your shirt-and-tiecombination, and then your cufflinks.And then it’s more hidden moments –the lining of your waistcoat or yourjacket – it’s all about hiddenpersonality.

Do you like the element of tradition atRoyal Ascot?I love it! I’m a stylist. My career is basedon challenging tradition, but it’s allabout taking classic stuff and twistingthat. When you see women on GoldCup Day and they’re all paradingalong with their avant-garde hats andthe latest trends, it’s all full of tradition.The hemlines are to the knee, the armsare covered, there are all these rulesand regulations. At the same time,there are little moments of new trends.

Are you keen to emphasise the Royalaspect of the whole event as well?Yes, it’s Royal Ascot. It’s an amazingevent for this country and nobodyquite does racing like the Brits. The ideaof getting invited into the RoyalEnclosure, or people being there to geta glimpse of the Queen, it’s so exciting.And there are some amazing shots ofher when she was younger – herpersonality comes out onracing days. She’s therescreaming at the horsesand jumping up and down.I love all of that, there’s areal theatre around it. Iremember being in adebate at drama schoolyears ago, when mylecturer turned around andsaid “Is football orhorseracing any differentto the theatre?” And it’snot at all. You still have anaudience, you still haveperformers, you still havedrama. And by adding theRoyal Family to Ascot,you’re adding a wholenew dimension of theatre.It’s fascinating.

What’s particularly infashion this summer? There’s going to be a lot ofmonochrome and quite alot of colour clash. Floralprints are a huge trendthroughout the whole ofthe summer as well. It’sgoing to feel very, verybeautiful English garden.Of course, there will be thebig-brimmed hats as welland this season we’vegone very clean and neat

with our tailoring, and we’ve put thaton to prints as well. So expect to seeloads and loads of sharp lines, whichwill be quite unusual for Ascot. I thinkit’ll be very exciting.

You’ve never been racing before.What are you looking forward to aboutbeing at the races?I’m really excited about the racing.I’ve filmed at a racecourse once, andit was fascinating. But I’ve never beento anything on this kind of scale before.I can’t wait. And I have to say, I quitelike betting. I’m Asian, of course I do! I’llbe taking some cash with me.

Have you yet met the national treasurethat is Clare Balding?I have met her before. I’m probablygoing to be bowing slightly, and askingher to marry me. She is so wonderful.And I’m really looking forward toseeing her in her element.

Gok Wan joins Channel 4 Racing as theRoyal Ascot Fashion Correspondent The following interview is available free for reproduction in full or in part. Please include the following tagline:Royal Ascot is live on Channel 4 from June 17 – 21 and includes seven QIPCO British Champions Series races.

COLOURBLOCKING:

Brighten up your Royal Ascotlook with a big, bold flash ofcolour. This vivid yellow dressis summery and the sleevesare fantastic for those of usconscious about the tops of

our arms.

Gok’s Royal AscotFashionSurvival tipsBe Foot perfect It’s a long day to be‘on-foot’ so women, definitely taketwo pairs of shoes – you’ll need totake those heels off at some point.

Get your underwear right Get yourfoundations right and everything elseshould fall into place. Get the supportyou need in all the right placesbecause that’s the last thing you wantto worry about on the day!

Are you fitted comfortably? The fit ofyour clothing has to be right. If you areliterally tied up like a turkey ready forbasting, you’re going to beuncomfortable.

Take a chance Of course you can getit wrong, but with clashing patterns,bright colours and bold prints a-plenty,chances are you will probably nail it –especially if you've read all my tips! Sobe daring and give it a go, you mightjust surprise yourself!

Flash that smile! There’s nothing sexierthan a smile and some confidence.So, step out with pride and show theworld how fabulous you are.

Cheers! Royal Ascot is the ultimatecelebration so make sure you treatyourself with a cheeky glass ofbubbles, and if you see me wanderingaround the paddock - mine’s a G&T!

All outfits courtesy of

www.fenwick.co.uk

“EveryoneShould Feel Royal AtRoyal Ascot!”

PRINTS: I am absolutely loving all the

fabulous summer prints out at the moment –

from eccentric patterns to the more subtle.

This fit and flair skirt is great for pear-shapes

and for emphasising those sexy curves.

◆ SHOES: A heel will make yourlegs look gorgeous and a pointy toewill make your pins look even longer.Every woman should own a pair ofblack or nude heels – they’ll go witheverything.

◆ FLORALS: Modern florals oozefemininity. If you’re an hourglass, lookfor a dress that has a deep v-neckand synched-in waist to make themost of those gorgeous, MarilynMonroe curves.

◆ MONOCHROME: For aneffortlessly glamorous, classic My FairLady look, pick monochrome. If you’reslim, a figure-hugging dress whichfinishes on or just below the knee willknock 'em dead.

SEPARATES:A dress and

jacketcombination isperfect if you’reworried about

putting too muchon show – or theBritish weather.

LACE: If the thought of lacemakes you think of your gran’s net

curtains, think again. There areloads of gorgeous, modern lacesout there which look effortlessly

chic. And a mesh or sheermaterial on the sleeves gives abeautiful hint of flesh whilst also

giving you some coverage.

Channel 4 will be broadcasting live from Royal Ascot from Tuesday 17th June to Saturday 21st June.

The daily broadcast times are:

Royal Ascot Morning Line 8.00 – 9.00am each day

Channel 4 Racing: Royal Ascot 1.40 – 6.00pm daily

Across the five-day Royal meeting, Channel 4 will showcase all 30 races and thefashion spectacular that is Royal Ascot within a 30 hour schedule, including eveninghighlights.

Gok Wan will present all fashion elements with Gina Bryce on lifestyle duties. The dedicated racing team lead by Clare Balding and Nick Luck will concentrate all things equine and will be supported by Jim McGrath, Graham Cunningham, Mick Fitzgerald, Emma Spencer, Rishi Persad, Simon Holt, Tanya Stevenson and Brian Gleeson.

ROYAL ASCOT INCLUDES SEVEN QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES RACES:

For more information please contact: For images please contact:Hannah Walker, Senior Publicity Manager Rebecca Allin, Pictures PublicistChannel 4 Television Channel 4T: 020 7306 8643 / 07971 598287 T: 020 7306 8389E: hlwalker@channel4.co.uk E: RAllin@Channel4.co.uk

Naomi Lawson, Senior PR Manager Great British RacingT. 020 7152 0196 / 07881 266359E. nlawson@greatbritishracing.com

Tuesday 17th June: The King’s Stand StakesThe Queen Anne StakesThe St James’s Palace Stakes

Wednesday 18th June:The Prince of Wales's Stakes

Thursday 19th June:The Gold Cup

Friday 20th JuneThe Coronation Stakes

Saturday 21st JuneThe Diamond Jubilee Stakes

Royal Ascot – Live on Channel 4 17 – 21 June 2014