FASHION and horse racing have always been connected. Royal Ascot is still where both meet, high-end, on a worldwide stage but that is also true, to a lesser degree, at other race meetings and festivals.
It will come as no surprise to learn that I know absolutely nothing about fashion but I know it’s far more complicated for women than men.
One night in Galway, my colleagues and I were enjoying a cold Guinness outside our apartment when a woman passed by us seven times carrying outfits from her car. “I couldn’t decide what to wear for Ladies Day tomorrow, so I brought my entire wardrobe!”
Knowing fashion is a big deal for women at the races, I have always been fascinated by how the subject was covered during live racing broadcasts.
As producer of RTE’s racing coverage, I had a golden opportunity to do something a bit different 10 years ago and it still gives me a laugh to recall it.
Galway Races is more than special. It’s a gathering in the City of Tribes. A holiday destination and experience that could be on the bucket list of anyone who likes music, dance, song, conversation and meeting people.
No one is treated like a stranger in Galway. Young and old, from whatever caste or creed, all are made welcome.
FASHION AND STYLE
In 2008, my team and I were charged with covering the fashion and style element in our live racing programmes at Galway for seven days.
RTÉ provided the services of its megastar presenter Grainne Seoige. Grainne is a Galway girl with stunning skin, a beautiful voice and a particular talent in engaging with anybody. Grainne would get a fine interview from a church mouse.
“You could have made an effort,” she snapped at her co-presenter.
Grainne hit back. “No one cares what you think.”
Our well established, much loved and edgy regular fashion expert was Marietta Doran, a grounded farmer’s daughter from Carlow.
Marietta ate fashion. You could sit with her and be told where every single item of clothing originated; high street, designer label, vintage or home-made.
At the time of our commission the BBC employed a caustic but correct fashion and event-savvy commentator named James Sherwood who was critical. I enjoyed his approach but Marietta would not have it.
“‘I am not comfortable with criticising anyone’s dress sense,” she said.
“Well, slag each other then,” was my response.
SLAGGING
Suddenly we had created a rare opportunity on live television for two powerful female presenters to stage their own double-act.
It worked immediately. Marietta took the concept on ruthlessly.
“You could have made an effort,” she snapped at her co-presenter.
Grainne hit back. “No one cares what you think.”
“Wearing chiffon during the day?”
“I feel like Cinderella, are you my ugly sister?”
And on it went.
On the second day Elaine Taaffe, the fashion-conscious trainer’s wife, took me to one side and whispered: “Everybody is talking about them!”
Music to me ears. Thank you, Elaine!
On the Thursday morning, I took a call from RTÉ’s head of sport. “Are those two getting on?”
Fantastic.
By the end of the week even Ted Walsh has become a fan. “I’m not much into fashion but I enjoyed what those two did this week.”
HUMOUR
Humour is based on cruelty. My two stars pushed it to the limit on-screen but all I heard in my earpiece off air throughout the week were shared gales of laughter.
They achieved something very special and hard to do.
Grainne had initially been sceptical of my suggestion.
“I’m in trouble when I take fashion advice from you!” she announced at our production meeting. Hopefully the two ladies have forgiven me by now.
Good luck to the team next week.
We’ll be watching for forced smiles or sideways glances!