Rachel Hawkins brings a genuine love of race day style and many years of experience to the judging panel. As a regular attendee at race meetings across the country alongside her partner, former National Hunt jockey William Kennedy, she’s well acquainted with the unique blend of elegance, tradition and personality that makes racing fashion so special.
She previously owned the high-end hat hire company, The Cotswold Hat Club, where she styled thousands of women for race meetings and formal occasions, developing a keen eye for flattering, polished looks. Her own race day style leans towards feminine tailoring – most often a beautifully cut trouser suit – combining sophistication with a modern edge.
A proud winner of the prestigious Best Dressed title at Goodwood, where the prize was a holiday to South Africa, she has experienced the excitement of race day fashion first-hand. When judging, she particularly admires elegance, confidence, poise and thoughtful attention to detail – the elements that truly make an outfit stand out.
