Cape Town - Kenilworth racecourse sparkled with celebrities, punters and Champagne at the 157th running of The Sun Met yesterday. Racegoers interpreted the 2019 theme of precious metals, with hues of bronze, gold and silver in high-end fashion pieces.
Cape Town and Joburg celebrities attended the event, quaffing champagne.
Minnie Dlamini-Jones wore a dress by Gert-Johan Coetzee, a designer whose services she also used for last year’s Met.
The fastest man in history, Usain Bolt, also returned this year as one of the sponsors’ “chief entertainment officer” after causing much excitement last year when he arrived in a helicopter.
Minnie Dlamini-Jones. Picture: AYANDA NDAMANE/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY/ANA
Reigning Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green arrived in an all-black dress with a plunging neckline and hair accessories that celebrated the theme.
Green told Weekend Argus she was wearing a dress from Cape Town Dress Hire with additional styling from Werner Wessels.
“I thought of incorporating golds, platinum and copper into my outfit as they are the precious metals found in Africa. I also wanted to celebrate the African heritage with my dress,” she said.
Last year Green attended the Met as Mumm ambassador and set the goal for herself to attend this year’s event as a guest rather than to work.
Green said she looked forward to her remaining months as Miss SA before returning to complete her final year of medical studies in April.
Miss South Africa Tamaryn Green. Picture: AYANDA NDAMANE/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY/ANA
Racegoers arrived throughout the afternoon in anticipation of the ninth race, the Sun Met 2000, which carries a winning purse of R5 million.
Rainbow Bridge ran to victory, ridden by Anton Marcus and trained by Eric Sands.
Former Miss SA Cindy Nell is a regular Met attendee and kept with the theme wearing a long kimono style rose gold coloured dress.
Nell will soon celebrate 10 years of marriage to Clive Roberts and had a piece of her dress made into a handkerchief for his suit.
Cindy Nell. Picture: AYANDA NDAMANE/AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY/ANA
Presenter Chris Jafta said he loved pushing the boundaries of fashion and “for some bling” he wore jewellery by Thomas Sabo with his suit.
The day also featured the best-dressed competition and fashion shows showcasing designs by Biji La Maison, Ole Ledimo from House of Ole, Mzukisi Mbane from Imprint ZA and Warrick Gautier.
The party continued long after the sun went down with an after-party that featured performances by Lady Zamar, DJ Maphorisa and Makifizolo.