Always An Occasion: In Conversation with Sara Prentice & Emily Baxendale
To mark the first Emily-London residency at Garrard Mayfair in preparation of Royal Ascot and the summer wedding season, Garrard’s Creative Director Sara Prentice sat down with Emily Baxendale, Founder and Creative Director of Emily-London.
Every year, Royal Ascot earns its place in fashion lore. One of the longest reigning and most anticipated gatherings in the society calendar, Royal Ascot’s dress code is as legendary as its world-class horse racing. With the 2026 Handbook now released, bursting with inspiration, optional story cues specific for this year, and dressing etiquette clarified according to enclosure, attendees are in pursuit of a look that meets the moment.
How did the Emily-London at Garrard residency come about? What makes it exciting from your respective practices of jewellery and hat-making?
Sara Prentice: Emily and I have worked together for many years. The residency at our Mayfair boutique felt like a natural evolution. Jewellery and millinery have always belonged together. There’s a harmony between the two that feels especially relevant for occasion dressing, particularly somewhere as iconic as Royal Ascot.
Emily Baxendale: Absolutely. Occasion dressing is about balance. Every element, the hat, jewellery and silhouette, should work in harmony to create a complete look. That’s what makes this partnership feel so natural. There’s a shared appreciation for elegance and artistry, and for the craftsmanship behind finishing an occasion look beautifully.
The tradition of hats for Royal Ascot is legendary. Daniel Fletcher, the creative director of Ascot, has said that they’re his favourite things about the race. What makes the race's tradition with hats so special?
Emily Baxendale: Royal Ascot is one of the prime moments in modern dressing where hats remain truly focal to the look. That’s what makes it so special. Headwear has the power to transform how someone carries themselves. It brings confidence, presence and individuality. There’s a real sense of theatre to Ascot dressing, and the hat is often the finishing piece that brings everything together.
Sara Prentice: We’re absolutely seeing a return to the art of dressing. People want individuality again. At Garrard, colour has become such an important form of expression this year. Clients are embracing richer tones, unexpected combinations and pieces that feel joyful and intentional. There’s a confidence returning to occasion dressing. It’s exciting.
Tomato Red is Ascot’s colour of the year. Is there a colour you're excited about for 2026?
Sara Prentice: For me it’s blue. What’s so beautiful about blue is its versatility. You can move from the richness of velvety royal sapphires to the softer luminosity of aquamarines. There’s an elegance and depth to blue that feels timeless yet distinctively modern.
Emily Baxendale: I think colour has become far more nuanced again. It’s less about obvious statement shades and more about tone, depth and refinement... the exact softness of an ivory, the richness of a navy, or the warmth within a neutral. Those subtle distinctions are what make a look feel truly luxurious and considered. When the tone is exactly right, the entire look feels elevated, effortless and polished.
Do you have rules or a magic formula for pairing jewels with a hat?
Emily Baxendale: It’s less about rules now and much more about proportion, balance and personality. Every element should complement the overall silhouette rather than compete with it. The scale of the hat, the styling of the hair and the jewellery all influence one another. When it’s done well, the overall effect feels intentional and effortless at the same time.
Sara Prentice: I begin by considering balance and proportion. How will the hat be worn? Will the hair be swept up or left flowing? Will the earrings become a focal point? If the silhouette of the hat is dramatic, I might suggest more delicate earrings and instead draw attention to a bold ring or necklace. But ultimately, it’s deeply personal. The most compelling looks are the ones that feel right to the wearer.
We're seeing a renaissance of craftsmanship and artistry. What’s your take on the return of slow, custom fashion?
Emily Baxendale: There’s a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship, permanence and pieces with genuine meaning. Clients are becoming far more intentional in what they choose to wear and invest in. Bespoke fashion offers something deeply personal. Not only in how it looks, but in how it makes someone feel and the story it carries with it.
Sara Prentice: I totally agree with Emily. People are seeking pieces with meaning, pieces that carry emotion. Fine jewellery has always held that emotional significance. But now clients are becoming even more intentional in what they choose to invest in. They want something with a story. Something that is personal and lasting.
And what does that process look like for you? How do you capture their story?
Sara Prentice: First and foremost, it’s understanding the person. I need to experience their energy. How they carry themselves. Jewellery is very emotive, so the process must be intuitive. It’s about creating something that is an extension of who they are.
Emily Baxendale: Our Bespoke Service always begins with understanding the client. Their character, their confidence and how they want to feel. Some clients are drawn to stronger, more directional silhouettes, while others prefer something refined and understated. The occasion itself is equally important. With headwear especially, clients often look for guidance in dressing appropriately while still expressing individuality.
If there's one piece of advice or etiquette you had to give about pairing an occasion hat with jewellery, what would it be?
Sara Prentice: There is no etiquette in terms of jewellery. It’s about instinct and emotion, choosing pieces that genuinely resonate with you. The most memorable looks are always the ones worn with confidence and individuality. But Emily, it’s definitely different for hats?
Emily Baxendale: Yes. The hat should complete the look rather than overpower it. The strongest looks come from harmony where every element feels considered and balanced. Understanding the occasion and its dress etiquette is important. But beyond that, the most successful looks always feel confident and authentic to the person wearing them.
British style is renowned for balancing tradition with modernity. Is there a line you’re conscious of working to?
Sara Prentice: As long as there is beauty in the proportion, integrity in the craftsmanship and confidence in the styling, there really are no limits. The most interesting dressing happens when tradition and modernity coexist naturally. That balance is where individuality emerges.
Emily Baxendale: Absolutely. It's the balance between heritage and modernity that makes British occasion dressing so compelling. Royal Ascot is a wonderful expression of that. You see everything from bold colour and strong silhouettes to restrained elegance and refined simplicity. There’s room for individuality in all its forms which is what keeps it exciting.
Sara Prentice: And I think that’s something both of our houses understand instinctively. There’s space for the theatrical and the understated, the classic and the unexpected. The beauty of modern occasion dressing is that individuality sits at the centre of it all.
Classic style is undeniably current right now. What does 'classic' style mean to you? How do you interpret it?
Emily Baxendale: For me, classic style is about longevity. It’s something enduring rather than trend-driven. Classic looks feel just as relevant years later as they do in the moment. True classicism isn’t predictable or dull. It’s refined, confident and timeless in a way that allows it to continually evolve.
Sara Prentice: Jewellery craftsmanship creates a sense of timelessness that transcends trends. Even the more expressive or elaborate designs still possess a permanence. A truly classic piece never feels tied to a single moment. It evolves with the person wearing it.
Where do you seek out inspiration for new designs?
Sara Prentice: I always return to Garrard’s own archives. Our design history spans three centuries. It’s an extraordinary source of inspiration. There’s something exciting about reinterpreting historic codes and signatures through a contemporary lens. It keeps the work feeling both rooted in heritage and entirely modern.
Emily Baxendale: Inspiration comes from everywhere. From the glamour of international cinema and fashion photography to the elegance and confidence of mid-century dressing. I’m always drawn to women with presence and individuality, whether that’s old Hollywood or European sophistication. London is an endless source of inspiration because it blends heritage with a contemporary energy in such a unique way. There is an eclecticism and confidence to the city that feels incredibly modern.
Sara Prentice: Absolutely. So much of creativity is instinctive. That’s what makes this residency so special, having the opportunity to spend time with clients and understand their personalities. Often, the most inspiring ideas come directly from the people we’re designing for.
Who are your muses? The ones who always nail an occasion look.
Sara Prentice: Catherine, the Princess of Wales is someone who consistently balances tradition with modern elegance beautifully. There’s deep intention behind her styling, particularly in the way she pairs jewellery and colour. I’m also inspired by women like Cate Blanchett who approach dressing with confidence and individuality while still maintaining a sense of timelessness. The best style always feels true to the person wearing it.
Emily Baxendale: Jackie Onassis remains an enduring reference point, particularly for the modern pillbox silhouette. There was such precision and restraint to her style. I also admire Queen Máxima of the Netherlands for the confidence and personality she brings to occasion dressing, like her use of colour and unconventional shapes. Carolyn Bessette embodied a quieter form of elegance that still feels current today.
What are the style trends you're following this year?
Sara Prentice: I’m drawn to stronger silhouettes and sculptural shapes. Collections like Wings and Fanfare work beautifully with modern tailoring because they create such a confident outline.
Emily Baxendale: I’m very drawn to modern tailoring and stronger silhouettes at the moment. Refined shapes, cleaner lines and more considered proportions. It feels polished, feminine and intentional.
What’s your advice for anyone attending Royal Ascot for the first time?
Sara Prentice: Think about your entire silhouette, from head to toe. When every detail feels considered, the whole look comes together beautifully and with ease.
Emily Baxendale: Ensure every element works together naturally. And that nothing is forced. Understanding the dress guidelines is important. But beyond that, Royal Ascot should feel celebratory and enjoyable. The best occasion dressing combines elegance with ease.
In Residence at Garrard Mayfair
Now in residence at Garrard Mayfair, Emily-London is the authority on hats; a must-wear accessory for the race. Making wearable masterpieces that exude elegance and timelessness – chosen by British and International Royal Families, global celebrities and leading fashion stylists – the artistry of millinery and jewellery comes to life in an intimate setting on Albemarle Street.