Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic attracts Gwyneth Paltrow, January Jones and more
The Event: Famed polo player Nacho Figueras -- dubbed “the Brad Pitt of polo” by an announcer -- once again led Team Black Watch at the sixth annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Saturday at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. New this year was the addition of female players— Athena Malin saddled up for Team Veuve Clicquot, while Figueras’ wife Delfina Blaquier played alongside him, winning the game’s MVP award.
The Crowd: Among the stylish spectators were stars toting junior polo enthusiasts: Gwyneth Paltrow with her son Moses, Rachel Zoe with sons Skylar and Kaius, January Jones and son Xander, Jaime King with sons James and Leo, Oliver Hudson with daughter Rio and Selma Blair with son Arthur. Both Hudson and Blair are riders themselves. Langley Fox Hemingway, Nina Dobrev, James Mardsen, Camilla Belle and Lauren Conrad were also in the mix, as was Victoria Justice, who tossed out the ceremonial ball.
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For the Record
Oct. 26, 11:39 a.m.: This article misspells the name of Rachel Zoe’s son Skyler as Skylar. It also refers to a Zimmermann Explanade dress; the second word should be Esplanade.
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The Scene: While watching the match in the sun-drenched park, guests sipped Veuve Clicquot champagne and nibbled on gourmet picnic fare, whether truffle salt popcorn and curried cauliflower sandwiches by Wolfgang Puck Catering or offerings from a bevy of food trucks. The occasion offered an excuse for ladies to break out fanciful hats and preppy prints, such as the polka dots on January Jones’ silk Zimmermann Explanade Dot Picnic Dress or the crisp navy-and-white stripes trimming Camilla Belle’s Andrew Gn frock; floral patterns and cream lace were also in abundance. Gentlemen donned tailored jackets, seersucker, plenty of pink, and traditional extras such as bowties, suspenders, pocket squares, boater hats and fedoras. The fashion parade was on full display when guests ventured out to the field to stomp divots.
The Numbers: The horsey crowd, numbering more than 5,000, consumed more than 6,000 bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne, according to the company, as they watched Team Black champion a 9 to 5 victory. More than 8,000 marigolds—the signature color of Veuve Clicquot’s yellow label bottle—were used in more than 235 floral arrangements and topiary balls at the event. Thirteen 16-foot-tall yellow letters, spelling out “Veuve Clicquot,” spanned 170 feet along the hillside overlooking the match. Prints of three limited-edition Gray Malin x Veuve Clicquot photographs, created as a special series by local lensman to celebrate the event, are available from $199 at graymalin.com, with proceeds benefiting the park.
Notable Quote: “Today Delfina is playing, so it’s all about her…it’s exciting,” said Figueras. “In the ‘20s, Will Rogers used to play polo here with Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, Walt Disney and all these guys. I think their spirits are around here, riding horses; I can feel that.”