- Talent in Fashion pieces unveiled on opening day of Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar, Tuesday 29 July.
- RIXO’s vintage-style designs with bohemian twist embody Goodwood’s quintessential summer style.
- RIXO has also designed Markel Magnolia Cup racing silks for charity race on Thursday 31 July.
Talent in Fashion winners RIXO revealed its show-stopping vintage-inspired pieces at the opening day of Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar.
RIXO co-founders Orlagh McClosky and Henrietta Rix were announced as this year’s Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award in association with the British Fashion Council, in April.
The project saw RIXO create three vintage-style gowns, inspired by the textures and patterns within Goodwood House itself.
Fully wearable, but ever-so unique, the dresses were styled and accessorised to perfectly suit Goodwood Racecourse’s quintessentially British summer style.
Inspired by the eclectic beauty of true vintage, Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McClosky created RIXO in 2015, with the brand known for its hand-painted prints and feminine silhouettes.
The Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award, now in its fifth year, was created to recognise home-grown talent. The bespoke designs are kept at Goodwood House and form part of the Goodwood Collection.
In a first for Goodwood Racecourse, RIXO as Talent in Fashion recipient has also designed the jockey silks for this year’s Markel Magnolia Cup. The all-female charity race will take place on Ladies’ Day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival on Thursday 31 July. This year the race is raising money for the King’s Trust International’s Project Lehar.
RIXO Co-founder Orlagh McClosky said: "We’re incredibly honoured to receive the Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award and to collaborate with such a historic and iconic British institution. Designing the gowns has been a deeply inspiring process. Each gown draws from the rich interiors and grand detailing of Goodwood House, with nods to heritage wallpaper prints, antique embroidery, and flowing silhouettes that evoke a sense of old-world glamour. Seeing our designs come to life, styled and worn at the racecourse on the first day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar, was a truly special moment we’ll never forget."
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Notes to Editors:
Photographer: Jonathan Wilson
Photographer’s Assistant: Fruzsina Bodnár
Hair & Make-up: Wendy Sadd and Ruth
Models: Duni, Alisha, Birdy
Creative Director: Orlagh McCloskey (RIXO)
Designer/Stylist: Rachel Woods (RIXO)
The Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award is held every year with the winning designer selected by a panel of judges that includes The Duke of Richmond, The Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council and Editor of Harper’s Bazaar. The pieces are kept at Goodwood House and form part of the Goodwood Collection.
Tickets
Tickets, dining, and hospitality are now on sale for Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar. Visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more.
Contact
For more information about Goodwood Racecourse events, please contact Louise Gould, Press Officer: Louise.Gould@Goodwood.com
For all other press enquiries please contact: media@goodwood.com
Imagery and news from Goodwood are available from our Press and Media site.
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About the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar
The Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar is one of the undisputed highlights of the British flat racing season. Affectionately known as ‘Glorious Goodwood,’ the world-famous five-day festival is a sporting and social occasion like no other, unrivalled style, superb racing, and hospitality experiences to savour mean it’s not to be missed. The 2025 event takes place from Tuesday 29 July to Saturday 2 August. The week is headed by three Group 1 races, including the £500,000 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, the £1 million Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes, and the £600,000 Qatar Nassau Stakes.
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About The British Fashion Council
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1983 with the role to strengthen British fashion in the global economy as a leader in responsible, creative businesses. It does this through championing diversity and building and inviting the industry to actively participate in a network to accelerate a successful circular fashion economy. The BFC promotes British fashion internationally and does so through fashion weeks, exhibitions and showcasing events. The BFC helps British designer businesses develop their profile and business globally and supports fashion talent beginning at college level, extending to talent identification, business support and showcasing schemes.
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About RIXO
Founded in London in 2015, RIXO began in the living room of best friends Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey while they were studying at university. Born from their shared passion for vintage, they wanted to capture the thrill of discovery. Crafting heirlooms-in-the-making and timeless designs made for all seasons, pieces to be cherished and passed down through generations.
RIXO is more than a fashion brand, it’s a movement that invites its inspiring #HumansofRixo community to embrace the art of self-expression and elevate every moment. They fill a unique space in the contemporary market, with limited-edition, one-of-a-kind designs featuring boldly hand-painted prints and elegantly draped silhouettes that move effortlessly with modern life. With inclusive sizing from UK 6-26, vintage-inspired dresses remain at the core of collections, which also includes outerwear, shoes, bags, jewellery, bridal, bridesmaid, and homeware.
The award-winning brand currently has three standalone retail stores in London, including its 5,000 square feet flagship store on the King’s Road, alongside a recently opened store in New York City on Prince Street, Nolita. As the brand continues to grow its international footprint, their unique designs can be found through curated boutiques, global online retailers and iconic department stores — connecting more women to the world of RIXO than ever before.
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About the Markel Magnolia Cup
On Thursday 31 July, 12 dedicated amateur jockeys will ride in the Markel Magnolia Cup following months of intensive training. In 2019, the race captured the eyes of the world when Khadijah Mellah galloped to glory up Goodwood’s home straight. Mellah was 18 years old when she won in spectacular style just months after sitting on a horse for the first time. Previous jockeys have included doctors, Olympians, CEOs, journalists, students, models, and presenters, among them Edie Campbell, Sara Cox, Rosie Tapner, and Vogue Williams. Last year’s winner was Australian-based TV presenter, Lizzie Jelfs.
Fundraising takes place through race and horse sponsorship, as well as at the Regency Ball, a stunning themed evening held at Goodwood House after the Markel Magnolia Cup.
