Karolyne sees spots for Caviar
BLACK Caviar's memorable win at Royal Ascot had Karolyne Ivanof seeing spots - her spots.
The Verrierdale textile artist was commissioned to create the Black Caviar polka-dotted salmon silk, which high profile Sydney milliner Neil Grigg then crafted into ties and bowties for the horse's owners to wear at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
"He has a lot of high profile clients. We often do Gai Waterhouse, a lot of the racing fraternity," Ms Ivanof explains.
But nothing has been as significant as the most recent challenge which Black Caviar's owners liked so much, they ordered three lots.
"The first one took me a few hours, I was really worried about getting it right," Ms Ivanof said.
"All up I coloured about eight metres of white silk but I had to do many test swatches cut from that fabric to ensure I had achieved a good colour match to Luke Nolan's jockey silks.
"Polka-dot ties and bowties were worn by the male owners and their relatives. I also did two hat colour matches for hats worn by Black Caviar's lady owners at Ascot."
Like many other Australians, Ms Ivanof stayed up to watch the big race on Saturday night but bad television reception meant she couldn't see much of the action.
She did, however, catch glimpses of Black Caviar co-owner Colin Madden, wearing one of her ties.
She was also surprised to find out one had been gifted to Prince Charles during the week.
"I couldn't believe how far it had gone ... from humble beginnings to the Prince," she said.
"The owners were so happy with it, they're thinking of doing it for another horse they've got for the Melbourne Cup.
"We might get more of this matching for racing silks. It's taken off now since Caviar."
The long-time horse lover now hopes to meet the black beauty who brought her international acclaim.
"It's one of those great Australian sport stories, such a fabulous natured animal," she said.
"They treat her so well, the whole of Australia has embraced her as part of their family.
"She's such a champion."
