Fashion & Beauty

At the Derby
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At the Derby: Kentucky's Grandest Celebration of Fashion

Author Lili Kobielski, Foreword by Helmut Lang

A visually stunning celebration of the fashion statements that have come to define attending the Kentucky Derby.

Although the Kentucky Derby is officially about horses, it’s also very much about the spectators, the dresses, the suits, the hats, the blazers—the scene! From the fantastic to the sublime, the sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing a Derby ensemble. From wide-brimmed hats adorned with feathers and flowers that neatly coordinate with tasteful, pastel-colored dresses to over-the-top creations with a Barbie doll straddling a martini glass and holding a toy horse—the Derby has seen it all. 

Delving into the intersection of high fashion and Southern tradition, Kobielski showcases the vibrant array of styles and personalities that grace the event each year. No longer only limited to women’s fashion, men have stepped up their game in more recent years as well; it’s not totally unexpected to spot a baby-pink striped suit spangled with chestnut horses, among other creations. Through Kobielski’s expert eye we see the Kentucky Derby for the fashion spectacle that it is, as she captures the hats, the suits, and the dresses from the most exciting two minutes in sports. Prepare to be transported to the heart of Churchill Downs, where timeless elegance meets contemporary flair in a celebration of sartorial splendor.

About The Author

Lili Kobielski is a contributing fashion photographer at Vogue. She’s made a name for herself through her dedicated documentation of the bold and unique fashion statements seen exclusively at the Derby for over a decade. Helmut Lang is an Austrian artist and former fashion designer who has mentored Kobielski throughout her career.

  • Publish Date: March 24, 2026
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Design - Fashion & Accessories
  • Publisher: Rizzoli
  • Trim Size: 11 x 12-3/8
  • Pages: 272
  • US Price: $45.00
  • CDN Price: $60.00
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-4224-7
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Reviews

'“I especially love the diversity of the racegoers and the general ebullience of the crowd. The energy is electric and the huge hats, colorful outfits, and incredible characters make it an endlessly engaging subject.'
Now, Kobielski has collected the best of her 15,000-odd photographs from the event into a new book, At the Derby: Kentucky’s Grandest Celebration of Fashion." — LILI KOBIELSKI TO VOGUE

"For all the talk about horses, the Kentucky Derby has a lot of peacocks. Fake feathers and tufted fabric roses top the headgear of a gaggle of spectators captured in Lili Kobielski’s “At the Derby” (Rizzoli, 272 pages, $45), which features photographs Ms. Kobielski took over the course of 10 years while on assignment for Vogue magazine." — WALL STREET JOURNAL (NYC)

"In Texas, we know a thing or two about making an entrance, don’t we? So, when the Kentucky Derby arrives in a flurry of roses and pageantry, we don’t just watch; we dress accordingly, whether we are there or at a charity viewing party. Now, just in time for spring soirées and mint julep toasts, At the Derby: Kentucky’s Grandest Celebration of Fashion (Rizzoli USA) out in April from Rizzoli USA. invites us beyond the racetrack and into the grandstand gallery of personal style, as captured by Vogue contributing photographer Lili Kobielski, as our cool chaser Lance Avery Morgan learns. After all, Derby Day, May 2nd, is around the corner." — CURATED TEXAN (AUSTIN)

"At the Kentucky Derby, all eyes are on the horses. As they race around the historic track at Churchill Downs, the world watches, gripped by what’s known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” But for photographer Lili Kobielski, the real action is somewhere else: up in the stands.
Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby may be the world’s most famous horse race, but it’s arguably just as famous for its fashion. “There’s really nothing like it,” says Kobielski, who grew up around racing and has photographed the Derby for more than a decade for Vogue. “I especially love the diversity of the racegoers and the general ebullience of the crowd. The energy is electric and the huge hats, colorful outfits, and incredible characters make it an endlessly engaging subject.”
Now, Kobielski has collected the best of her 15,000-odd photographs from the event into a new book, At the Derby: Kentucky’s Grandest Celebration of Fashion.
For her first Vogue Derby story in 2014, Kobielski focused her lens on Rosie Napravnik, the only female jockey riding that year—and of course, all the fun Derby fashion. “I love the range of looks from subtle and chic to completely outlandish,” she says. “It’s impossible to get bored photographing here.”' — VOGUE.COM

"This exuberant volume turns its gaze from the racetrack to the stands, where the Kentucky Derby unfolds as a spectacle of style as much as sport. Through Kobielski’s lens, feathered hats, pastel tailoring, and gleefully extravagant ensembles take center stage, revealing a tradition that thrives on both elegance and excess. Men’s fashion, newly emboldened, proves just as expressive as the women’s. The photographs capture not only clothing but personality, tracing a visual dialogue between Southern heritage and contemporary flair. The result is a vivid portrait of an event where fashion runs as fast as the horses." — INDULGE MAGAZINE