There’s a good chance the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will go down as one of my favorite shoots of 2014. It is a proverbial mecca for a combination of the New York fashion scene, polo fans, and champagne enthusiasts. And they all come to party.
I had the pleasure of photographing the annual celebration on behalf of the hosts themselves, Veuve Clicquot. And while a number of my images have circulated through Veuve’s channels over the last few weeks, I figured I’d share a collection of my favorites.
Cheers.
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Tables in the VIP section branded with Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic’s signature colors and logos.
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Champagne is chilled prior to the arrival of guests.
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While each guest receives a bottle upon entry, there’s an endless supply of reinforcements – and served by an army of waitstaff decked out in a head-to-toe VC gear.
Thousands of champagne flutes stand at the ready.
Crates of Veuve are incorporated into the VIP tent’s centerpieces.
Each VIP table comes equipped with a full lot of chilled champagne, and when used, the buckets don’t stay empty for long.
When the brand is orange, oranges just work.
A woman has her picture taken along a Veuve Clicquot step and repeat, with lower Manhattan in the distance.
Two men ‘cheers’ as they kick off their day with their first flutes of bubbly.
A woman walks through the public side after having purchased quite a bit of VC merchandise.
Guests on the public side enjoy picnics while awaiting the day’s polo match.
The classic is a place to drink, but also a place to show off unique fashion.
A woman laughs as her friends gather to enjoy their first sips of the day.
To women chat as they await the arrival of their first bottle.
Bars are well stocked with thousands of bottles of chilled champagne.
A man dances while laying in the grass as he waits for the match to begin.
A woman takes a picture of the huge crowd that has amassed.
Food trucks provide sustenance to guests on the public side.
Two women show off their VC hats as they walk through the crowds. The polo field is in the distance.
A group of women just can’t get enough of the wooden #VCPoloClassic frames.
Hilario Figueras, son of Nacho Figueras and honorary member of Black Watch Polo Team, kicks off the match with a ride around the field.
Hilario Figueras competes to keep control of the ball.
Nacho Figueras, co-owner of team Black Watch and face of Ralph Lauren’s Black Label, charges down the polo field.
A horse is brought into the winners circle to kick off the awards ceremony.
Nacho Figueras accepts a bottle of Veuve Clicquot along side his wife, Delfina Blaquier, following the match.
Nacho Figueras celebrates Black Watch’s victory with a swarm of guests.
Food Network personality and renowned chef Ann Burrell grabs the game ball from the field.
Celebrations become more animated as the day nears its close.
While it did rain a bit, these VC clad umbrellas are strictly entertainment.
A woman dances away the last few hours of the day.
