And they’re off! With just three weeks to go, the countdown is on to the most glamorous fashion event of the year. The cream of Irish fashionistas are donning their glad rags ready to go head to head for the coveted title of Best Dressed Lady at the Galway Races.
Anthony Ryan’s Galway, proud sponsors of the Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat Competition at the Galway Races has announced details of this year’s event and prize package which takes place on Ladies Day, Thursday July 28.
The Anthony Ryan’s Best Dressed Competition boasts a prize fund of €20,000, with the Best Dressed Lady set to scoop a prize worth more than €12,000.
This year’s Anthony Ryan’s Best Dressed Lady will walk away with a one carat diamond solitaire pendant valued at €8,500, a shopping spree worth €1,500 in Anthony Ryans, Galway and €1,000 cash.
She will also receive a Lancôme Presentation Gift Hamper worth over €500 and a corporate hospitality package for Galway Races October Bank Holiday Racing Festival to include dinner and champagne reception. The prize for the winner of the ‘Best Hat’ is a €1500 shopping spree at Anthony Ryan’s Galway. All finalists at the Anthony Ryan’s Best Dressed marquee will be presented with a special collection of Lancôme cosmetics compliments of University Pharmacy, Galway.
Judging this year’s competition are three of the best known names in the Irish fashion industry – Bairbre Power, Fashion Editor of the Irish Independent and Executive Editor of the Irish Independent Weekend magazine, broadcaster and Off the Rails Presenter Brendan Courtney, and PJ Gibbons, Editor, Social and Personal Magazine. They will be joined by well known faces from the Galway fashion scene Patricia McCrossan, Managing Director, Galway NOW and Mandy Maher, Catwalk Model Agency.
Celebrating 102 years in the fashion business, award winning department store Anthony Ryans Ltd is delighted to continue its sponsorship of the Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat Competition.
“As Galway’s longest established independent department store, we are proud to continue our association with the Galway Races through our sponsorship of the Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat Competition on Ladies Day,” said Anthony Ryan, Managing Director, Anthony Ryan’s Ltd.
“First past the post for style, flamboyance, and extravagant ensembles, Anthony Ryan’s Best Dressed Competition has continued to eclipse all other events and attract participation levels unmatched anywhere else in the country. Our panel of judges will be on the look out to find a lady with an innate sense of style who can put together a winning ensemble, appropriate to both the wearer and the occasion,” he concluded.
Ladies interested in taking part in this year’s Anthony Ryan’s Best Dressed Lady Competition are asked to arrive early as the finalists will be chosen by 2.30pm. There is no entry required for the competition.
Anthony Ryan’s scouts and judges will mingle through the crowd and will invite selected finalists to the judging marquee which is located adjacent to the champagne tent in the race enclosure. The winning outfits will be announced at 3.30pm. The prize giving ceremony will take place in the enclosure immediately after the 5th race. For more details follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ladiesday
