Alex Butler from Ballyedmond, Midleton, Co Cork, scooped the coveted title of Kilkenny Best Dressed Lady at Ladies' Day last week, this year sponsored by the Kilkenny Group.
Ms Butler's winning style featured a stunning one shoulder midi length red dress by Teria Yabar and headpiece by acclaimed Leitrim milliner Jennifer Wrynne. She accessorised her outfit with nude Louboutins, which were a present from her boyfriend, and a pearl clutch.
Ms Butler left the Ballybrit racecourse with a spectacular prize worth over €10,000, which includes a shopping spree at Kilkenny, a luxury five break courtesy of Ireland’s Blue Book, clothing by Irish designer Aideen Bodkin, a bespoke Waterford Crystal trophy, jewellery by Irish designer Maureen Lynch, a year’s haircare from Peter Mark, and a luxury Lancôme cosmetics hamper.
Wearing a two piece bespoke outfit from up and coming Irish designer Laura Jayne Halton, milliner Mary White from Claremorris, Co Mayo, won the prize for Kilkenny Best Irish Design. She complemented her 1950s inspired outfit with a grey percher pillbox hat with Russian veiling and ostrich feathers, which she designed herself.
She receives a prize worth €4,000, including a luxury five star break courtesy of Ireland’s Blue Book, clothing by Irish designer Aideen Bodkin, jewellery by Irish designer Maureen Lynch, and haircare from Peter Mark.
Yorkshire native Danielle Gingell, who lives in Claremorris, Co Mayo, was awarded the title of Kilkenny Best Hat for her fabulous veiled floral cream creation with tulle netting by American milliner Arturo Rios.
Her prize worth €2,500 includes a five star luxury break courtesy of Ireland’s Blue Book, jewellery by Irish designer Maureen Lynch, and hair care from Peter Mark.
All contestants in the Kilkenny Best Dressed competition at the Kilkenny marquee receive a special collection of Lancôme cosmetics, compliments of University Pharmacy, Galway.
Judging the competition were four of the best known names in the Irish fashion and TV, RTE’s Maura Derrane, Irish Independent fashion editor and Weekend magazine executive editor Bairbre Power, Image magazine editor-in-chief Melanie Morris, and owner of Catwalk Model Agency Mandy Maher.
This year, the coveted Best Dressed Lady Competition welcomed its first new sponsor in 13 years.
“We have been overwhelmed with the turnout and standard of style at this year’s races," said Kilkenny Group marketing director Greg O’Gorman. "Ladies' Day at the Galway Races is one of the standout events of the year and we would like to commend John, Michael, Sandra, and the team at the racecourse for organising a fantastic summer racing festival this week. Our sponsorship of the Best Dressed Lady Competition has been a tremendous success for the company – thanks to all those that supported us."
