The Most Stylish Lady competition
The Most Stylish Lady prize at the Irish Derby in the Curragh is one of the most coveted style crowns in the racing calendar writes Irish Independent Fashion Editor, Bairbre Power
II ’m always slow about offering racing tips because I inevitably break them. If I recommend “wear colour” then I’m almost guaranteed to wear black and white on the day. I absolutely love eye catching hats andd I hateate falseasetatan and over fussy, over worked outfits. What I always rate is originalityty and an outfit withth ‘ personality’ overer a designer look from head to toe.e. I always cautionn to “go easy on the accessories” because less reallylly is more.
When Jackiee Kennedy attendeded the Irish Sweeps Derbyb iin JJulyl 1967, she chose a green coat with a flattering high waist and striking buttons. With growing appreciation for the merits of a great summer coat, to find such an haute couture gem in a vintage shop would set hearts fluttering. However, reporting on Mrs Kennedy’s vvisitst to tthee CuCurragh,ag the Chicago Tribune noted hhow she was “conspicuconspicuously hatless.” The ‘nno hat’ apprapproach is fine for gueguests attending the Irish Derby butt if yyou really want to chase down thatth very lucrative MostMo Stylish Lady prize,priz I recommend that youy remember to dress youryo head. Melanie MMorris ( pictureditd lleft),ft) theth Editor in chief of Image Publications is one of the judges in the Most Stylish Lady competition along with Irish Derby Style Ambassador, Amanda Byram, Breeda McLoughlin from Dubai Duty Free, James Amos of Boodles and myself - and I have the pleasure of being this year’s Dubai Duty Free Lifestyle Ambassador.
Melanie says “the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is more than a day’s racing - it’s one of the key events in our summer social calendar, so I’ll be looking for women who’ve dressed for the occasion. a nod to the heritage of The Irish Derby, possibly wearing vintage, or perhaps something contemporary that has a memorable, timeless elegance to it. And of course,urse, it will be all about the hat, and then hhow the whole look ccomes together.”r.”
Milliner Nessassa CCronin ( pictureded lleft) is the uuncrowned hatt qqueen of the CCurragh wheree sshe has her ownn ppop up shop onn rrace days. Nessa’ssa’s ssays “a hat is onlynly part of an entirere look. The dress, the shoes, the bag, everything must be the perfect partner to create a great outfit. If your dress is simple and plain, you can afford to go all out in the hat but if your dress is making the statement, it really is best to keep your hat/ headpiece small and simple.”
One thing for sure this year that “the fascinafascinator is dead,” according to Nessa. “EveryoEveryone coming throughthroug the door has saids ‘ I don’t wantwan a fascinator’ andan so far, memedium sized heheadpieces like the pillbox size is wwhere it’s at for mmost people. Of course,co we still makema the large elaborate hheadpieces which are still hugelyhug popular for racegoers, but I would always recommend keeping the outfit
simple if the hat is big. Whenhen it comes to trims, flowers over feathers seem to be most popular and colour wise, it’s definitely pinks that everyone is going for, from neon to pastels and magenta. Yellow is also very ‘ in’ at the moment and I’ve found a lot of people pairing it with navy, which looks great,” said Nessa.
Milliner Martha Lynn ( pictured left) is well placed to give advice. She won Best Dressed Lady at the Melbourne Cup in Australia in 2010 and is a regular contestant on the style circuit here.
“As the Irish Derby is the highlight of the racing and social calendar, I think your outfit should reflect that and what better way to emerge from the crowd than with a spectacular hathat,”” says the Roscommon-born milliner.
“I recommend that you push your boundaries but stay true to your own personal style. “This season I’m loving all the bright and bold colours and I think they should be embraced so my advice is ‘don’t be afraid.’”
Limerick model agency owner, Celia Holman Lee, ( pictured left) with Mrs Breeda McLoughlin at the 2013 Irish Derby says “for me, an outfit for the Irish Derby is always about the hat and, from my own experiences, I recommend that the hat is where you begin. You should work your outfit around it, making sure your bag and shoes coordinate beautifully. It is not all about the designer labels, it is how you put the outfit together, it is about unique style,” says Celia.
Last year’s winner ( pictured centre in the main picture) was Catriona Hanley from Raheen in Co. Limerick. Catriona had never entered a ladies day competition before and she wowed judges in her fuchsia Mary Katranzou jacket, a white Bastyan dress and hat by Mark T Burke.
Among the style judges last year was Made in Chelsea style icon, Millie Mackintosh ( pictured right with Sinead El Sabai, Vice President Marketing at Dubai Duty Free. Millie likes a pared back style and wore a nude Victoria Beckham dress and a hat by Mark T Burke.
Rachelle Guiry ( pictured above) has been turning heads in racing circles. She won Best Dressed Lady at the Darley Oaks last year and is planning to wear one of her own designs to the Irish Derby this year.
“Planning my outfits can start anytime and once I have an idea in mind, it keeps growing until I have finished the look,” explained Rachelle. She describes her signature aesthetic as “modern, very feminine, with an eclectic twist” and her advice is to “wear something you feel comfortable in, pay attention to key colours and trends of the season and, most importantly, have fun with their look.”
Amanda Byram ( pictured left wearing an Umit Kutluk dress and Boodles diamonds at the Derby launch party at the Marker Hotel) says she favours “timeless elegance” when she is looking for finalists.
Word to the wise: Style spotters will be out on the course from 2pm looking for potential finalists so if you want to be in with a chance of winning the Most Stylish Lady competition, remember to arrive early - and wear a hat!