Don wins the VIP style crown
FOR his fans and loved ones, it came as no surprise at all, but for Ballyheigue designer Don O’Neill being named Ireland’s Favourite Designer at Friday night’s prestigious VIP Style Awards came as a total and utter shock.
Fresh from his new bridal runway show in New York the previous day, the THEIA creative director arrived in Dublin for the gala event with husband Pascal, merely hoping to share the spotlight with his fellow designers and celebrate Irish style at its best.
Little did he know, however, that his fans had been voting in their thousands over the previous few weeks to ensure he received the top accolade at the gala ceremony – beating off stiff competition from such renowned designers as Simone Rocca, Paul Costelloe, Umit Kutluk, Helen Steele and Emma Manley.
“I was convinced Simone Rocha was winning but nonetheless, in that moment, I could barely breathe. I heard my name in the distance and an ear-deafening roar from Pascal. Suddenly everything became a slow motion blur,” Don explained.
“All I could think of was the conversations I had been having all night with my nominated fellow designers, with whom new fond friendships had been forged, and how passionate they are and the challenges they face every day in Ireland.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for me and I’m so happy to have shared this magical moment with Pascal, my biggest cheerleader.”
After celebrating long into the night at the Marker Hotel, the couple made their way to Don’s native Ballyheigue the following morning where they were inundated with more congratulations from locals, before setting off for their New York City base on Sunday morning after what Don described as a whirlwind 48 hours that he is unlikely to forget.