It was a masterclass in winter racing style at the Connolly's Red Mills Race Day at Gowran Park this Saturday. Racegoers and fashionistas travelled from across the south east to enjoy the combination of premier grade racing and the annual Best Dressed event.
Hoping to vie for the top spots and win prizes including a stay at the fabulous Mount Juliet and a shopping spree in Kilkenny city, both the ladies and gents put on their glad rags and piled into the style quarter hoping to catch the eye of celebrity judge Jake Carter and MC and stylist Marietta Doran.
Looking for outfits combining both elegance and comfort, and most importantly weather apropriate for the late winter climate, Jake had an extremely tough decision crowning the Best Dressed Lady Gillian Gilbourne and Best Dressed Gent Raymond Gilbourne. Gillian's striking suit and bag was from 8th sign, blouse bought at the Dublin Horse Show, and headpiece from Marc Millinery.
Jake Carter and Marietta Doran with Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gent, Gillian Gilbourne and Raymond Gilbourne.
"I really liked the attention to detail that Gillian put into her look. Everything was perfectly co-ordinated from her headpiece and suit, right down to her hairstyle." said judge Jake Carter, and of winning Gent and Gillian's husband Raymond Gilbourne - " Again this was a carefully put together look, accesorised very well and the pop of sky blue really stood out from the other contestants". Raymond's coat was Moncrieff from TkMaxx in Cork, shoes from Red Church and hat from Celtic Tweed.
Winner - Best Dressed Lady, Gillian Gilbourne
First runner-up and last year's winning Lady Sarah Cass chose a stunning powder blue coat from Zara with buttons she customised herself and bag from YSL at Brown Thomas, with second runner up and best dressed legend Faith Amond wowing in a beautiful colour block coat from Mimi boutique in Kilkenny, headpiece which she made herself and dress from Irish designer Caroline Kilkenny .
Best Dressed Ladies, 2nd Runner-up, Faith Amond and 1st Runner-up, Lady Sarah Cass.
In addition to the best dressed, visitors to the style quarter were also treated to fashion shows with all the latest exclusive brands from the Red Mills Store in Kilkenny, hosted by Marietta Doran who was on hand to offer style tips and advice. And for ladies looking for a little retail therapy, a pop up shop from the redmillsstore.ie store meant there really was something for everyone.
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