The winners of the Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat fashion prizes have been announced as Ladies Day at the Galway Races comes to an end today.
The stylish winner of the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ was announced as Maritess McCarthy from Douglas in Cork.
Maritess, who works as a Cardio-Thoracic Theatre Nurse at Cork University Hospital was noted for her exquisite style, walking away with a cash bonanza of €10,000.
Ladies Day is a showcase for the very best of Irish and international design and Ballybrit was once again no exception.
Commenting on her outfit, Maritess said, “my outfit is made by a Filipino designer named Raffaella which I bought while visiting my home country Philippines last Christmas.”
“My headpiece is made by Elizabeth Christina Design also known as Tina Coyne from Cork. The crystal embellished clutch is Jimmy Choo and is pre-loved. The red shoes are Jimmy Choo and gold bangle are from my own collection.”
“The gold ear cuff is called “3 Star and a Sun”, I bought online from Australia. I wanted a unique and elegant outfit that will also show my heritage.”
“I’ve always love red and bright colours hence I picked red and gold. I couldn’t decide what to wear so I bought my outfit while visiting my home country Philippines. I thought of an overall look that will compliment each piece”.
The Best Hat prize went to Anne-Marie Corbett from Mitchelstown Cork, who works in childcare and hospitality.
She was crowned for her stunning orange, red and yellow head-piece from Galway milliner ‘Emily Jean’, taking home €3,000 in prize money.
Commenting on her head piece, Anne-Marie said, “I saw this hat on the internet and I thought it was a show stopper piece so I bought it and I wanted something bright and colourful.”
Judging the Best Dressed Lady competitions was Head Judge and well-known stylist Mandy Maher, joined by fellow judge Kieran O’Malley Digital Marketing Manager for the Connacht Hospitality Group, and new guest judge, Rachel Gorry, popular social media influencer.
The Best Dressed Lady competitions at the Galway Races are sponsored by the Connacht Hospitality Group, which comprises some of the most popular bars and hotels in Galway, such as the award-winning An Púcán located on Forster Street, 1520 Bar located in Galway’s Latin Quarter and the chic HYDE Bar on Forster Street.
The Connacht hospitality Group also operate a 24-hour gym and leisure centre Active 24 Fitness & Leisure and late 2019 saw the welcome addition of the Galway Bay Golf Resort to the portfolio with plans to develop a luxury destination hotel and spa this year.
