Galway Race Week is upon us again, but unfortunately none of the usual racing events are taking place due to social distancing restrictions.
But a virtual Best Dressed event this Wednesday, 29 July, means amazing outfits don’t have to remain on hangers in wardrobes across the county.
The Best Dressed event has been running for the past two years in order to raise money for the charity, Rosabel’s Rooms – which was set up by parents Suzanne McClean and Gary Monroe with The Irish Hospice Foundation.
Suzanne and Gary tragically lost their little girl Rosabel, who died suddenly at 16 months old.
The aim of the charity is to provide support to parents who are grieving by providing family-friendly bereavement suits in A&E departments across Ireland.
They also have a Rosabel’s Room-to-Heal fund that can provide financial support to families who need to take time off work and pay for funeral costs.
The categories on the day include Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gent, and the winners will take home a €1,500 prize from Bezzu.
The Best Headpiece winner will win a diamond necklace from Leufers Jewellers and a bespoke headpiece by Gillian Duggan Designs, and the winner of the Most Creative Outfit bag an overnight stay in the Prince of Wales Hotel for two people.
The Family Affair (this allows children to get involved too) winner will receive a two night stay for a family of four, plus a family pass to Tayto Park.
Barry’s Hair and Beauty Studio are giving a voucher to each of the winners above.
The judges on the day will be Stuart Montgomery, Rebecca Rose Gillian Duggan and Bianca Luykx, editor of VIP Magazine.
Speaking about the event and what she’ll be looking out for, Bianca said: “Fashion is what you buy.
“Style is what you do with it. Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. Of course, to pull off such original dressing you need to have ‘the eye’.
“This eye acts as a balancer, as in you know when it’s too much, and to – as Coco Chanel famously said – take one thing away. But look, all bets are off in this new normal of ours!
“Because between the Covid stone, the stress acne and the ill-fitting wardrobe (or is this just me?!) looking even half presentable these days wins all style awards!
“So, for those who make the effort to glam up – well done. I applaud you already.
“For those with exceptional style at an exceptional time like this, I take my (race) hat off to you! The most important thing, however, is to have fun and to feel good, while doing good, for such a deserving charity.”
