Fashion is a winner at Juddmonte Irish Oaks Day at The Curragh Racecourse in Kildare
Veronica Walsh from Navan, Co Meath was crowned the overall Styled by Nature winner
Award-winning fashion broadcaster and stylist Emily O'Donnell unveiled the four winners of the Styled by Nature competition, sponsored by Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, during Juddmonte Irish Oaks Day at The Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare.
Inspired by the lakes, gardens and landscapes surrounding Tulfarris, the competition invited racegoers to interpret nature through fashion, with entries drawing influence from wildflowers, Wicklow sunsets, the Blessington Lakes and the colours and textures of the natural world.
Veronica Walsh from Navan, Co Meath was crowned the overall Styled by Nature winner. She wore a dress by Irish designer Tina Griffin and a headpiece by award-winning milliner Carol Kennelly, impressing Emily O'Donnell with a look celebrating Irish design. Veronica won exclusive private use of the seven-bedroom 18th-century Manor House at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, including a private dining experience for up to 14 guests. She plans to use the prize to host a pre-wedding celebration ahead of her son's wedding.
The other category winners were Dee Maddock from Straffan, Co Kildare, who claimed the Modern Headpiece Award; Dawn Knight from Portarlington, Co Laois, winner of the Sustainable Style Award; and Suzanne McGarry from Sligo, who received Emily's Edit.
Dawn's self-designed dress was created from repurposed curtain material and paired with shoes from Folkston Shoe Company in Edenderry and a rented headpiece from Harrington Hats in Laois. She won a two-night stay for two at Castlemartyr Resort, including breakfast and dinner.
Dee's floral headpiece, crafted by her sister at Hats by Marie using leftover craft foam, earned the Modern Headpiece Award. Suzanne's sustainable ensemble featured a re-worn Coast dress with shoes from ASOS, a bag by 8th Sign and a rented headpiece from completelook.ie. Both received an overnight stay at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort with dinner, wine and breakfast.
On the track, Johanna Walsh, ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle and trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, won the Group 1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks.
For upcoming fixtures and information, visit www.curragh.ie. Under-18s are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.