Galway Fashion Trail

Galway Fashion Trail

I attended the Galway Fashion Trail on 5th November and here is my blog of the day.

This was my first time to be one of the blogger group for the event with ITWBN and it didn't disappoint.  Saibh and Sinead (ITWBN) did an amazing job coordinating the 20 VIP Fashion bloggers for the day, some travelling from other parts of Ireland.  It was lovely to meet up again with some familiar faces.

Organised by Galway Now Magazine the Galway Fashion Trail featured 8 fashion shows with Catwalk Modelling Agency throughout the city.  Its a real treat to get to see the shows from 'the other side'.  I'm usually behind the scenes styling my hats and accessories, this way I could enjoy the whole experience of the trail.  We are all familiar with the larger stores in Galway but for me the trail was about showcasing the variety and style on offer from Galway Boutiques.  They do give us choice but more importantly they offer quality which will be in your wardrobe for seasons to come!!

We were fuelled up for the day at Colm Quinn BMW showroom at 9.30am!! yes on a Saturday morning, but it was well worth it.  We were given a fantastic Bloggers Buffet Breakfast.  They even had a photobooth for some fun pics with Newell Events.  Here we had the opportunity to get up close to the BMW range in the showroom, of course it would be rude not to sit in and try out a few!! Fabulous cars.  I met with our Major Mr Larkin who was taught by my mother in national school!! Small world!!

In style the ITWBN bloggers were chauffeured into town and dropped to the first of our Fashion Shows at Collette Latchford Boutique, a well established ladies store in Galway and showcased some of the key labels she stocks including MarcCain and Onjenu.

We moved on to Greene's Shoeshop in the shopping centre for the next show with The Galway Hat Shop.  All you need for winter with cosy woolly hats, scarves and boots / shoes from Greenes.  We all popped into the Hat Shop to have some fun trying hats on.

One of the highlights on the trail was The Treasure Chest.  An Iconic Galway store celebrating 50 years in business this year with the amazing Mary Bennett at the helm.  Mary greeted us in style and we enjoyed some great fashion looks for smart/casual with felt hats showcased from Suzie Mahony Designs.  Here I also got to meet up and coming designer Colin Burke, a giant of a lad with great chat, it was lovely to meet him, his work is stunning and I look forward to seeing more of his creations in the future.

Mandy Maher from Catwalk Modelling Agency and Sinead Carroll Irish Blogger Agency both wearing their Suzie Mahony Designs Trilby's out and about for the Galway Fashion Trail.

Willow was our next stop and we were in for a treat with some very classy looks and occasion dresses.  Love this look worn by Eliska.

We were all looking forward to Lunch at Caprice Cafe.  I met Vicki on arrival and we were treated to a buffet lunch.  Here I won the beautiful Zoeva Makeup set from Matt O'Flaherty's - amazing prize and I can't wait to try it out.

After a well earned rest our next show was Rococco where we saw some trendy fashion and some of the house interior items they sell caught my eye. Quirky pieces that would add some character to a room.

Around the corner Choice Boutique and the Kilkenny Shop had the balloons out for us.  Choice showed us layered looks for winter, with lots of options: bags, scarves, jackets looking fab with shoes from Prego.

It really did begin to look like Christmas in the Kilkenny Shop,  I love rummaging through this shop at Christmas time, great gifts for everyone.  They spoilt us by gifting each blogger a beautiful Dyrberg/Kern Ireland ring from the COMPLIMENTS Collection.  The rings consist of a gold, rose gold or silver band at €20 and the toppers are €40-55 each. I can't wait for mine to arrive.

Harper was ready for our final show of the day.  Modelled by Catwalk Modelling Agency the girls showcased dresses and headpieces for all occasions to a packed store.

The wrap party was hosted by The Front Door.  A wonderful day of fashion and fun, thanks to ITWBN, Galway Now Magazine and all the businesses involved in making it such a great day.

Try and pop into some of these lovely shops when you are next in Galway.

I really enjoyed the experience and I hope you enjoyed my blog.

Suzie

Athlone Fashion Trail

Athlone Fashion Trail

Hard to believe we are looking at fashion for the winter already!!!  Into The West Blogger Network Siabh and Sinead coordinated the day for all the bloggers, everyone was excited for a great day in Athlone.

What better way to start the day than with a beautiful breakfast at the fabulous Colm Quinn BMW Showrooms in Athlone.

A huge spread awaited all the guests.  I couldn't resist a little browse over the latest models in the showroom, I only wish I was driving one out the gate!!  lucky for all the bloggers who where chauffeur driven into town in a line of BMW's!!

As I was showcasing hats during the day I set off to Olivia Danielle Boutique to prepare for the show. Lots of new stock had just arrived in the shop and they were busy putting the best fashion looks out ready for the models to arrive.   The variety of smart casual wear for autumn/winter was fantastic. From jeans, tops to comfy poncho's, coats and scarves.

Everyone was treated to glass of bubbly on arrival after the #athlonefashiontrail street photo with all the bloggers.   Christina, Ciara, Demelza and Katie from Catwalk model agency modelled a selection of smart casual a/w wear with my felt winter hats in different styles.

Patricia McCrossan MC'd the show from Galway Now Magazine highlighting the support Olivia Danielle gives to Irish Designers, stocking my Suzie Mahony Designs hats and the aw designs added a little twist to the looks that Olivia Danielle styled for the afternoon.

It was lovely to catch up with other bloggers as they headed off to the next stop on the trail.  I took time out for a little shopping of my own.  Couldn't resist the smart/casual wear and left Olivia Danielle's with a few key basics that I am looking forward to wearing.

Looking forward to my next Fashion Event which is coming up this weekend!!

Thank you for reading my blog.
Suzie

Celebrating Fashion at The County Boutique

Celebrating Fashion at The County Boutique 

The County Boutique in Ennis celebrates 50 years in business in October, a huge achievement and to mark this they are hosting an Exhibition from October 14th to 16th culminating with an afternoon of Fashion at The Old Ground Hotel Ennis on Sunday 16th October.  

The Exhibition will showcase Fashion and Customers from the past 50years!

My relationship with The County Boutique started when I launched my Millinery Business Suzie Mahony Designs.  They believed in me back then, they liked my hats and headpieces and were thrilled to be able to offer a bespoke dyed to match service for customers.  Stocking an Irish Milliner enhanced the existing support they provide to Irish Design.  We work very closely and continue to develop our styling, designing of beautiful headwear, ensuring the perfect look is achieved for customers.

It is no surprise to learn that they have been shortlisted for a number of awards in the past week.

The FBD Clare BusinessExcellence Awards, run in association with Ennis Chamber, takes place on the 22^nd October next and the store has been shortlisted to the final three in two categories,  

Retailer of the Year and the Excellence in Customer Service Award.  

At the same time, the County Boutique Nenagh store has been named as one of Retail Excellence Ireland Top 30 Stores in Ireland, which is run in association with Barclaycard.  Highlighting Irish retailers that are the most progressive and innovative in the market.  

County Boutique Director, Gwen Culligan, says “we know that the competition was really tough, so to get such accolades and be named in the same breath as some of the county’s and country’s finest retailers is a fantastic achievement.  It is a very exciting time indeed, with both awards ceremonies coming up and our 50^th celebrations as well”.

We have collaborated at many fashion events showcasing the best of Occasion Fashion and Millinery.  

I enjoy creating unique hats and headpieces that give outfits that extra edge for an occasion.  Like this gold and black ensemble, very edgy look for an AW occasion or races.  I have matched it with a Black and Gold Shimmer Silk hat, percher style that keeps the look modern and stylish.  This look is in stock currently at the County Boutique.

Racing Style : Royal/Ivory with a pop of colour.

I look forward to working with the wonderful team of ladies at the County Boutique for many seasons to come. 

Wishing them continued success over the next 50 years!!  

Suzie 

Suzie Mahony Designs

Galway Races Festival Summer 2016 Best Dressed Ladies & Hats

Galway Races Festival Summer 2016 Best Dressed Ladies & HATS!

The Galway races kicked off in style for my hats this year with Triona O'Donnell winning Best Dressed in the Latin Quarter Best Dressed Competition sponsored by Evoke.ie and judged by Lorraine Keane.


With Millinery to the fore on Tuesday at the First Furlong annual event at the Ardilaun Hotel in aid of National Breast Cancer Research the ladies were out in full racing style.  The Hat show was modelled by Catwalk Modelling Agency showcasing some of my racing hats alongside other Galway milliners.

Wednesday 'Plate Day' brought us to the Connacht Hotel where Ruth Kemple and Marietta Doran judged best dressed from the days racing in Ballybrit.  Ruth wore Suzie Mahony Designs accessories for her week's racing and Wednesday's look was complete with this striking orange silk Hat.

The biggest ladies day in the country sponsored by Theghotel for the first time, kicked off very early this year.  From 11.30 on Thursday!!

Each year I design hats for the Galway Races and this year showed that the Ascot Style is coming to Galway in a big way.  The beautiful big hats elegantly finished with dresses or jumpsuits, it was all there, stunning to watch.  Many had opted for something different as the judges guided at the Races Launch, 'maybe trousers or jumpsuit but they would be looking for a look that is definitely very different this year to anything we've seen before'.  Racegoers take advice and tips like this very seriously so it was no surprise to see such wonderful outfits and hats on the day.  They came from far and wide, its always lovely to see so many local Galway Ladies out in style supporting Galway Races at its best on ladies day.

Whether you wore a large hat or a quirky headpiece it was the overall look that was important and every lady there went to such effort and looked special.  Its such a pity only 20 are chosen from so many.  Maybe the time has come to let all the wonderful ladies walk a red carpet in front of the photographers and enter if they wish, then they can enjoy some of the limelight they deserve.

This year I designed a gold Grecian style beaded headpiece for Judge Mandy Maher.


Delighted to see Angela Dowd wearing Suzie Mahony Designs Black Silk Bow chosen as a finalist and later that evening at theghotel she was a finalist for the Best Hat Competition.

The winner of the day was Lisa McGowan - Lisa's Lust List wearing her own fashion label 'Strawberry and Lime' with matching headpiece.

For my own look this year I wore a navy Phase Eight Jumpsuit which arrived on the Wednesday afternoon!! yes very late but it was perfect and so comfortable, with navy shoes from Clarks, a fab bag I picked up in Portugal last year, jewellery and silk hat all Suzie Mahony Designs.   In pic with Sophie Small wearing one of my Gold Bespoke Hats.

A little peek at some of my clients for Ladies Day Galway 2016, check out Suzie Mahony Designs for lots more images from the races.



Happy Customer Judy Fitzgerald went on to the Clayton Hotel Best Dressed where she was a finalist wearing a beautiful Phoenix V dress with a bespoke hat I dyed to match.






Sarah Jane Moran meeting AP McCoy at the parade ring on ladies day, wearing a beautiful 3-piece suit from Olivia Danielle and Bespoke Cerise Hat from Suzie Mahony Designs.

Jenny Tierney sporting a peacock Wave Hat from Suzie Mahony Designs with this striking dress. 

Two Broke Divas - Louise Gallagher wearing a Black Silk Hat from Suzie Mahony Designs, check out details of her outfit on her blog.  

Ruth Kemple was chosen by Roz Purcell as a finalist at the Halo Nightclub best dressed Competition on Ladies Day wearing Royal Suzie Wave Hat with jumpsuit from Olivia Danielle.


Mary Lee owner Chez Lee looking radiant in this striking red dress with large nude / red hat.




On Friday I was delighted to be a sponsor alongside Athlone Town Centre for Friday's Fair Lady again this year, judged by Lottie Ryan and Marietta Doran.

Lottie Ryan looked radiant in stunning purple, I designed a purple orchid headpiece with tiny silk swirls in purple to match her dress.  This year saw a huge increase in ladies attending with a very relaxed but stunning array of outfits and hats.  A very enjoyable evening at the Champagne Tent.

What a week of style and so many events throughout the city and in all the hotels to entertain racegoers for the week.  Some real style treats along the way and of course the racing highlights.  Not forgetting Ruby's great win for the Guinness Hurdle on Thursday.  I didn't back a winner all week but I certainly enjoyed styling and creating beautiful hats for ladies.

Suzie x