'Ladies Day' HATS / STYLE Galway Races 2017

LADIES DAY AT THE GALWAY RACES 2017

It was a manic few weeks in the run up to the Galway Races this year.  However much you plan your outfit for the day it always comes together at the last minute!!  

This year for the first time in over 15 years I didn't attend ladies day!!   

Attending the races is brilliant but when your working right up until the Wednesday night late, you can only do so much.  I was certainly there in spirit with lots of beautiful ladies wearing my hats. I attended the races on Friday and also a number of events during the week so I didn't miss out.

I love sharing some of the looks from my customers for Ladies Day.  The biggest Ladies Day Competition in Ireland sponsored by The g Hotel Galway.  Ladies wear hats every day now to the festival but I wanted to do a showcase for Ladies Day because there was such a variety of styles and hats on display.  I love to see the complete look head to toe so here are a few for you to enjoy.

Fiona Glynn - Fit and Fabulous - wearing one of my new designs which I tweaked to work with the detail on her dress, love her green bag!

Lorraine was the lucky winner of the Clarenbridge Oyster Pearl this year and as a result I sponsored her hat for Ladies Day,  I styled her lemon dress with a Navy and Lemon Silk Hat, Shoes and Royal Bag from my studio collection.  

I love butterflies and designing this stunning silk hat for Caroline Glancy I used the colours from the butterflies on the coat to create a splash of colour with a Bespoke silk Suzie Mahony Designs Hat.  Her outfit is from Olivia Danielle Athlone.  

Orange is one of the best colours on Dearbhla Silke from Catwalk Modelling Agency,  I ignored her height with this hat because it is Ladies Day!!  Think she looks amazing.

Tara Moran and the Team from Maximum Media got all their hats from my studio this year.  Tara is wearing a red Suzie Wave hat.

Rosanna Davison wearing a soft Gold Headpiece I designed to complement her look for Ladies Day.

Judy Fitzgerald looking radiant in blue with a white Percher I designed with loads of height using wired feathers, flowers and silk swirls.

I have had so many complements about this look on Katie Geoghegan who was chosen by Bairbre Power as a finalist for the Best Dressed Competition.  I introduced this striking red angular hat because red is fabulous on Katie with her dress from Harper.  So delighted for her.

Eileen Lundon - Olympic Saddlery - wearing Suzie Mahony Designs for Ladies Day.

Aoife O'Hanlon Top 10 Finalist for the g Hotel Best Dressed Lady Competition

Aoife's hat is a bespoke Red trimmed with lots of flowers and silk swirls.

Ladies attending Ladies Day are a very important part of the attraction and atmosphere and indeed the style for the overall week at Galway.   I love the addition of the selfie wall this year, maybe we need another one near the Fashion Action!!   

Susan Flanagan wearing all Ivory Phoenix_V Dress with an accent of Gold.  Her hat is embellished with ivory roses and gold silk swirls.  Her LIPS gold clutch is also from my studio collection.  Susan was also chosen as a finalist at the Galway Races Best Dressed Dressed Competition.

There is so much effort and planning for ladies for the day it is such a shame we only see a few chosen or highlighted.   Social Media  is probably the best forum to catch a glimpse of the style,  wouldn't be great to see more of our Racing Ladies on the TV, a little balance like they achieve at other race meetings around the world.

I was delighted to have customers picked for Best Dressed, designing hats for race meetings throughout Ireland and further afield for the past 15 years, it's still the one closest to home that is the sweetest!! Galway. 

The showcase of Millinery at the Galway Races puts us on the International Stage when it comes to quality bespoke designs.   Looking forward to seeing even more as the racecourse continues its development for 2018.  Exciting times ahead!!

Thank you for reading my blog.

Suzie x

Galway Races Launch 2017

Galway Races Launch 2017

This year the launch of The Galway Races was held on the rooftop of the Marker Hotel Dublin.  

Check out this lovely Galway Races Video 'The Week' which was first shown at the launch. 

I am delighted to be part of the sponsorship team for the Friday Fair Lady this year.  With all the team wearing beautiful dresses from Athlone Town Centre I had great fun styling the looks with hats and jewellery to create a great mix of colour and style.

Setting the scene in the style stakes with Katie Geoghegan from Catwalk Modelling Agency wearing Suzie Mahony Designs new design Wave Hat and Neckpiece, dress from Athlone Town Centre.

Ladies Day Judges interviewed by Marietta Doran giving us the top tips!! Bairbre Power Fashion Editor Irish Independent, Celebrity Judges Aoibhín Garrihy and Baz Ashmawy, Triona Barrett The g Hotel & Spa.  

There is an envy-inducing €10,000 prize for the winner of the g Hotel & Spa Best Dressed Lady competition and €2,000 prize for the Best Hat competition.

Athlone Town Centre Friday Fair Lady Judges Doireann Garrihy Snapchat Queen, Jane Swarbrigg Inglot, Shirley Delahunt Athlone Town Centre and Marietta Doran TV Stylist.

The winner of this ‘Friday Fair Lady Best Dressed’ competition will receive the unique prize of a €1000 shopping spree in Athlone Towncentre,  2 night hotel & spa break at the Sheraton Athlone Hotel, €500 to spend in INGLOT Athlone and a Bespoke headpiece crafted by award winning milliner Suzie Mahony. 

The full Friday Fair Lady Team Judges and Sponsors with Michael Maloney Galway Racecourse Manager and Katie from Catwalk Modelling Agency.

Shirley and Katie enjoying the rooftop setting for the launch both wearing Suzie Mahony Designs Hats and Jewellery.  
Love the block colours! very striking. 

The MC for the Launch Marietta Doran TV Stylist wearing Suzie Mahony Designs Hat with dress from Athlone Town Centre.

No event is complete without a selfie!! and who better to join me than Doireann Garrihy.

Thank you for reading my blog and I look forward to seeing you at the Galway Races.  

Suzie 

Irish Designers at Cloughan Castle

Irish Designers Racing Shoot at Cloughan Castle!!

I was delighted to be part of this unique photoshoot on my own doorstep!!

Cloughan Castle was the perfect setting on a beautiful sunny day for our Race Style Shoot featuring Suzie Mahony Designs designer millinery with fashion from the spring summer 17 collection at Aideen Bodkin Fashion.

Cloughan Castle is the venue you need to create an event that will be long remembered whether you're celebrating a private party, a romantic wedding or a business gathering.  

Photographer: Joe Crean Photography  Styled by Suzie Mahony and Deirdre Kelly.

I used this opportunity to highlight the varying designs I create through my Millinery and showing some of the shapes and looks that can be achieved for your racing looks.  Especially if you are supporting Irish Designers.

Statement Black Hat trimmed with nude pink loops on both sides.  

Lace detail dress from Aideen Bodkin teamed with pearls to finish the look.

We couldn't resist this beautiful shot, the main entrance to the Castle, surrounded by woodland with panoramic views of the Slieve Aughty Mountains.

I used this very large extra wide brimmed hat in cerise with silk trim to highlight the detail in this lovely dress and the overall profile is very striking.

Orange and Cerise.  Striking two tone hat with floral and quill trim.  This hat can be worn a few different ways.  This is how I added more height to the look by having the hat to the side.

Classic bespoke black hat teamed with one of my favourite Aideen Bodkin Dresses, Black background with floral detail in blues and pinks.  This dress would also work great with a block colour pink hat in the perfect tone of the flower.

Perfect racing attire. 

Yellow is huge this season and here we mixed it with soft greys and blue tones.

Vintage Styling with this beautiful leopard print bicycle.  Perfect for the sunshine with just the right twist of colour in her hat and not forgetting the daffodils!!.

Its official big hats are back for the Racing Season this year.  I have used the hats here to bring out the colour and the detail of the dresses from the collection.  We kept jewellery simple and elegant with neutral tones for shoes also so the full emphasis was on the outfits and hats.  

No day out is complete without the Suzie Selfie!! 

Thank you for checking out my blog.  Looking forward to future shoots at this beautiful venue.

Thanks
Suzie x

Pre Races Fashion Show

Pre Races Fashion Show

The scene was set for the first Pre Races Fashion Event at the Oranmore Lodge Hotel on a glorious Sunday afternoon.  With lots of bubbly, racing fashion and millinery it was the place to be to get your race style tips for The Galway Races.  Ladies day at the Galway Races is the largest ladies day in Ireland so we need to plan in good time for our outfits and hats!!.  The event was in aid of Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit.

Special guest for the afternoon of fashion, hats and fun was Faith Amond.  I've known Faith for a number of years, designing hats for her and she always looks effortlessly elegant at any race meeting.  I was delighted when Faith scooped the prestigious best dressed prize at Aintree last month walking away with a stunning Land Rover!!  

Such a fashion event wouldn't be complete without Mandy Maher Catwalk Modelling Agency /TV3 Stylist who was our MC for the day.  Here she is looking radiant in royal blue from Olivia Danielle Athlone.

This year I am busy designing hats for Ascot and already processing orders for the Galway Races which is great.  Designing the correct angle, shape and look for a client is key to the overall look.  I love creating new designs and styling your complete look at my Suzie Mahony Designs studio.

All our models for the day are from Catwalk Modelling Agency, Fashion below from Olivia Danielle with hats from Suzie Mahony Designs.

Jumpsuit 

Jumpsuits are now added to the 'allowed list' at Ascot this year for the first time.  They are so comfortable and can look very classy.  This pale blue and ivory lace jumpsuit below is teamed with Suzie Mahony Designs ivory hat trimmed with pearls and beading.  A very simple elegant look.  I love the little sleeve as well.

The dress and coat combo will never go out of fashion.  This red print stands out and with a block colour red hat or headpiece you can't go wrong.

Neutrals

Focusing on neutral tones, a dress and coat outfit teamed with ivory headpiece but it is embellished with metallic silks and beading.

Every lady should have a black and white look in her wardrobe.  If your heading to the races this suit is perfect.  Beautiful texture.  Pop a black and white hat with it to bring out the detail in the suit or even go all out with a striking black piece.  Either would look fab here.

Colour!

I love this colour, rich turquoise but with just enough pink in my hat design to give the whole look a beautiful finish  Again lovely textures in the quality clothing and the hat shape works well here giving the whole look a real classy edge.

I hope you picked up some ideas or tips for your racing outfit!!
Thank you for reading my blog.

Suzie x

Ascot Dress Code: Style & Hats

There is only one Ascot

As long as I can remember I have followed the style, the pomp and all that comes with it from Ascot each year on our screens.  I love it, from all the style and Royalty to the beautifully groomed horses from around the globe.  It is top of my 'to do' list so fingers crossed I will attend in 2018!!!

Clients attending Ascot want the perfect hat and styling the complete look is all part of my role as a Milliner at Suzie Mahony Designs. Designing a hat that works for them and the occasion.

Ascot set the dress code rules each year and these rules are respected and adhered to which gives us all the fabulous spectacle that is Ascot!!.

Each enclosure within Ascot Racecourse has a different character and dress code, from The Royal Enclosure, Queen Anne Enclosure, Windsor Enclosure and Village Enclosure.  

The outfits and hats at Ascot are as talked about as the racing itself.  Keeping up with current fashion trends this year Ascot have added the Jumpsuit as part of the allowed dress code list.  

Royal Ascot Style Guide 2017

THE HAT

Hats play a huge part in your overall outfit when attending Ascot.  Large hats styled elegantly with your outfit can look amazing.   If you have the confidence to wear a fabulous hat then attending Ascot it the perfect opportunity to do so.  

Accessories bring your outfit together, try different jewellery and bag styles to complement your look.  

Top Tips for your Ascot Hat:-  

Make sure it sits comfortably and securely on your head.  Attending Ascot is not the time to be fiddling with your hat, you must wear it at all times so try it on beforehand.  Extra elastics or headband options can be done to avoid any problems when you get there.

The Ascot Dress Code 2017

• Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer.

• Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater.

• Jackets and pashminas may be worn, but the dresses or tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code of having one inch or thicker straps.

• Trouser suits are welcome.  They should be full length and of matching material and colour.

• They must be worn with a top that adheres to the guidelines of not being strapless or sheer.

• Hats should be worn.  A headpiece which has a base of 4" or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.

• A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times. 

• Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted in the Royal Enclosure. 

• Midriffs must be covered.

• Fascinators are no longer permitted in the Royal Enclosure; neither are headpieces which do not have a base covering a sufficient area of the head (4" Dia)

• Shorts are not permitted.

Royal Ascot runs from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th June 2017

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you have a wonderful time at Ascot 2017.

Suzie x

Racing Style Tips for Ladies Day

Are you Ready for the Races?

This Spring Racing Season is upon us and the fashion stakes are very high.  You want to stand out, look amazing and enjoy every minute.  I'm sharing my Racing Style Guide with you, some tips to help you look the best on the field.  The perfect 'look' takes planning but rest assured I am here to help bring it all together with the perfect HAT!!!

The Racing Season is always spectacular and in recent years we have seen more and more emphasis move from the fillies to the fashionistas!!  Check out the ladies days 2017.

Dressing for the races takes planning and the last thing you need is hassle with your HAT!.

1. Themes/Weather:

Familiarise yourself with the race meeting you are going to attend.  Style your look to take in any specific theme requirements for the day.  Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

Great Pic from The Galway Advertiser from the Galway Races
featuring Suzie Mahony Designs on both ladies in Red! Mary Lee and Sophie Small.

2.  Dress for Your Body Shape:

This is the most flattering way to complete your look.  Use tones that complement you, especially near your face and in your hat.  Think classy and elegant.  With low necklines consider the hemline to the knee or just below.

Mandy Maher Catwalk Modelling Agency Judging at The Galway Races wearing Umit Kutluk with Suzie Mahony Designs

Mary Lee wearing Nude Pink Lace Dress with Suzie Mahony Designs Hat.

3  Accessories:

This season accessories are really coming to the fore.  The right combination of accessories will make or break an outfit and you need your Racing Fashion to be perfect.  Matching shoes and bags are often the perfect choice for an elegant look or choosing a vibrant bold shoe and bag style/colour will transform a look with the right dress and hat.  Your most valuable accessory is your 'smile'.

Sarah Jane Moran Wearing Olivia Danielle Suit with Suzie Mahony Designs Hat

Angela Dowd Finalist wearing Suzie Mahony Designs

4.  The HAT:

Your hat is your crowning glory at the races and above any other accessory it sets you apart.  At Suzie Mahony Designs I style the complete look with my clients.  Wear the correct hat or headpiece to add that 'wow' factor to your outfit.  Don't let your hat overpower your outfit.  If you opt for an amazingly creative hat then keep the rest of your look balanced so it works well together.  Make sure your hat is comfortable to wear, I use special cushion pads on my headbands for clients or special strength elastics.  Allow time for your Milliner to design and make your hat.

Emer Nash all in Creams wearing Suzie Mahony Designs

5.  Grooming is GOD!!  

Judges are in search of the complete look and that includes the perfect Nails, Hair and Makeup.  Don't let your hard work go to waste choosing and styling your outfit without the finishing touches.  Do your makeup to last all day.  Remember 'not to prime is a crime' !!

Thank you for reading my blog, I hope you have a very enjoyable racing season!

Suzie x