Make the most of your Accessories

Accessories Styling 

'Its all about the detail' we have all heard this and it couldn't be more true this year when accessorising your fashion.  Use accessories to bring your fashion into this season, give your look a pop of colour, a stylish clutch or add a jewelled neckpiece to your style.

One of  the best ways to show how to mix and match your accessories is to use my fashion show style looks.  I style my models wearing black to highlight all the hats, bags, jewellery, gloves or shoes for the audience.  Or when I have the opportunity to accessorise with fashion then even better!!

Here I have added a pop of orange with this silk hat to bring out the detail of the summer dress on the left and the royal neckpiece I use on the right adds a touch of colour just to lift this look and bring colour nearer the face. Many of us look paler when we have white near our face.  These fashion looks are from Guna Deas Boutique.

Niamh is wearing one of my classic 'Jenny' Hat in Black trimmed with silk and a silver/pearl brooch.  I have teamed it with pearl and crystal jewellery and this stiff black/silver clutch.  Even with a plain black dress this look is very classic.

Aoife is modelling the creams and golds.  A bespoke silk Suzie Mahony Designs hat in creams and golds, the multi strand neckpiece in pearl and gold, with a 'lips' Gold Clutch Bag.  Perfect accessory suite for a ivory/cream dress or even teamed with a block colour dress in black, red or other tones.

Shauna models this fun blush look with a silk button hat with a handmade blush beaded collar.
Collars are fantastic to add a little lift to any outfit, dress it up or down.  This collar is also great with a blush top or jumper for a more casual day out.

Sandra is modelling my Royal Blue Suite.  A royal disc shaped headpiece with the royal neckpiece teamed with a silver clutch picking up the silver of the hat.  This would also work perfectly with silver jewellery for more formal look or indeed wear the beaded neckpiece with a smart/casual look for daywear.

Our lady in red is Chloe, a beautiful red waffle veiling headpiece with a red beaded clutch and a touch of elegance with red lace gloves.  Red is huge this season and here I am showing different options.  You may opt for just the red hat and bag without the gloves, or a black glove depending on your look.

All the models in this blog are students from Transition Year at Portumna Community School.  They were amazing, first time on the catwalk and under the guidance of Muirne Hurley-Goode Manager Ladies Day Boutique they looked stunning on the night.

Sarah is wearing a disc shaped navy and white trimmed hat but with extra trimming of feather flowers, quills and mesh.  This gives the hat a lift and an angle that we often need for an outfit or occasion.  This 'Brona' bag is a metallic stone beaded clutch with lots of tones on it including navy.  Its a perfect bag for so many looks.

All of the accessories used for these looks are available at Suzie Mahony Designs.  The hat and headpiece collection can be tailor made to suit your outfit with my dyed to match service I offer clients at my studio.

I hope you enjoyed my blog and even picked up some tips along the way.

suzie x

The Fierce 50 Movement

The Fierce 50 Movement

I am delighted to show you my collaboration with Hilda Smith from Over The Hilda with my Bespoke Hats Suzie Mahony Designs.  Hilda is one of the 50 worldwide Bloggers who is part of the #thefierce50 Movement.   This fantastic movement is growing in strength.

The Fierce 50 represents a powerful group of women who have come together, united in supporting, helping one another. These are women that have overcome cancer, lost loved ones, raised their children, survived some pretty major adversity, as well as revelled in life’s tremendous joys. 

Hilda Smith wearing Suzie Mahony Designs Bespoke Silk Hat Design
with Fashion from Olivia Danielle Boutique Pic: John Walsh Photography

The #thefierce50 Movement is Organized by Catherine McCormick, Shauna Robertson, Cathy Williamson and Deborah Boland, it’s a campaign that’s sparking some real inspiration in the blogging world.  

The whole idea behind the campaign is to change the perception of this demographic in today's world.  A group of 50+ people who are celebrating this new stage in their lives.  Connecting over-50 bloggers is one of the aims of the campaign and also to make brands and magazines take notice of them.  

Hilda through her own story telling captures the ideals behind #thefierce50 Movement. 

Hilda taking in the fabulous view from the Wineport Lodge
Wearing Winter Felt Trilby by Suzie Mahony Designs
Beautiful Coat from Olivia Danielle
Pic: John Walsh Photography

I was thrilled to work with Hilda as one of our Models to wear my collection of Hats from Suzie Mahony Designs at the stunning Wineport Lodge for a photoshoot organised by the Irish Blogger Agency.  The venue was perfect with the stunning views of the River Shannon.

I showcased my autumn/winter handmade hats from Suzie Mahony Designs during the shoot.  With designs suitable for day wear, winter weddings, racing or cocktail parties.  All the Fashion for the shoot was from Olivia Danielle Boutique Athlone.

Irish Blogger Agency Fashion Bloggers wearing Hats by Suzie Mahony Designs
Fashion from Olivia Danielle.
Pic: John Walsh Photography

Hilda enjoys life to the full and celebrates midlife embracing each and every day through her blog.

Cocktail Party Time for the Bloggers
Hats from Suzie Mahony Designs
Fashion from Olivia Danielle

Thank you for reading my blog.
Suzie x

Winter Racing Style Guide

Winter Racing Style Guide

Winter Racing is part of your schedule now with time off with friends and family.  Where else would you be with the fabulous winter sunshine we are getting.  So mild, perfect for a great days racing.

I thought I would put some style tips together for you for the Winter Racing Season.  Perfect timing to get your look ready for the Ladies Days at Limerick, Leopardstown or Cheltenham.  Winter elegance always wins the day and with such an array of prizes on offer how could you stay home!!.

Watch the Weather and Plan your Look.

Be comfortable, look comfortable in your outfit and enjoy your day.


Footwear is key - its a long day and often turns into an evening out so be sure to have the right boots, or shoes on that will take you through the whole day.  Winter boots are great for racing and are ideal to take you onto the evening.

Hats:  You can't go racing now without a hat!!  For winter racing there are amazing options to choose from, quirky headpieces in winter tones or classic black.  Felt is the warmer option and can add a pop of colour to any outfit.

Gloves complete a look for winter, ladies driving gloves or longer leather gloves add elegance.


Winter Coats:  A good quality winter wool coat makes a statement.  The coat can be the main focus of your look and accessories will enhance the complete look or keep your coat neutral and bring colour in elsewhere in your hat or gloves.  You can transform your coat with a fur collar, a statement hat or a leather belt, the options are endless and always on trend each year.

 

Browse the racing calendar and enjoy a day out this season.

Thank you for reading my style guide!!
Suzie

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

Rooftop Wedding Garden Event at the Sheraton Athlone

Rooftop Wedding Garden Event at the Sheraton Athlone

The Sheraton Athlone launches the fabulous rooftop wedding garden by hosting a beautiful fashion and bridal show for upcoming brides and grooms.  This oasis of privacy is in full bloom and is an ideal setting for any wedding party.


The Rooftop Party showcased the Sheraton at its best with canapes, bubbles, samples of dishes created by Rory Gabriel Executive Head Chef.  Cocktails and craft beer options were also on hand with help for you to choose your drinks menu.  Guests were also treated to a peek inside the 2-floor Bridal Suite with views of the river Shannon.  It really is a stunning wedding venue.






The fashion show with Catwalk Modelling Agency featured the best of exclusive style and bridal wear to the Sheraton Athlone.

Featuring the latest looks for Mother of the Bride and Groom from Olivia Danielle Athlone.





Millinery from my Suzie Mahony Designs collection complemented the style from Olivia Danielle.

They stock a large range of perfect hats and headpieces for all the top fashion labels.








Evening dresses from the brand new Debs Room  Athlone.

The collection of elegant evening gowns offers lots of variety in style, with a huge range of colours.  Something for everyone.


Well worth a visit for your upcoming special event or debs.
















The Bridal section of the show was from Belladonna Galway, a stunning range of bridal dresses gracing the catwalk.





With the rooftop garden, the Sheraton offer a unique platform for weddings and a wonderful area for guests to enjoy a family wedding.


Delighted to be part of this unique show.

Suzie x