'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

First Furlong Millinery Showcase 2017

First Furlong Millinery Showcase 2017 

The First Furlong Event is one of the highlight of Raceweek in Galway.  Held each year on the Tuesday of Galway Race Week at the Ardilaun Hotel.  Showcasing the best of Galway Millinery with Catwalk Modelling Agency to a fabulous audience all in support of Breast Cancer Research.

I have been part of the event since it started, now in its 7th year and look forward to many more happy years supporting it. Organised by the brilliant team at the Ardilaun Hotel everyone is spoilt from once they arrive from 12 noon with sparkling wine drinks reception surrounded by the Guinness Jazz Band.  Guests all dress up and wear hats ready for the Races and enjoy a sumptuous four course lunch with wine.  

 

Selfie time with our Guest Lisa McGowan Lisa's Lust List who is wearing a hat I designed for her dyed to match her orange dress and cerise accessories. 

Lisa McGowan from Lisa’s Lust List judged the ‘Raciest Lady’ and ‘Bookies Favourite Gent’ sponsored by Anthony Ryans. Entertainment included a special performance by classical tenors Duo Vocis featuring Frank Naughton and Sean Costello.

I love catching up with lots of familiar customers.  Siobhan McDonagh stunning in pink.

Lynn McLoughlin from Anthony Ryans and I enjoying the sunshine.  Lynn is wearing the new collection from Anthone Ryans Green Jumpsuit with a #suziemahonydesigns Black Bow Hat.

This lady always looks so stylish.  Tina Munroe wearing a gold pheasant hat from my collection.

Maria Kelly - Ardilaun Hotel, Lisa McGowan, Lynn McLoughlin and Jennifer Skeffington from Breast Cancer Research.

Every girl loves a diamond!! 
Lisa checking out the bling on display from Noel Finan Fine Cut Diamonds. 

Another beautiful look Helen in nude pink wearing #suziemahonydesigns Vogue Hat.

Our MC for the Day Mandy Maher of Catwalk Modelling Agency.  Wearing soft pink dress from Olivia Danielle.

Mandy Maher and Lisa McGowan 

Millinery Showcase with Catwalk Modelling Agency, featuring Galway’s most popular milliners including Suzie Mahony Designs. 

The Suzie Mahony Designs Hat Collection for the Millinery Showcase with Catwalk Modelling Agency.

I always take this opportunity to introduce new designs and edgy styles to the event, giving the audience a unique taste of hats available from my studio.  Emerald Green Wave embellished with lots of sparkle. 

After a brilliant afternoon guests are taken treated to an evening at the Galway Races on shuttle buses.  Proceeds from the event support Breast Cancer Research (formerly NBCRI), a charity that is positively impacting future outcomes for breast cancer patients by funding world-class breast cancer research at NUI Galway.


I work with these ladies throughout the year so I think I deserve some love!!  jokers. xx

Hope you enjoyed my blog.

Suzie x