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

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

Suzie Mahony Designs feature on Ireland AM TV3

What better way to celebrate Mna na hEireann than being featured on Ireland AM alongside fabulous Designers and Milliners.  I am sharing with you all the details of my experience on Ireland AM TV3 with Celebrity Stylist Marietta Doran.

Its was fantastic to be invited to showcase Suzie Mahony Designs occasion style and hats.  I decided to keep my look classic and elegant so I started with the beautiful Chanel Style Suit from Olivia Danielles Athlone in Black with ivory trim and pearl detail.  I love this suit, it is so comfortable and easy to wear.

My hat I started with the hatblock which is one I designed myself last year and I love the shape.  I made my hat in black silk and then working with my own profile and style I trimmed the hat with black silk swirls, handcut black feathers to add some movement and I brought in an accent with ivory pearls all through the design.  The hat is secured with elastics and very flattering.  I loved wearing it.

The shoes are classic black patent from Clarks range.  I also added a leather black bag and gloves which I had purchased on holidays in the last few years.  Staples in any wardrobe and they just finished the look for me.

Of course I couldn't resist a little chat with the boys Mark Cagney and Aidan Cooney.

Behind the scenes we were pampered by Sharon D Hair & Makeup Artist,  you don't model on TV without a little help!!

Thank you for reading my blog.


Suzie x

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