Punchestown Fashion All the Winners!!!

A look back at the Style!! Punchestown 2017

Each year Punchestown has grown in popularity for the ladies and this year certainly captured some amazing style and hats during the Spring Festival.

In the run up to Punchestown, ladies are planning and styling the perfect look.  With a Ladies Day competition everyday it was a great opportunity for the ladies to showcase their fashion and hats. 

The circuit of ladies attending ladies days is growing each year and its lovely to see creative hats and the big hats coming out and featuring, quality hats and great design make such a difference to an outfit.  

Winner Day 1: Ashley Reade, Naas.

It was no surprise to see red feature, its always a strong racing colour.  A very classy clean cut style with a burst of colour in the gloves and a huge hat.  Stunning.

Winner Day 2: Sophie Edghill, Dunlavin with Judges.

Red stole the show again on Day 2 over a white trousers suit and striking headpiece.

Winner Day 3: Ann Marie Phelan

Classic black and white with lovely lace detail and hat. Black and white always looks so elegant.

The Final Ladies Day Competition was on today with Bollinger sponsoring the Best Dressed Lady.  The Prize included:- 

Return Business Class Flights to France 

Private Chauffeur transfer to the beautiful historic town of Reims in the Champagne region

Two night stay with gourmet dinners each evening 

Private tour of the Bollinger Estate and new Champagne Libraries

Chauffeur to Paris to enjoy a night of luxury accommodation and Michelin dining

A year's supply of Bollinger Special Cuvee

Fridays Final Winner AnnMarie Phelan

Why the judges picked her - that dress!!  Great to see some Suzie customers on the video clip!!

This dress is beautiful, I love the colours and the pattern.  Complete outfit and hat looks fantastic. 

Delighted to get some pics from a happy customer below in my green bespoke hat from my spring/summer collection.

Geraldine Shalvey wearing Suzie Mahony Designs at Punchestown 2017

Hope you enjoyed my review of this weeks winners.

Suzie x

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

Do you know your STYLE colours for SS17?

Keeping up to date with the latest seasonal fashion colour trends is all part of our retail shopping experience.  To help us with our planning Pantone has moved ahead and released the Top colours.  

Forecasting key colours for seasons ahead helps us all plan ahead for our own wardrobe necessities and also to get to grips with the colour tones coming into stores for 2017 Wedding Season.

I have recently enjoyed showcasing my hats with some beautiful new season style in these colours and wanted to share some style looks with you and show you the top colours on trend.

Sandra, Helen and Alona modelling SS17 at Isobel Boutique Adare
Hats designed by Suzie Mahony Designs available instore.

Niagara:

Leading the charge this year are Niagara which is a rich slate blue colour.

Sinead Tucker modelling Blue Lace Look Dress and Hat
from Isobel Boutique Adare

Primrose Yellow 

is a soft warm yellow.  This season we also have zest or lemon tones on leading labels.

Lapis Blue: 

Navy is traditionally a spring colour but here we have  Lapis Blue which adds much more vitality to a tone, gives it some energy and radiance. 

Hazlenut is the neutral tone of the season or the accent tone used in accessories.  It has a warm undertone and can easily be worn for all seasons.

Fashion from Isobel Boutique Adare with Hats from Suzie Mahony Designs

We are very familiar with Pink Yarrow having seen it in cosmetics ranges for a number of years and we also have seen rich magenta and cerise come back year after year for fashionable trends.

Pale Dogwood is similar to the lovely soft nude pinky tone we have seen over the past couple of years.  It works great as a block colour for a complete outfit like you see here on Mandy Maher wearing one of my SS17 Silk Hats at Suzie Mahony Designs.   Nude Pink is stunning when mixed with greys or nutmeg tones also.  It adds a lovely softness to an outfit or overall look.

Flame

We are definitely seeing more reds and corals this year on the shop floors for occasion wear.  These colours are brilliant for the Irish skin tone.  They are warm and rich.   

Fashion Below from Olivia Danielle Athlone.

Flame is red infused with orange and gives a wow factor.  Again you can't ignore when maintained as block colour styling but when accented with greens or other rich magenta's they also work well.    

Northwest Wedding Expo 20117

Northwest Wedding Expo 2017

The Northwest Wedding Expo 2017 was held in the Knocknarea Arena Sligo, over two days.  

I was invited to be part of this years event with my Suzie Mahony Designs 'Occasion Style & Millinery' Talks at the Show in seminars throughout both days.  I showcased my Millinery, Jewellery and Accessories at the event.   

Despite the cold weather outside, everyone received a lovely warm welcome on the Red Carpet to Expo 2017 photographed by Glenn Regan.  The Arena was jam packed with over 80 businesses over the weekend.  Ocean FM were present both days and it was lovely to be interviewed live on air. 

Exhibitors at Northwest Expo 2017

My Style and Millinery Talk covered all aspects of dressing and wearing hats for your family wedding.  Showing the ladies all the tips and ideas when styling your outfit and hat.  How to make it work for you. Practical style advice from my experience as a Milliner styling clients.  

I showed fashion from Olivia Danielle Boutique Athlone with various hat designs from my studio.  Olivia Danielle stock a vast range of occasion wear alongside smart casual key essentials and a shoe shop on the first floor. 

Our model for the weekend was Natasha Carty from Catwalk Modelling Agency.  Here she is wearing a full length red gown from Olivia Danielle. 

Donal Hackett was on hand taking fabulous images.  For all the latest images and news from the event check out Myweddingstore.

 

Every possible service you need for your wedding was catered for at Expo 2017.  

From a whole host of Hotels including The Clayton Sligo, Kilronan Castle and Harvey's Point Hotel Donegal, there was something for everyone to plan their wedding day.

Bridal dresses from Lamelia Bridal Studio and Dinagh Modes.  The classic elegance and lace choices for 2017 are worth looking at.  

Lots of lovely ideas for Decor and Venue Dressing.  With so many choosing alternative venues it can be transformed to suit you on your wedding day with lots of candles, floral and other decorative elements.

I couldn't resist sampling at the cake stands.  Cakes from Kake Kreationz.

A Wedding Expo would not be complete without wedding singers and in Sligo we had Bernadine Casserly, Michelle Feeney and Stephanie McGarry Priorier to provide beautiful singing throughout the weekend.

 David McConville Orthodontics were on hand to achieve that perfect smile!!

We couldn't resist an opportunity to try the beautiful Wedding Cars. 

Congratulations to Con Durkin from Adams Menswear/FormalWear winning a prize for the Best Stand at the Expo 2017.

If you are walking down the aisle in 2017 you have plenty of options here to choose from.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Enjoy planning your wedding!! 

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