Wexford woman scoops top prize at first racing style event of the season at Curragh racecourse with her individual sense of style
Catherine Furlong won the Tipperary Crystal Romi Dublin Virtual Style Event at the Curragh Racecourse on Saturday, the first racing style event of the season. Judged by stylists and presenters Judy Gilroy and Lorna Weightman, the annual glamour outing was held as a virtual event, which saw approximately 100 entrants show off their creative and colourful outfits online, all vying for the winning prize. The ultimate winner was 33-year-old Catherine Furlong, a primary school teacher from Ballintober, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
Catherine fashioned a beautiful colourful coat, from iclothing, as a dress. Her headpiece was by Kilkenny milliner Alison Roe, shoes from River Island, bought on sale, and bag was ‘Karigari by S’ from Etsy. Catherine used the Impressionist painters as inspiration for her individual sense of style. The judges were looking for an Individual & Authentic Racing Style in line with the Romi brand "As Individual as you" and Catherine’s look ticked all the right boxes.
Judges Laura and Judy noted Catherine’s use of colour and her ability to re-style a piece into a new outfit. “Catherine’s use of colour – from her dress to her shoes - shows off her individual style and is ideal for the Curragh. We all need more colour in our lives! And her smile was so natura in her photograph so we could see how comfortable and confident she was in her outfit,” they shared on Instagram Live announcing the results.
Catherine received the much sought-after prize of €1,000 Tipperary Crystal voucher for Romi Dublin jewellery, redeemable online at www.tipperarycrystal.ie, a magnum of Taittinger champagne and four admission tickets to next year's Irish Guineas Festival at The Curragh.
Two other finalists also received Tipperary Crystal hampers worth €500. They were Gemma McDonagh (52). A nurse from Headford, Co Galway, Gemma self-designed her two-piece outfit. Inspired by a pantsuit she saw online and using material she bought in the Garment Centre, New York, she worked with a seamstress friend to create her unique outfit. Her headpiece from Roscommon milliner Laura Hanlon, added a dash of summer flair to the look, accompanied by shoes from Zara and handbag from Top Shop. Brid Brouder, from Limerick, also championed vibrant colours with her look. She wore a pink cape jumpsuit from Lavish Alice, flower-crown headpiece made by local milliner Aoife Hannon, shoes from New Look and a camisole underneath from Zara.
Speaking about her win, Catherine said she has enjoyed entering virtual style events over the past year. “I love the opportunity to get dressed up. I’ve been based in Wexford, working on the farm with my dad, so it’s been a way to meet new people. We connect around these events and will definitely meet in real-life in the future! It’s also nice to have the chance to dress up,” she laughed."I start back teaching on Monday in Kilkenny, so this is a great way to celebrate the weekend," she continued.
Speaking to hundreds of people online as they announced the winners, the judges noted the impact of the pandemic on traditional style events on-course. “Despite not being at the racetrack, women around the country didn’t hold back on getting Race Day glam. They snapped pictures in kitchens, gardens and hallways; connecting online and bringing colour to their day. We can’t wait to see them at the races soon!”
Racing continues at Curragh Racecourse tomorrow (Sunday) for the second day of the famous Tatterstalls Irish Guineas Festival. Racing can be seen on RTE Racing and RTE One.
