Louth woman takes runner-up spot in Dublin Horse Show Best Dressed
Laura Engele impressed the judges with her stylish Liu Jo Milan look
The runner-up in the Best Dressed category at this year’s Gallagher Dublin Horse Show was Laura Engele from Louth who walked away with a luxurious package from the InterContinental Hotel, including a two-night stay in a one-bedroom suite, with dinner for two on one evening in its new restaurant, Simmons.
Laura wore a dress, scarf and shoes from Liu Jo Milan, head piece from Fiona Rafter Millinery, earring from a boutique in Dundalk, spray painted gold to match her head piece and a ring borrowed from a friend. Speaking about her win, Laura said: “It’s amazing, it’s like a dream come true”
This year’s Best Dressed winner at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show was Pamela Ryan from Dublin, who walked away with an incredible €10,000 cash prize from Poretti on Thursday, August 6th.
Pamela wore a headpiece, top and skirt from CompleteLook.ie in Galway, shoes from a charity shop and bag from Repeat Edit by Camila. Thursday was Pamela’s first time at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show, after deciding on Wednesday that she would enter the competition.
Speaking about the win Pamela said: “I am in absolute shock, I’m still shaking! I just wasn’t expecting it, the talent today was unbelievable.”
Judges Bairbre Power and Poretti Ireland judge Aoife McNamara said the winning look: “She stood out from the crowd straight away, from the colour of her dress to the hat. Overall, every single detail she had down to a T.”
472 people took to the Best Dressed stage and shared their look with MC Laura Woods and the two judges. Many availed of a makeup touch-up by makeup artists from Irish beauty brand KASH Beauty and hair touch ups by LanaiBlo.
Sustainability dominated the stage with hats created from recycled plastic and outfits either upcycled or borrowed from rental stores or cherished vintage pieces passed down through generations.
The Most Creative Hat, sponsored by Ireland’s Blue Book, was won by Aisling McCarthy from Cork, who received a €2,000 voucher offering unparalleled opportunities for unique stays and fine dining experiences across Ireland’s most charming properties.
Aisling wore a hat she created herself for a hen party, featuring newspaper, grass, pieces of stone and a mug amongst other elements. Aisling said “the whole garden is inside it!” The judges described the winning hat as “one of the most creative hats at the Show for years”.
The Irish Heritage & Sustainability Style Award, sponsored by Jack Murphy, was won by Natasha Rocca Devine from Dublin who took home a €1,500 Jack Murphy wardrobe voucher to curate a lasting, heritage-inspired look. Natasha wore a hat from her mum, who wore the hat on Natasha’s stepdad Van Morrison’s album cover for ‘No Prima Donna,’ a suit borrowed from her grandmother, shoes by Christian Dior and a bag from Chanel.
New for this year, Best Classic Elegance Award, sponsored by Cashel Palace Hotel, was won by Tariq Anwar from Co. Dublin who will enjoy an overnight suite stay for two with dinner in the Michelin-starred Bishop’s Buttery and a €100 for The Boutique at Cashel Palace.