Pure Gold: 1. Best Dressed winner Liz Maher & Faith Amond; 2. Janice Chu; 3. Sarah Williams & John Fitzgerald.
Winner Alright: 1. Ashling Kilduff, Des Cahill & Caroline Sleiman; 2. Liz McManus; 3. Oniesa Owens, Edel Ramberg & Louise O'Reilly. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)
The Hennessy Gold Cup is certainly one of the most stylish events in the Irish social calendar and always attracts a variety of race goers from the worlds of fashion, sport, music and the arts. Despite being postponed by a week due to inclement weather, the day at Leopardstown was well attended with a high standard of style on show for the Best Dressed accolade.
Fashion judges Philip Treacy and Jasmine Guinness were unable to attend the rescheduled date due to conflicting commitments at London Fashion Week, however Hennessy embraced technology and arranged for them to judge the competition remotely from the UK. Images of the finalists were sent to both judges who communicated their views to third judge, the ever elegant Ashling Kilduff from the Design Centre.
The deserving winner was Liz Maher from Co. Carlow and she received a €4,000 voucher for The Design Centre. She impressed the judges with her John Rocha coat and her eye catching head piece, which she designed herself. The runner-up was Faith Amond (also from Carlow!) who received a magnificent neck piece from renowned jewellery designers Erickson Beamon. Faith wore an outfit by Ella Boo and her head piece was designed by Eve O’Reilly.
This year’s race marked the 21st running of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown and a host of specially invited guests were on hand to enjoy the celebrations including Neil Jordan, restaurateur Asheesh Dewan and Tamso Doyle, who was there with pals Gillian Walsh and Paula Geraghty. Others included Emer O’Reilly Hyland, the Hon. Desmond Guinness, designers Claire O’Connor and Heidi Higgins, Anne Marie McManus, Norah Casey and charity campaigner Adi Roche. All enjoyed the day expertly organised by Elevate PR and hosted by Caroline Sleiman.
Speaking of Public Relations, the industry seems to be bouncing back from the recession with a number of agencies celebrating big wins lately. The likes of Burrell, Presence and the aforementioned Elevate continue to attract top brands and well done to them.