Punchestown 2009 Best Dressed Lady
7 January 2011
Media Announcement:
"BEST DRESSED BRINGS OUT THE BEST OF IRISH"
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THE SEARCH BEGINS FOR A "WOMAN OF STYLE SUBSTANCE" at the Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady Competition at the Punchestown Festival 2009
- The Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Competition will be a Celebration of Irish Heritage and Style
- Winner of the Newbridge Silverware Dressed Lady Competition at Punchestown Races 2009 will truly be a "Woman of Style Substance"
- Iconic Irish Figures line up to Judge the Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady at Punchestown 2009
- PRIZE BONANZA REMAINS AT OVER €50,000. The Highest Value Best Dressed Lady Prize Fund Available
Nostalgia, a celebration of Irish heritage and a return to style basics will be on the cards at the Punchestown Racing Festival this year, as a selection of leading Irish figures unite on the legendary racecourse to judge the Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady Competition.
The Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady Competition at Punchestown Race Course has become firmly established as the most stylish event in the Racing Calendar where Ireland's most stylish people will be competing for a PRIZE BONANZA valued at over €50,000, from Tuesday April 28th to Friday May 1st.
The 2009 Best Dressed Event will be a celebration of the phenomenal 257 year heritage that jointly exists between these two great Irish institutions - Punchestown Race Course (est. 1827) and Newbridge Silverware (est. 1934)
Continuing with the Celebration of our Heritage, Newbridge Silverware are proud to announce an all Irish line-up for the 2009 Best Dressed Lady Judging Panel. Notable figures associated with Irish Entertainment, Media, Design, Business and Ireland`s most renowned festival - The Rose of Tralee will all be present.
The Panel will include:
Irelands top TV Personality - Gay Byrne, Top News Anchor - Anne Doyle, Leading Irish Entrepreneur - Jacqui Lavin, The Rose Of Tralee - Aoife Kelly, Top Irish Designer - Synan O`Mahony, Editor of Weekend Mag and top Stylist - Bairbre Power and from the World of Horse Racing, Gillian Walsh, wife of the legendary Ruby Walsh.
The Search for the .Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed lady. will be held once again over the first four days of the Punchestown Festival from Tuesday April 28th . Friday May 1st.
The ultimate goal for the judges will be to find a Woman of True Style Substance - befitting of the title of the Best Dressed Lady at Punchestown.
During the first three days of the festival, the Newbridge Silverware panel of celebrity judges will select a Best Dressed Lady Finalist, who, as well as receiving prizes worth €5,000, will go forward to the Grand Final which will be held on Ladies Day, May 1st. An additional two finalists will be selected on Ladies Day making up a grand final of five ladies. The overall winner of the title of Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady will receive a grand prize of €30k worth of Newbridge Silverware products.
In a return to the style basics, Newbridge Silverware outline a series of criteria that will form the basis of the adjudication process at the Best Dressed Lady Competition. (see CRITERIA below). "The 2009 Best Dressed Competition will be a true celebration of Irish Style and Heritage says Phil Donnelly, Marketing Manager, Newbridge Silverware. Over the last four years, the Best Dressed Lady Competition at Punchestown has evolved into the ultimate fashion event in the racing Calendar, paying tribute to the innate sense of style of the Irish lady. |
This year our panel of judges will be on a quest to find that individual that demonstrates the ability to put together a winning ensemble irrespective of the price tag. Individuality, authenticity and finesse will be the order of the day".
Welcoming the announcement Dick O Sullivan General Manager of Punchestown said "The Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady Prize is as prestigious a prize as many of the races at Punchestown. I am particularly pleased that this year the emphasis will be on style and originality, we are looking forward to the Punchestown Festival being once again Ireland's most stylish and glamorous race meeting".
The 5 day Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown will take place from Tuesday 28th April - Saturday 2nd May 2009.
THE STYLE BASICS
Best Dressed GOES BACK TO THE STYLE BASICS
"The winner of the Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady Competition at Punchestown Races 2009 will truly be a Woman of Style Substance"
Authenticity and Originality
Judges will be expecting each outfit to display an element of originality reflecting the candidate's personal style and individuality.
Candidates are urged to push the fashion boundaries and redefine the "look" of a racing day ensemble.
Ensembles with some history or an interesting background story are very much encouraged.
Style Substance
Each ensemble must display a defined style ethos. Candidates may adhere to a particular design theme or may create a more eclectic style mix by combining modern with classical elements.
Ultimately the complete ensemble must sit together effortlessly and must exude finesse and practicality.
The Art of Accessorizing
The accessories being used by each candidate will be assessed in detail by the judges.
Accessories include hats, scarves, jewellery, gloves, handbags, wraps / pashminas / umbrellas, shoes or any other element chosen by each candidate to complete the outfit.
The relevance of each will be judged and assessed as to whether or not they compliment the ensemble.
Personal Grooming
A key criteria for all candidates relates to their personal grooming.
Candidates are urged to ensure hair, nails, tan and make - up are all up to the standard befitting the winner of the Newbridge Silverware Best Dressed Lady Competition.
Budget
The key message for all prospective candidates for this year's Best Dressed Competition is that Style does not have to break the bank.
Each individual may determine their own budget for their outfit but the judges are urging candidates to create their "look" for less.
Ladies are encouraged to choose less luxuriant labels / high street fashion and add an individual twist or element to reflection their own individuality.
The resurrection of older vintage garments is very much recommended.
A true Woman of Style Substance should be able to demonstrate her ability to create a winning ensemble without the hefty price tag.
Exclusions
The following individuals are not allowed to participate in the Best Dressed Competition:
- Individuals with a recognized Professional Career linked to Fashion.
- Individuals with an association with any of the judges.
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Irish National Hunt Festival Fact Sheet 2009
- The First Race Meeting at Punchestown took place in 1827
- The attendance at the 2008 Punchestown Festival was over 106,000, a modern day record.
- Irish National Hunt Festival at Punchestown is worth over €70 million to the local and National economy
- The Festival is responsible for 2,000 full and part time jobs in the local economy.
- Total Prize Fund of €2.6 million with Eleven Grade One races - more than any other race meeting in Europe
- Five key sponsors - Kerrygold, Guinness, Ladbrokes.com, Rabobank and Ballymore sponsor races valued over €1 million.
- Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Alan King are among the British trainers that returned home with three of the five feature races in 2008.
- Punchestown is the largest Corporate Sporting Event in Ireland - 30,000 corporate clients in 2008
- GAA Fundraisers have raised over €1million at the Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival
- Non corporate clients catered for with the Party& Punchestown Pack - an all inclusive pack containing admission, a drink voucher, Tote voucher and official racecard valued at €42 but available to groups of 10 or more for just €29pp
- Family Day Programme on Saturday 2nd May incorporating an art competition in local schools. In 2008, the inaugural fifth day attracted 20,000 racegoers 4,000 of which were children.
- Shopping Village housing over 70 retailers ranging from jewellery and clothing to art, furniture and giftware.
- The Festival Entertainment Package includes live music and interviews, street theatre, competitions, celebrity tipsters and children's activities throughout the Festival.
- General Admission is €30 with Students and OAPs paying just €15.
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