Galway Races: ‘Simple and classical' Dior-inspired dress helps local woman claim five-figure Ladies Day prize
The €10,000 first prize for the Best-Dressed Lady competition went to Megan Cunniss, of Bohermore, Co Galway, who took inspiration from vintage Dior fashion for her winning outfit.
Ms Cunniss said she was stunned when she heard her name being called as the winner at the podium yesterday afternoon.
It was crazy – the style was so good this year
'I'm so overwhelmed. I'm so thrilled with the win,' she said.
'It was crazy – the style was so good this year. It's so good every year, but I felt like my outfit was very simple and classical.'
The dress was custom-made and undoubtedly a show-stopper. Ms Cunniss explained that she drew inspiration from an icon of the fashion world for her outfit.
'It was actually inspired by Dior archive from the 1950s – the black and white crisp dress,' she said.
'I just brought it to life and I added some buttons to it, buttons to the side. I just made my own drawings and sketches and I found a guy in France and he designs dresses, and he made it for me.'
While no stranger to the Galway Races, Ms Cunniss said it was her first time taking part in Ladies Day.
A proud Bohermore native, she even added a local detail on her outfit. 'Gina Sewing Services in Liosban Industrial Estate – she alters all my dresses. There is not a dress in my wardrobe that she has not done and she just makes them to perfection. She's amazing,' she added.
It was sunshine and smiles for the thousands of racegoers among the bumper crowd but one lady smiling wider than most was Breda Butler, from Co Tipperary, who won the prestigious Best Hat prize.
Her entire look was a tribute to her native Tipperary's recent success in the All-Ireland hurling final.
Ms Butler, from Thurles, won with a blue headpiece by Michelle Kearns of Tuam, Co Galway.
My inspiration actually came from Tipperary winning the All-Ireland
After being awarded the €3,000 prize, she said: 'The headpiece is by Michelle Kearns in Tuam and it's meant to complement the Sharon Hoey AndTate outfit.
'My inspiration actually came from Tipperary winning the All-Ireland this year. At the semi-final, I said, 'I'm going to wear blue'. It's not a colour I usually wear, and Sharon did a phenomenal job with this two-piece and then Michelle, last minute, said, 'It has to be blue'.'
Ms Butler's look was finished off with a gold handbag and shoes, which arrived just in the nick of time on Wednesday night.
'I'm shocked. I'm absolutely honoured, it's such a prestigious award,' she said. 'I've been a finalist before. I've been coming for the last 25 years probably, at this stage. But it's the first time to win actually a prize.
'I'm here with my husband and I have a lot of friends here as well. So we're staying here tonight, we have a small boy at home. I'm sure he'll be watching, he'll be thrilled and he'll have a lot of plans for the €3,000.'
Judging hundreds of amazing outfits throughout the day was Galway woman and owner of Catwalk Modelling Agency Mandy Maher, on her fourth outing as head judge.
Also among the cohort of judges were last year's Best-Dressed Lady winner and owner of Lisa's Lust List, Lisa McGowan, and Niamh Ryan, co-founder of Ella & Jo, who sponsored this year's Best Dressed competition.
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