Latest news with #BollingerBestDressed
Extra.ie
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Polka Loco: From Minnie Mouse to Kate Middleton — why we're all still dotty for spots
From Minnie Mouse to Princess Diana, polka print fashion has proved eternally stylish. And in ten years, 2025 polka dot print has made a massive resurgence with fashion lovers going polka loco – for dot dresses, spotted shirts and circle print skirts. The polka dot trend was on show at last week's Punchestown Festival where an array of sartorial conscious racegoers pouting their very best polka dot feet forward. Ciara Denvir, from Belfast, who was the overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Pic: Michael Chester But polka dot fashion is not merely the purvey of cutesy cartoon mice or high society as the high stress is polka dot heaven which people are quite simply dotty about. The iconic Disney character Minnie made her debut in 1928 at the Walt Disney Animation Studio wearing what has become an instant recognisable trademark pink and white polka dot dress. Fun Minnie Mouse fact – the now-legendary dots were initially excluded in the early films due to the difficulty of animating them. Disney alternatively depicted the nostalgic spotted skirt in still images. Genevieve Ryan, from Co Roscommon, who was the winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival. Pic: Michael Chester But first a quick sartorial step back in time to see how this particular style of print has ,not only lasted, but has evolved and reinvented through the ages. For most our very first introduction to the polka dot print in fashion came courtesy of that little very stylish minx herself Minnie Mouse. Minnie Mouse. Pic:for Disney hen in the 19020's Madame Fashion herself Coco Chanel integrated the pattern into her designs with the simple polka dot now an emblem of empowering women as Chanel server more transformed the playful print into one that exuded feminine flair. The spot's legacy continued to dot into the '80s and '90s when the Princess of fashion herself Princess Diana cut a very dotted dash as she graced the royal box at the 1988 Ascot dressed in a classic navy and white polka dot dress. Princess Diana at Ascot in 1988. Pic: Jayne Fincher/PrincessThe love of spotted and dotted dresses has been emulated by the present Princess of Wales Kate Middleton who wears dots with aplomb. So while polka dots carry flirty and fun connotations and the innocence of childhood and carefree days they also exude a touch of elegance blended with high-society sophistication. So whether you're a Minnie Mouse fan or an adorer of Diana, spotted fashion is something we can all get dotty about.
Belfast Telegraph
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Elegance personified': NI woman picks up best dressed honours at annual Punchestown Festival
The 2025 meet was the biggest ever held at the Co Kildare venue, with a record 136,651 people turning out and enjoying the racing and fine weather. Belfast woman Ciara Denvir took the crown in the Bollinger Best Dressed competition on Friday, winning a trip for two to Paris, the Champagne Region. Reims and the Bollinger Estate, as well as a year's supply of Champagne Bollinger. Denvir stunned onlookers and judges with a carefully curated monochrome ensemble, which she said was entirely taken from her own wardrobe. The Belfast woman wore a cream and black hat designed by Awon Golding Millinery London, which she teamed a cream and black polka dot blouse by Coosy Studio (a Spanish brand), a black skirt by Romanian brand ATU Body Couture and a belt she's had for over 20 years. Her Dior earrings were several years old, while her statement green Prada shoes were bought last year in the sales. Finally, her bag was by Irish designer August Night and a ring from Boodles. The item was a gift from her husband, Peter Boyle, to mark their 25th wedding anniversary. Its purchase led to an invitation from the brand to join them for at the festival. "I feel absolutely overwhelmed and completely excited, I couldn't believe it,' Denvir – who previously won RTÉ's home of the year – told the broadcaster. "I've never been to the races before, and never entered a best dressed. I am looking forward to a wonderful and beautiful prize." Head Judge Jess Colivet said Ciara was 'elegance personified'. "We were looking for a curated look from head to toe, and I just felt this woman was elegance personified,' she said. "Her outfit was a beautiful monochrome classic look with a twist, and then the bravery of wearing that green shoe. She wore her look with confidence, elegance and style, a great winner for Bollinger.' The festival finale, Ballymore Family Day on Saturday saw 33,158 junior racegoers, families, socialisers and racing fans descend on the track compared with 25,396 on the same day last year. Conor O'Neill, CEO Punchestown commented 'The glorious weather ensured another beano festival here at Punchestown. "Whether you're 5 or 95 there has been something for everyone here at Punchestown this week and that's what it's all about.'
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ex-RTE Home of the Year star pays tribute to ‘glamorous' mum who died of cancer after winning Punchestown Best Dressed
A FORMER winner of RTE's Home of the Year was named overall Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival - and dedicated it to her late mum. Ciara Denvir from Belfast was crowned overall winner on day four of the festival on Friday. Advertisement 2 Ciara Denvir from Belfast the Overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival Credit: Michael Chester 2 The origins of her outfit ranged from Ireland, the UK, Italy, and Romania Credit: Michael Chester Denvir, who won Home of the Year in 2019 alongside husband Peter Boyle , wowed in a polka dot blouse from Coosy Studio in Spain. She added this to a black skirt from ATU Body Couture in Romania and a pair of green shoes from Prada. Her black bag is from Irish designer August Night, while her hat came from Awon Golding which is based in London. As prize for her victory, Denvir won a trip to the Bollinger Estate in France's stunning Champagne region. Advertisement Read More on Punchestown The trip will involve a five-star Paris hotel, Michelin dining experience, flights and more. She dedicated the accolade to her mum who died from cancer 18 months ago and who Ciara described as "always glamorous". The big race on day four of the Festival was the Bollinger Champion Hurdle. Advertisement Most read in Sport It promised a Constitution Hill was looking to gain redemption after a pair of devastating falls at Cheltenham and Aintree. Shocking moment jockey is hit in the head after horse crashes into railings in chaotic race at Punchestown Festival But it was State Man who romped home to a dominant victory to bag a hat-trick of Champion Hurdles. Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace outbattled Kargese to finish second but four and three quarter lengths behind the easy winner. Advertisement And trainer Willie Mullins praised his horse for getting the job done. He told Racing TV: "The Constitution Hill that we all know didn't turn up today. "Our fella did the job and did it well and he beat another Champion Hurdle winner. "The cheekpieces help him concentrate in front and have made a big difference. Advertisement "He doesn't have to make the running – he's versatile and very uncomplicated in that sense. "That will be him for the season and hopefully we can get him back in the same form next season. "Paul [Townend] is his biggest fan and has never wavered in his belief in him."
Extra.ie
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Home of the Year winner wins again as Best Dressed at Punchestown
A former Home of the Year winner is winning once again, this time taking the title of overall Best Dressed at the 2025 Punchestown Festival. Belfast woman Ciara Denvir stole the show in a stunning black and white ensemble. The sun was once again shining as crowds of eager revellers packed into Punchestown for the fourth day of the racing festival. Ciara Denvir, from Belfast, who was the overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Pic: Michael Chester And it was a very lucky day for Ciara, who had never been to the races before this week. Ciara Denvir, from Belfast, who was the overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Pic: Michael Chester Speaking to EVOKE following her win, she revealed that she picked up her gorgeous hat from Awon Golding, a millinery based in London. Ciara Denvir, from Belfast, who was the overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Pic: Michael Chester Her shoes are from Prada, while the stunning polka dot blouse was acquired from Coosy Studio in Spain. Meanwhile, Ciara's black skirt was a purchase from Romania's ATU Body Couture, meaning the outfit is from across the world. This is the second big win for Ciara in the last number of years, as she and husband Peter Boyle were crowned the winners of the popular RTE show Home of the Year in 2019.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rugby legend Shane Byrne opens up about pride for his daughter in Rose of Tralee
Former rugby player Shane Byrne opened up about his pride at his daughter in the Rose of Tralee. The former Leinster star cheered on his daughter, Kerry, at last year's Rose of Tralee competition, which was hosted by Daithi O Se and Kathryn Thomas. Shane was a guest at the Bollinger champagne tent on the third day of the Punchestown Racing Festival, where he opened up about his pride for his daughter. He said: "It was is all completely her. We didn't have anything to do with it. "The then-Wicklow Rose was a girl from Arklow and that sparked her interest. "She told us she was going to do it and we thought 'Oh brilliant'. She was brilliant. She was really, really impressive. The rollercoaster that is the Rose of Tralee. "But the main thing is she was happy doing it. She made lifelong friends." He shared his pride watching his daughter on stage. "She was nice and calm. There was no real stress," he added. Shane was among the 20,228 who attended day three of Punchestown Races - compared to 18,289 on the same day last year. Elsewhere, at the Bollinger tent, Kildare native Maria Osborne, 41, was crowned Thursday's finalist of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition. The mum-of-three dedicated her win to her daughter Rosie. She said: "I'm having a really good day. "I've had three kids and it's been a decade so I'm back racing now." Speaking about her win, she said it was so exciting to be a finalist ahead of Friday's grand final of winning a trip for two to the Bollinger champagne region of France. Psychologist Maria said she dedicated her win to her seven-year-old Rosie. "Without a doubt, my little girl Rosie. She's seven. She has her own unique style. "She was in the changing room when I was buying it. She was really excited." Maria wowed the Best Dressed judges with her outfit from Aoife McNamara while her shoes are Jimmy Choos from Vinted. Her hat - a Marc Millinery rental from Hats Amore in Newbridge - was teamed with an old Zara bag she had at home, while her Chanel sunglasses were borrowed from her sister. The Head of the Bollinger Style Council, Jess Colivet commented "the style and colour was amazing today, they really followed the brief - something old, something new - and the decision was very tough, it really came down to the finishing touches like shoes and jewellery." Maria will join previous daily winners Genieve Ryan and Oniesa Owens, who have fast-tracked through to today's grand finale when the overall winner of the 2025 Bollinger Best Dressed Competition will be announced. The first race today goes to post at 3.40pm and the feature race on the card is the highly anticipated, Boodles Champion Hurdle (Grade 1).
