Fashion fans get racy for Fairyhouse

CANARY yellow and bubblegum pink are the winning shades of the season and knee-length strappy dresses and casual linen trouser suits are the winsome styles.

Fashion fans across the country have been invited this weekend to scour their wardrobes for the ultimate racy ensemble in preparation for the Powers Gold Label/Carl Scarpa Best Dressed Lady contest at the Fairyhouse Easter race meeting on Monday next.

With classic styles of the 1950s and Hollywood glamour dominating the rails for spring/summer, sporty ladies are invited to step back in time this Easter when it comes to put a look together for one of the biggest and most popular race meetings of the year.

“Regardless of whether it teems hailstones or the sun shines, ladies expecting to do well in the parade ring at the races this season will be expected to wear flirty, pretty dresses and short summery skirts, it’s the look of the season,” explained well-known said Dublin fashion stylist Gráinne Woodford.

Stunning models Sarah McGovern and Lizanna Kirwin yesterday stepped out in the sharpest new styles from fashion chain Carl Scarpa for the launch of this year’s Best Dressed competition at Fairyhouse, which will see RTÉ’s Off the Rails stylist, Cathy O’Connor, take to the parade ring to judge the trendiest racegoers.

The three-day festival will not only witness the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, but will also experience the hippest of summer style, as Cathy and her panel of adjudicators circulate throughout the racecourse.

Ladies interested in taking part are asked to arrive early as the finalists will be chosen at 2pm, with the presentation taking place at 2.45pm in the parade ring.

This year, the Best Dressed competition has been given an added attraction with a prize valued at over E5,000. The winning lady will not only go home with a Carl Scarpa voucher for E1,000, but will also receive an all-expenses paid shopping trip to Florence thanks to sponsors, Powers Gold Label.

The trip includes flights, three nights accommodation in a first-class hotel, dinner in an exclusive restaurant and an evening in a top nightclub.

The two runners-up will be presented with a Carl Scarpa E500 voucher.

Meanwhile, Powers Gold Label are also offering punters a chance to win a trip to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The prize will include flights, accommodation and VIP passes. To be in with a chance, racegoers will be invited to participate in a quiz to be broadcast on CCTV in the bars and restaurants at Fairyhouse throughout Monday afternoon.