Fashion blooms at the races

IT WAS a Cinderella moment for Lora Beth Molloy as she was chosen as queen of fashion at the Killarney Races.

Judges, celebrity stylists Brendan Courtney from RTÉ’s Off The Rails and the iconic Lisa Fitzgerald, plumped for the stunning preacher from Oklahoma who stood out from the crowd in a stunning fitted gold brocade dress teamed with a black balero jacket.

“It was just so unexpected, if ever a girl felt like Cinderella it’s me. I never thought a girl like me could win anything like this. I really have to give the glory to God, it is only him that could have got a girl from my humble background into the winner’s circle,” she said.

It was Lora Beth’s first time at any race meeting, and her first time at the Bunrower track since she moved to Kerry. She readily admits to not having a clue what is hot on the fashion scene for Ladies’ Day, the jewel in the crown of the July race meeting in Killarney. Her boyfriend, Killarney author and journalist Aidan O’Connor, was there to lend his support.

“Aidan told me that true beauty always shines through, to just go and be myself. So that is what I did, I just came along and was myself. I got my dress when I was home in Oklahoma at Thanksgiving, it only cost me $89 (€63). I got my jacket in Debenhams last week and the icing on the cake was my hat I got it for €26 in TK Maxx. I’ve never worn one before so I had to ask another lady’s advice in the shop.”

Lora Beth was not the only big style winner at the Killarney track on Thursday, where a distinctive red rose hat by Tralee designer Carol Kenneally was the talk of the crowd. Worn by Kilgarvan lady Joann Murphy, it took the honours for the best headpiece, while runners up Denise Cronin from West Cork and Elaine Kelleher from Kilgarvan were cool and stylish in cream dresses.

Fashion judge Brendan Courtney said: “The standard at Killarney was the highest I’ve ever seen. It was hard but we went for originality, someone who conformed to the occasion but put their own private stamp on thing. The race course here might be a wonderfully intimate venue, but you could really get lost in the style.”

One group of girls not quite conforming to the Ladies’ Day norm were eight friends from the Norma O’Donoghue model agency who ditched the dresses in favour of black leggings and made their own statement with showcase headpieces from Irish designer Nia O’Mara.

Other key trends on show included a colour palate that ranged from the classic biscuit and cream, through to vibrant hot pinks and reds.

The rain clouds that doggedly hung over the track for most of the evening failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Killarney Races chairman John Buckley: “We will be looking forward to our next four-day meeting in August now.”