First time entrant in stunning outfit crowned Punchestown Best Dressed on Day 1

A first time entrant to the Best Dressed Ladies competition was the winner on Day 1 of Punchestown 2024.

Pharmacist Ciara Toolen from Dublin wowed the Style Council with her outfit on Tuesday. 

The Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council, comprised of fashion industry experts Jess Colivet, Roxanne Parker, and Lawson Mpame, faced a difficult task in selecting a winner from the array of stylish contenders. However, Ciara's ensemble stood out for its sophistication and timeless appeal, earning high praise from the judges and securing her victory.

Reflecting on the competition, judge Jess Colivet remarked, "The first day of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition at Punchestown racecourse was full of stylish outfits, even with the changing weather. People showed off their elegant and stylish looks, making it tough for us judges to pick a winner. But one person stood out for their sophistication and grace, winning everyone's admiration."

Ciara's inspiration for her winning look stemmed from a hat she had owned, using it as the centrepiece to curate a stunning ensemble that perfectly complemented the atmosphere of the Punchestown Festival.

Despite the initial damp start to the day, attendees remained undeterred, bringing an abundance of style and glamour to the event. As the day progressed, the sunshine emerged, illuminating the Bollinger garden and adding to the splendour of the occasion.

Ciara Toolen's triumph in the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition marks a memorable moment in her fashion journey and reinforces Punchestown Festival's reputation as a premier destination for high fashion and horse racing enthusiasts alike.

The attendance was up on the opening day of the festival last year with 16,361 in comparison to 14,937 in 2023. The first race tomorrow (Wednesday) goes to post at 2.30pm the feature being the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup at 5.25pm.

Meet the Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council for Punchestown 2024. They will be back each day to pick the best dressed with an overal winner selected on Ladies Day on Friday.

Lead Judge – Jess Colivet - @jesscolivet  

Personal stylist and content creator Jess Colivet, is based in Kildare, Ireland, and her Instagram feed is full of great fashion inspiration.

After completing a postgraduate degree at Trinity and a trend forecasting course at the London College of Style, Jess started her Instagram journey in 2020 and has been charting her style ever since.

This is Jess’s 3rd year leading the Style Council at the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition at Punchestown Festival.

"Personal style should be an extension of your personality and the version of yourself that you want to share with the world. To me, there is nothing more stylish than someone wearing their clothes with confidence. Don’t let age define your style."

Jessica O’Mahony @jeskaomahony 

Jessica is our newest addition to the Style Council for Bollinger Best Dressed 2024.

As a busy mum of three, Jessica has amassed a following of over 95,000 Instagram (@jeskaomahony) followers thanks to her enviable sense of style from formal occasion wear to casual match day outfits and everything in between.

Whilst more familiar pitch side than track side, as Jessica’s husband is Peter O’Mahony, captain of the victorious Six Nations Irish rugby team, the Cork woman is looking forward to embracing this new experience.

"Whilst I’m as comfortable in casual wear I do love an excuse to pull out all the stops and a big day out at the races with friends is just that, not to mention the amazing prize from Bollinger.”

Eve Gottesman & Michelle O’Sullivan @Champagne_Bollinger

Bollinger is a timeless classic. A world renowned brand built on heritage and craft.

It is the taste and soul of Champagne. Much of Bollinger’s success today is traced back to ‘Lily’ who married into the family and took over the reins in 1914.

In a continuation of female influence at Bollinger, today Michelle and Eva will represent at the Punchestown Festival. They will be looking for essence of Bollinger in the winner – elegance and style.

Suzie O Neill @suzie.ayu

Kildare resident and award-winning entrepreneur Suzie O’Neill is the owner and CEO of Ayu Cosmetics and Koolfit Apparel.

Suzie’s ethos has always been about engagement with the customer and using feedback to inspire and develop new products. This will be Suzie’s second year on The Style Council at Punchestown.

Suzie’s business journey started with a range of affordable, premium quality brushes back in 2015 and since then AYU has expanded to include a full suite of cosmetics with many new and innovative products in the pipeline.

A champion of women in business Suzie has a team of over 35 talented women and men across her brands.

When not running her successful business this busy Mum is running marathons with Clane Athletics Club.

Roxanne Parker @roxanne_parker

Roxanne Parker began her journalism career 20 years ago and has been working as a fashion stylist for more than 20 years.

Roxanne’s styling skills are highly sought after for magazine and print media editorials and designer brand look books as well as curating television broadcast wardrobes.

Roxanne writes a monthly sustainability column “A Better Way” for Social & Personal magazine and has dressed celebrities in sustainable looks for the red carpet. Roxanne has launched a Sustainable Fashion Podcast My Soul Style.

Roxanne champions sustainable and slow fashion and supports designers and brands creating pieces with a planet conscious mission while encouraging people to dress as their authentic selves and not be a slave to trends.

A Roxanne style top tip would be to source a great tailor and alterations service which can transform existing items or elevate great second hand finds.

Lawson Mpame @lawsofstyle

Lawson Mpame is a Creative Director and menswear stylist who has been working in the fashion industry for seven years.

His passion for fashion and storytelling through visual mediums has led to collaborations and projects with some of the biggest fashion brands in the world.

Styling their latest collections and creating high end content allows Lawson to showcase both his style and creativity. The three pillars of his brand are class, creativity and confidence.

2024 will be Lawson’s second year on The Style Council and his very first visit to the Punchestown Festival.

David O Connor @styledoc

Louis Copeland Group GM/Creative Director/ Made-To-Measure specialist.

Aptly named known as ‘The Style Doctor’ David has been working with the Louis Copeland group for over twenty years where he has styled some of the sharpest dressed, well known gentlemen including actors Patrick Dempsey and John C Reilly, celebrity chef Donal Skeahan, Tv Presenter and Olympian Greg O’Shea and globally renowned Mentalist Keith Barry.

This will be David’s Punchestown debut and as a passionate flag bearer of gentlemen’s style he will be looking for impeccable grooming, excellent tailoring fit and perhaps a different take on the traditional occasion suit.

Keen to champion gentlemen’s style and optimize the opportunity for the title to go the way of the men for the first time, David will be looking for perfect fit through great tailoring as well as attention to detail on presentation.