Waterford woman among fashion elite as head-turning look earns Galway Races spotlight

Tramore's Louisa Murphy wowed judges with a look from her own fashion rental business

A Waterford woman was turning heads at the Galway Races last week after being named as one of just five finalists in the hotly contested 'Friday's Most Stylish' competition.

Louisa Murphy from Tramore was singled out for her effortlessly elegant monochrome look, which featured a white and black embroidered dress from Janelle's Boutique in Waterford, a sculpted black headpiece by Millinery by Mel, and accessories from Zara, Penneys and Prada.

Louisa, who runs her own outfit rental business, Saint Style Society, chose the outfit from her own collection and styled it to perfection for Friday evening racing at Ballybrit.

While the overall title went to Westmeath woman Clodagh Cosgrove, the Waterford entrepreneur's look earned praise from celebrity judges, including stylist Marietta Doran and presenter Kayleigh Trappe, at what has become one of the biggest fashion events of Galway Race Week.

The final five were selected from hundreds of entries at the Athlone Towncentre-sponsored event, now in its 13th year.

Clodagh takes home the biggest Prize Fund on offer for the competition yet, a luxury Shop & Stay Break, which is worth in excess of €4500. She has won a €2500 Athlone Towncentre Gift Card, a luxury two-night stay in the four-star Sheraton Athlone Hotel in a Deluxe Tower Room with dinner & spa treatments and a €500 Voucher courtesy of Fields The Jewellers, who are one of the many retailers located in Athlone Towncentre.

Louisa's showing continues a trend of strong fashion representation from the Déise in recent years, with Waterford racegoers regularly appearing in the style stakes at racing festivals.