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Hats for the Races!

This is a copy of a guest blog post I wrote for Leopardstown Racecourse ahead of the Irish Champions weekend which is on 9th & 10th September 2017. As part of the Irish Champions Weekend Leopardstown Racecourse host the Champion Hat Competition on Saturday 9th in association with Möet & Chandon.

There are 2 distinct hat markets in Ireland; Hats for Weddings and hats for the races. Of course you can wear the same hat to either event but there are certain traits in hats which make them more suitable for a certain event.I meet clients in my studio and a majority of my clients looking for a hat as they are the Mother of the Bride/Groom. A hat for a wedding needs to be suitable for meeting and greeting suits and not block the face for photographs.

A hat for the races however can be the time that you really push the boat out and go for something different and original. Of course the number one rule is to wear something that you are comfortable in but after that you can wear a hat that is as big or as small as you like.

As a milliner I am biased to people wearing real hats. I have to admit I am not a fan of a feather on a comb on the side of the head!! I do think wearing something more substantial is a much better look and can really complement the rest of your outfit.

Last year Leopardstown Racecourse launched The Champion Hat competition to be held on the same weekend as The Irish Champions weekend in

September.

9 August 2016; In attendance during the Champion Hat Photocall at Merrion Hotel in Dublin are, from left, Aoife Harrison, Martha Lynn, Maria Estivariz and Jennifer Wrynne. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

This competition is looking at solely the hats that people are wearing and encourages people to wear something that are unique and individual.

The competition is wonderful for Irish milliners as it gives us a platform to showcase our designs. Last year I had a fun afternoon with fellow Irish milliners Jennifer Wrynne and Martha Lynn modeling our creations in the run up to the Irish Champions Weekend.

The winner last wear was Geraldine Shalvey wearing a stunning headpiece designed by Davina Lynch. Isn’t it amazing!

Leopardstown Racecourse is one of my favorite racecourses to go to as its so convenient in Dublin but it also stages high grade flat and national hunt racing. Here are some hats from my current Spring Summer 2017 Collection to inspire you in the run up to the Irish Champions weekend taking place on 9th & 10th September 2017.

Large Disc with Feather Undercarriage

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