Midlands mother on Bollinger Style Council at Punchestown

Introducing The Bollinger Style Council at Punchestown 2022

A midlands mother of four is a member of The Bollinger Style Council at the Punchestown Great Comeback Festival, which runs from Tuesday April 26 to Saturday April 30.

Kate Nally McCormack is no stranger to the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady competition at Punchestown as she claimed the title at the last live event there, in 2019.

Katie was attending a Longford GAA fundraiser at the Punchestown Pavilion when she caught the eyes of the judges, and she was announced as the daily winner.

That got her a place in the final of the competition on the Friday.

The 38-year-old mother of four girls from Longford is a fashion, lifestyle and interior lover who regularly posts for fun on Instagram at @katiedujour.

She knows what it takes to win and has experienced the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady money can’t buy prize first hand: “it really was the trip of a lifetime, we absolutely loved it!” she said.

The Bollinger Best Dressed Style Council 2022 is “a collective of ladies who have succeeded and excelled in the world of style and business”, according to a press release from Bollinger.

“Encapsulating elegance and sophistication, these selectors have walked the walk and bring knowledge, real life experience and occasion dressing practicality to the best dressed selection process.”

The other Bollinger Style Council members are:

Jess Colivet; having graduated from the London College of style, qualified personal stylist and mother of five Jess Colivet has many fond memories of attending Punchestown from an early age. She looking forward to the Bollinger Style Counsel experience Jess believes that “fashion is less about clothes and more about personal style”. Instagram.

Suzie O’Neill is an award-winning Irish makeup artist and the owner of Ayu Cosmetics, a classic and trendless beauty brand on a mission to give women the confidence to embrace who they are. Her number one beauty rule is ‘less is more’. Instagram.

Michelle O’Sullivan, representing Bollinger International, has observed the evolution of style and occasion dressing at Punchestown since Bollinger’s sponsorship began in 2016. Bollinger say life can be perfect and with years of experience in the industry Michelle knows exactly what encapsulates the iconic Bollinger brand, ethos and customer.

Shona Dreaper of Punchestown explained the thinking behind the Style Counsel concept: “The return of the Bollinger Best Dressed lady competition allowed us to take a fresh look at the who, how and why of the selection process.

“Arguably, the style discussion and verdict at the festival receives as much airtime as some of the racing! Style is opinion based and we wanted real women from different walks of life to each bring something unique to the process.”

The Bollinger Garden in The Style Quarter will be the epicentre of all things fashion at The Punchestown Festival, and from Tuesday to Friday, style scouts will be tasked with finding the most stylish attendees at the racecourse.

Finalists will be selected each day and daily winners will be presented with Bollinger goodie bags complete with Bellamiante, AYU, Decleor and Kotanical products. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday’s winners will be fast-tracked to the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday 29th.

The Bollinger Best Dressed Lady will win a VIP trip for two to visit the Bollinger Estate in France, where they will be given a private tour of the estate and guided tasting opportunities.

The trip includes Michelin star dining, chauffeur transfers, five-star accommodation and more.

Ladies who are keen to compete are advised to go to the races early and make tracks to The Bollinger Garden in The Style Quarter.

The Bollinger Champagne Lounge and Garden will host the daily selections and grand final on Friday.

Ladies are advised to arrive from 1pm, enjoy a stroll through the parade ring enclosure, make their way through the festival shopping venue on Osprey Avenue and on to the reserved enclosure for the racing, live music, wonderful atmosphere and of course, style.