Áine Malone Wins Highly Sought After ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ Title

38 weeks pregnant Áine Malone from Edenderry, Co. Offaly has been announced as winner of ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ sponsored by Athlone Towncentre at this year’s Galway Races. Wearing a maternity dress from Asos, Áine elevated her look with shoes from Ted Baker and a handbag from Dune. She completed her race going outfit with a colourful feather headpiece designed and made by local Edenderry Milliner Teresa Nugent. The easy elegance of her outfit perfectly complemented Friday Summer evening racing in Ballybrit. One of the key reasons Áine was chosen as winner of the Style Competition was how she created a wholly individual look incorporating pieces from high street stores and local designers available also in independent boutiques which is reflective of the offerings the variety of retailers housed in Athlone Towncentre provide.

37 year old Áine takes home the biggest Prize Fund on offer for the competition yet, which is worth in excess of €3000. She has won a €1500 Athlone Towncentre shopping spree, a two night luxury hotel & spa break at Sheraton Athlone Hotel, an Emporio Armani Watch courtesy of Fields The Jeweller and bespoke head piece created by Milliner Suzie Mahony plus racing hat hire for the year.

‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ has proven to be one of the biggest gatherings of race going fashion lovers to date on the Friday of the Festival. Celebrity judges James Patrice, RTÉ Television Presenter and Marietta Doran, Fashion Stylist & Racing Style Presenter were joined by Shirley Delahunt, Manager of Athlone Towncentre. With the competition in its seventh year, the spotlight has been on fashion forward style mirrored in the contemporary retailers resident in Athlone Towncentre.

Speaking about her delight at being announced as winner of ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ sponsored by Athlone Towncentre secondary school teach Áine said “I’m absolutely thrilled to have won Athlone Towncentre’s ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’! I decided to come for a day to enjoy the Galway Races with my friends. I only received my outfit on Wednesday from ASOS! I then went to Milliner Teresa Nugent yesterday to see if I could get a headpiece from her that matched the dress. I’m also wearing jewellery which belonged to my mother. She passed in February of this year and I know she was watching over me today.”

James said upon the announcement “When I say that choosing a winner today for Athlone Towncentre’s ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ here at the Galway Races was an arduous task – that would be an understatement! Marietta and I had our work cut out for us from the get go, but I couldn’t be happier with our decision. Marietta & I had actually chosen Áine separately. When we reconvened we realised we both adored her look. I think that Áine really embodies the fact that races fashion is for everyone. Áine is literally two weeks away from having her second child and she wasn’t going to let anything stop her. She made her way here, looked fabulous, ordered a dress that literally arrived two days ago and she’s my kind of gal because she showed that you can have winning racing style by going to browse somewhere like Athlone Towncentre, pick up some pieces at great prices and pull an outfit together in a heartbeat.   Áine really captured the essence of what we were looking for, and is the perfect example of the effortless and ultimately accessible style that the high street names in Athlone Towncentre have to offer. Her look could easily transition to a whole host of occasions, which is something I firmly believe in – picking up pieces that you know you’ll get the wear out of again & again. You can’t beat a good fashion find!”

Marietta was confident in the winning choice stating “Áine Malone from Offaly was my absolute winner from the very very start looking at her sense of colour and her sense of fun. Her headpiece from Teresa Nugent Millinery was so complimentary to that fabulous dress. Her look just had everything – it was stylish, relaxed and fun as well as feeling festive. That she was 38 weeks pregnant had really nothing to do with it other than the fact that she just looked amazing. Her class was highlighted in that she was one of the most gracious winners I ever had the pleasure of crowning at ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ here at the Galway Races.”

Athlone Towncentre Manager Shirley Delahunt says “we are thrilled to see another deserving winner of this year’s ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ competition. The decision in choosing a winner proved to be highly challenging with so many beautiful looks worn by women enjoying this evening’s Racing in Galway. Áine has demonstrated that racing style is more about reflecting ones’ individual personality and flair for style as opposed to spending an exorbitant amount of money on clothing one cannot wear more than a handful of times. The Friday evening of race week has undoubtedly found its place on the calendars of stylish race goers from far & wide. We have seen a real evolution of style at the races over the last number of years which perfectly complements the 60 high street stores and boutiques we house in Athlone Towncentre.”

Social Media fans can check out behind the scenes action on the Athlone Towncentre Facebook and Instagram accounts as Virgin Media ‘Weekend AM’ Stylist and previous winner of ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ Rebecca Rose took them over for the day. Rebecca showcased the style on view at ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ competition as well as giving viewers exclusive access to what happens behind the scenes on the day.

Talking about Friday’s Festival meet, Michael Maloney, General Manager of Galway Racecourse said “the Friday of our seven day Festival has grown from strength to strength. Style competitions at Galway Racecourse such as ‘Friday’s Most Stylish’ sponsored by Athlone Towncentre add to the excitement and enjoyment of the day. Advance ticket sales were very strong again this year, proving its huge appeal and popularity. With an array of great horse racing, new live bands, DJ’s and the reveal of our new Wilson Lynch two storey building, this year’s Galway Races has shown it’s a winner alright!”

Athlone Towncentre is home to major contemporary fashion brands including Zara, River Island and H&M as well as boutiques. It is an ideal shopping destination with over 60 brands under one roof as well as numerous food offerings catering to all tastes.

ENDS