Olga McCullough, a young electrician, was initially uncertain when her aunt, a designer based in New York, suggested she don an original creation for the Ladies’ Day event at the annual RDS Dublin Horse Show. Although not fashion-orientated, McCullough was intrigued but assumed her aunt had let the idea drop. However, her aunt contacted her a couple of months back, with the intention of pursuing the design.
McCullough slipped into a unique attire crafted entirely from reimaginged fabric featuring “The Canine Chronicles” newsprint. The crowd at the RDS Band Lawn on Thursday afternoon observed her along with other competitors participating in the 1664 Blanc Best Dressed competition. The dress – a four-month labour of love – was paired with a black top hat by Philip Treacy, vintage lace gloves, and an exception in the form of black heels from Marks and Spencer, the only piece not contributed by her aunt, who resides in Knocklyon.
In the same competition queue, Fanny Savickis, a Cuban-American yoga instructor, was seen capturing a selfie with her attention-grabbing yellow and black headpiece. Savickis attributed the vivid attire to fashion designer Claire Garvey, who attends her yoga classes in Clondalkin. Garvey transformed discarded yoga mats from Savickis into a fashion statement, making the instructor feel like royalty. Savickis expressed her adoration for Garvey’s commitment to crafting from recycled materials, emblematic of positivity.
Kathy Clarke, hailing from Monkstown, had the distinction of donning a vintage piece of couture at a competitive event on a recent Thursday. Beaming with glee, she explained that the headwear she was sporting was the same one that Nora Barnacle wore for her nuptials with famed author James Joyce. She divulged that the couple tied the knot late in their lives, with Joyce’s intent on gaining entry into Switzerland being the primary reason behind the marriage.
Ms Clarke’s association with the Joyce Tower Museum in Sandycove as a volunteer led to her acquisition of the hat from an Italian museum in Trieste, 15 years ago. In her possession, the eco-friendly, sun-proof hat has seen frequent usage.
According to her, Barnacle, despite the hardships she faced due to her problematic spouse, was a woman of immense interest. She did not hesitate to label Joyce’s behaviour – characterised by his irresponsibility and fondness for alcohol – as inappropriate, while simultaneously acknowledging his indisputable genius.
Close to this near-century-old hat wearer was another contender donning a hat that was freshly pieced together in a matter of days. This participant was the Bruckless local, Ingrida Proberkaite, who opportunistically attended the Dublin horse show with no prior planning. Her peacock-feathered headpiece was crafted hastily after her swift procurement of the necessary materials. Sinuously running her balloon business in Donegal, Ms Proberkaite confessed to have no idea about the end product of her hat-making venture, but she was glad it paired well with her woollen green suit.
Parallelly dressed in green was none other than Veronica McGrath Alborante who first participated in this dress competition four decades ago. Recalling the simplicity of the yesteryears’ process, she expressed her pique at the lengthiness of the current procedures. After spending more than 40 years in Italy, this Irish woman was adorned in a dress she purchased for a wedding she missed, with this competition marking its public debut. Regardless of the outcome she noted, at least it had its first wear.