FRESH FROM London where she's been dressing her clients for Ascot, with milliner Philip Treacy, designer Louise Kennedy yesterday displayed in her Dublin headquarters some fashion suggestions for the Irish racing season and summer weddings.
Sartorially speaking, the two are interchangeable, she argues, claiming that a coat and dress, her signature ensemble and a staple of all her collections, is the ideal combination for both. "At the end of the day it's all about fun and dressing up - but please, avoid evening wear, lingerie lace and anything too tight", she counsels.
Though not a regular race-goer - and it's years since she's been at a meeting in Kilbeggan or in her home town of Thurles, what with the Irish Derby later this month, the Galway Races in July, the Goff Millions in September and a host of other style-demanding dates in between - she's been flat out on the racing as well as the bridal circuit.
Dress codes for Ascot are notoriously strict, she says; no bare shoulders, no spaghetti straps, no bare midriffs and no bare legs. The sort of details sported by many enthusiastic Irish racing regulars and best-dressed hopefuls are prohibited in the royal enclosure.
The Kennedy advice for any racetrack or wedding would be a ladylike embroidered silk coat with matching dress or a floral silk suit and black hat. Colours can be bold or subdued, but "grooming is as important as the outfit", with accessories a clutch as opposed to a shoulder bag.
The look is classy if conventional, but at prices starting from €500 for a skirt, to €3,300 for an embroidered dress, many smartening up for the racing season might need to back a winner beforehand.
