An electrical engineer sparked up the right connection with fashion judges at the Punchestown Racing Festival as she was crowned Bollinger’s Best Dressed on Wednesday.
Olivia Clayton was shocked after being crowned the second finalist at the Kildare racing venue, joining Tuesday’s winner to be in the running for an amazing prize.
Paying homage to Ireland, the Worcester-based electrical engineer impressed judges in a green Lisou silk suit, with her hat made from ‘a bit of hot glue and a prayer’.
Olivia told EVOKE: ‘We live about a stone’s throw away from Cheltenham races and I have some friends who work with The Jockey Club.
‘My husband’s a big fan of racing, so for his 30th birthday last week, I gave him this as a present, because he’s been desperate to come to Dublin. I will say he looks stunning over there in a pinstripe suit.’
Speaking about being fast-tracked to Friday’s final, she said: ‘I’m really overwhelmed. The women and the men are absolutely stunning here in Ireland. They really know how to show up.’
‘My shoes are my Pradas. These are my babies and surprisingly comfortable, if anybody would believe me, and this tie was from my husband that I stole from him last week.’
The couple, who are about to celebrate their first anniversary, were meant to be flying home on Thursday, but will have to change their plans to come back to Punchestown on Friday for the grand finale of the Punchestown Best Dressed final.
The overall Bollinger Best Dressed Winner will receive a ‘money can’t buy’ trip for two to the Bollinger Estate, with the prize including flights to Paris, 5* Hotel, Michelin Star dining, and a private chauffeur.
They will also receive an exclusive Champagne Bollinger experience, including a private tour of the cellars, vineyards, gardens, house, and overnight stay in the beautiful capital of the Champagne region Reims, plus a year’s supply of Bollinger.
‘I work in electrical engineering, if you believe it. I fix cars. That’s why I think I like getting dressed up so much, I might be able to work it out,’ Olivia said as her win sunk in on Wednesday.
She said she might be ‘lucky’ that her boss lets her have the day off on Friday.
Olivia, so far, joins Louisa Murphy in the Bollinger grand finale. On Thursday, another person will be crowned Best Dressed finalist.
See more photos below:
PICS: Stylish ladies have fun with their fashion at Punchestown day two
