Social media influencer and lip sync extraordinaire Kayleigh Trappe will be attending the Galway Races this Friday, 1 August, to find the event's most stylish attendees.
Alongside Head Judge Marietta Doran, Tappe will be seeking stand-out style with sustainability in mind, in the hopes of awarding the Athlone Towncentre 'Friday's Most Stylish' award to a lucky winner.
This year sees the biggest Prize Fund on offer to date for the competition winner with a Shop & Stay Break courtesy of Athlone Towncentre.
The winner will leave Galway Racecourse with a €2,500 Athlone Towncentre Gift Card, a luxury two-night break in the four-star Sheraton Athlone Hotel in a Deluxe Tower Room with dinner and spa treatments, and a €500 voucher for Fields The Jewellers.
Ahead of the big event, we asked Kayleigh what she is looking for in a winner - and what she plans to wear herself.
Are you a long-time fan of the races?
"It's becoming a bit of a trend in my household! As I go more and more, I slowly think I'm becoming a horse expert even though I'm absolutely not. I wouldn't have a clue, to be honest, when it comes to the betting side of things, but I do enjoy getting dolled up.
"I love getting to see the ladies and gents who have put so much time and thought into their outfits. It's lovely to hear the stories - it's great craic."
Do you enjoy getting to dress up for the big day?
"It's beyond me. It makes me appreciate everyone's craft so much. When I talk to the lady who made my headpiece, the trouble and effort that goes into it is crazy. It gives you such an appreciation for people's work."
What are you looking for in a winning look?
"I'm definitely an open book; anything goes, and I absolutely love a bit of creativity. The highlight for 'Friday's Most Sylish' is sustainability and trying to do your best for the environment in some way or another.
"In my eyes, that could be a multitude of things. It could be renting a dress, re-wearing something, re-styled something... I like the idea of somebody putting a bit of time and thought, and creativity into it. That's one thing I'll be looking out for on Friday, for sure.
"Obviously, on the offset, when you look at these outfits, they're stunning, but when you hear the stories behind them, it's great. It's like sitting down with a cup of tea in your granny's."
What will you be wearing on the day?
"I've been up the walls, if I'm totally honest. I did get an outfit, and it was too big! Obviously, I'm trying to bear in mind the theme, so I'm trying not to purchase anything myself. I went and rented a couple of dresses but then there was something wrong with that, too.
"God love him, there's a man called Ed from Limerick and he is getting a smaller size in the outfit I had chosen, and he's delivering it to me today. An absolute gentleman, I can't thank him enough!
"I chose a dress from a woman I follow online called Aoife McNamara. Her business is a B corp brand that makes everything sustainably, and she often talks about the importance of re-wearing outfits and mixing and matching. I love her mantra, so I got on to her and I'm borrowing a dress from her.
"Same with the headpiece, I'm going to a girl called Sinead B Millinery, but I don't want to keep it, I want it to be available for somebody else to have after me. It won't just be a one-hit wonder."
