Laois fashionista wins at The Curragh Racecourse wearing dress made from curtains
Portarlington teacher wins Sustainable award in Styled by Nature competition at The Curragh.
Dawn Knight is among four winners of awards presented by fashion broadcaster and stylist Emily O'Donnell, in the competition, sponsored by Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, during Juddmonte Irish Oaks Day at The Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare.
Dawn's self-designed dress was created from repurposed curtain material and paired with shoes from Folkston Shoe Company in Edenderry and a rented headpiece from Harrington Hats in Laois. She won a two-night stay for two at Castlemartyr Resort, including breakfast and dinner.
Art teacher Dawn, a recent finalist in the Irish Miss Universe pageant, along with her twin sister Davinia, described the process of making her dress.
“ When I heard the Styled by Nature theme for the Irish Oaks at @curraghracecourse, I wanted to create something that truly embraced sustainability. I repurposed a pair of old curtains, transforming them into a dress that celebrated nature while giving beautiful fabric a second life. I loved every part of the creative process—from sketching the design to sewing every detail and finally wearing it on the day.
“To then be selected by Emily O’Donnell as one of the Styled by Nature winners was such an incredible surprise and a moment I’ll never forget. A huge thank you to @curraghracecourse for hosting such a fantastic event and to Emily O’Donnell for championing creativity, craftsmanship and sustainable fashion. Congratulations to everyone who took part—it was amazing to see so many beautiful interpretations of the theme. This experience reminded me that with a little imagination, something old can become something truly special,” Dawn said.
Inspired by the lakes, gardens and landscapes surrounding Tulfarris, the competition invited racegoers to interpret nature through fashion, with entries drawing influence from wildflowers, Wicklow sunsets, the Blessington Lakes and the colours and textures of the natural world.
Veronica Walsh from Navan, Co Meath was crowned the overall Styled by Nature winner. She wore a dress by Irish designer Tina Griffin and a headpiece by award-winning milliner Carol Kennelly, impressing Emily O'Donnell with a look celebrating Irish design. Veronica won exclusive private use of the seven-bedroom 18th-century Manor House at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort, including a private dining experience for up to 14 guests. She plans to use the prize to host a pre-wedding celebration ahead of her son's wedding.
The other category winners were Dee Maddock from Straffan, Co Kildare, who claimed the Modern Headpiece Award and Suzanne McGarry from Sligo, who received Emily's Edit.
Dee's floral headpiece, crafted by her sister at Hats by Marie using leftover craft foam, earned the Modern Headpiece Award. Suzanne's sustainable ensemble featured a re-worn Coast dress with shoes from ASOS, a bag by 8th Sign and a rented headpiece from completelook.ie. Both received an overnight stay at Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort with dinner, wine and breakfast.