'I just love fashion!' Waterford woman shines to win big on Day One of Punchestown Festival
Louisa Murphy from Tramore wins Bollinger Best Dressed on Day One of the Punchestown Festival
Louisa Murphy from Tramore, County Waterford has won the opening event of the Bollinger Best Dressed Competition on day 1 of the Punchestown Festival.
Wearing a carefully curated look, judges Jess Colivet and Jennifer Wrynne were not only taken by the stunning look itself but also the level of planning and sheer determination that was involved in curating today’s winning ensemble.
Louisa first saw the headpiece online during coverage of the Melbourne Cup and reached out directly to the lady wearing it via social media. “It took three Instagram direct message attempts before I got a response from her and I begged her to sell it to me and thankfully she did, so my headpiece has come all the way from Australia to be here at Punchestown today” she explained.
Her sea foam green dress with floral detail was purchased from Vinted was teamed with a rental handbag from Luxe Library and her shoes are her “go to gold heels that go with everything”.
Despite John not having any runners at the festival this week, he’s already got a winner on the board on day one in Louisa! The proud Waterford woman has the week off from her hairdressing business for Punchestown.
She has two salons one in Tramore and one in Wexford and she also owns a luxury rental company called Saints Style Society. “I just love fashion and honestly can’t believe it! I’ve been coming here for years and its always been a dream to be in the line-up but to then go on and win it, it really is a dream come true!” she said.
Widely regarded as Ireland’s most prestigious style competition, The Bollinger Best Dressed competition takes place across the first four days of the festival.
Monday's winner, Louisa Murphy has been fast-tracked to the grand finale on Friday when the overall Bollinger Best Dressed Winner for 2026 will receive a ‘money can’t buy’ trip for 2 to the Bollinger Estate.
The overall prize includes flights to Paris, 5* Hotel, Michelin Star dining, private chauffeur, an exclusive Champagne Bollinger experience including 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.