Down Entrants Seek Top Spots In Magners Style Awards

Ulster Tatler have been announced and a number of gentlemen and ladies from across County Down from different walks of life are in the running. The competition is now open for the public to have their say on which people and venues, across twelve categories, are the most stylish, ahead of the glittering Awards party in Belfast’s Café Vaudeville on Thursday 10th February.  You can see photos of all of the finalists in the people categories online, as well as in the December and January issues of the Ulster Tatler, alongside a list of the venues shortlisted. In the most stylish businesswoman category, 28-year old Kristin Aiken from Kilkeel, a Marketing Manager for Autoline in Newry, said, “Being dressed well is important for my job in marketing where I have to meet clients, attend photocalls and social occasions. I love designer pieces and really enjoy Nicole Richie’s style. She has a variety of looks and mixes classic pieces with her own individual style. She also has a fabulous new jewellery collection, House of Harlow. “Channell handbags are also my favourites, but brand names can be expensive. I adore Top Shop, and in Primark you also can buy a range of items that mix well. Also, I love charity stores where you can find accessories such as belts, shoes and handbags. [caption id="attachment_18726" align="alignleft" width="245" caption="Kristin Aitken, the marketing manager for Autoline Insurance, is in the most stylish businesswoman category. "][/caption] “I have created my own individual feel for style and it’s just fun not being dressed from head to toe in someone else’s fashion,” Kristin added. www.magnerslight.com In the running too for the most stylish sportsperson is 29-year old Kerry Harty from Loughinisland, a full-time athlete, formerly from Newcastle. Kerry said it was “very flattering” to be selected for the contest. “Putting on my glad rags is a great pleasure. I train seven days a week, twice a day, and really enjoy it when I can get on my high heels. It’s just no nice to be recognised. “My celebrity style icon is Louise Rednapp. She is a natural style guru whose looks range from casual and comfortable to chic and classy. Louise always looks stunning on a night out but is never afraid to be photographed just in her jumper and jeans. I hear that Louise is a bit of a shoe-aholic and like me thinks ‘a girl can never have enough shoes’. “I am the Northern Ireland 3000m and 5000 record holder and also run in the 1500m category. My local club is Newcastle AC. Running is a full-time job for me and it takes me across Europe following the competitions. Shortly the indoor  season starts and I’ll be over in Wales for two weeks in a row then it’s off to Vienna for a 3000 metre race. It’s a very competitive sport and I have to fund it myself. I only have a couple of sponsors, X-Bionic who supply compression socks and running gear, Championchip Ireland http://www.championchipireland.com/sponsorship/index.php and MultiSport Podiatry who sponsor my orthotics (sports insoles). “So style is something I really enjoy and where I can let my hair down in between my serious training and competitions when I have to be very focused,” Kerry added. www.magnerslight.com [caption id="attachment_18727" align="alignright" width="202" caption="Kerry Harty, a professional athlete from Loughinisland, is in the running for the best sportswoman award. "][/caption] With her eye on the spot for most stylish female, is Lorna McSloy from Holywood and Tiffany Brien also from Hollywood is definitely in the running for the most stylish sportsperson. Hot on her heels will be the most stylish contestant Johnny Ireland from Bangor in the business section who will be going shoulder to shoulder with Hollywood’s Barry Parke of The Print Lab. Barry Parke added, “There are a lot of very stylish men in the media. I identify with the kind of people who do their own thing. Especially people who can take elements of the current trends rather than dress head to toe in what’s “trendy” even though it doesn’t necessary suit them or their personality. “A celebrity whose style I admire would be fellow lanky bloke George Lamb. I think he has the right mix of on trend fashion but dresses to suit his age and stature. George puts his own twists on current trends, but he is not afraid to be himself and expresses his personality through his hair and iconic trousers and shoes. I like the fact that there is no one else in the media dressing like him and that he is comfortable with that.” The Bank nightclub and restuarant in Newry is also entered in the competition and is looking for the honours. How to Vote & Win Tickets Anyone 18 years or over, can have their say on who will be crowned the most stylish in each of the seven ‘people’ categories by visiting www.magnerslight.com before voting closes on 18th January.  The public’s votes will be added to the judges’ to establish the winners.  Winners of the five venue categories will be determined by the judges but the panel welcomes the public’s opinion, while they’re online.  Alternatively you can send your votes on a postcard to Magners Light Style Awards, c/o Future Image, 26 Church Road, Holywood, Co. Down BT18 9BU. “We’d like to encourage the public to have their say, by offering the first 50 people to vote online, a pair of tickets each, to the glitziest party of the year – the Magners Light Style Awards, taking place on Thursday 10th February in Café Vaudeville.  Remaining voters will still be in with a chance to win tickets, from a further pot of 50 pairs of tickets.” says James Simpson, Magners Marketing Manager, Tennent’s NI Ltd. The call that went out in summer asking for regional entries from right across Northern Ireland, received a terrific response. It was quite a task for the judging panel to whittle it down to just three in each category from which to choose. This year’s judges include Tracey Hall, Director of Style Academy Model Agency; Pete Snodden, DJ; Gemma Garrett, Model & Media Personality; Award-Winning Presseye.com Photographer, Darren Kidd; James Simpson, Magners Marketing Manager; and Nuala Meenehan, Social Correspondent, Ulster Tatler. At the exclusive Awards party in Café Vaudeville in February, the category winners will be announced and each will walk away with a Magners Light Style Awards trophy, as well as the much sought after ‘Most Stylish’ title. As the final is the night of the year to see and be seen at, you will want to ensure your vote is in for the people and places that are setting the style agenda in order to endeavour to win yourself a ticket to the glamorous affair! Log on to www.magnerslight.com and VOTE NOW. Down has style! Give them your vote! ]]>