NI Style Defies February Gloom

Northern Ireland has style - even on a wet, cold February evening - with the Magners Light Style Awards, run annually in partnership with the Ulster Tatler, celebrating the most stylish people and venues across NI.

In defiance of an overcast sky, Northern Ireland's 'beautiful people' packed a full house at Café Vaudeville last night for one of the hottest parties of the year.

The stylistic and image-conscious awards ceremony, hosted by DJ Pete Snodden and the glamorous Gemma Garrett, saw a dozen awards being made which culminated in the accolades for the Most Stylish Male, Martin John, a brand manager and singer from Londonderry and Most Stylish Female going to Julie Weatherup, a personal stylist from Portadown, pictured here with James Simpson, Marketing Manager for Magners Light.

James said: "The Awards acknowledge the most iconic individuals and places across Northern Ireland with a light-hearted glammed up occasion, designed to blow away the winter blues. Rather more seriously, the event recognises Belfast's role as an emerging capital of style and culture."

James thanked all those who voted online and the judges who spent many hours scrutinizing, debating and deliberating through the selection process.

Serving alongside James on the judging panel were Lara Salmon, Woman's Editor, Ulster Tatler; Tracey Hall, Director of Style Academy Model Agency; Pete Snodden, DJ; Michael Quinn, Celebrity Hair Stylist; and Award-Winning Photographer Ciaran O'Neill.

The other winners were: Most Stylish Couple, Jenny Curran & Kyle Anderson; Most Stylish Sports Star, racing driver Adam Carroll, Most Stylish Businessman, Steve Simpson, the owner of the Rio Brazil BT9 shops; Most Stylish Businesswoman (joint winners), Joanne Hayden and Sara O'Neill and the Most Stylish Student was Julie Doherty.

Shopping and leisure was also covered with the Most Stylish Bar award going to Bar 10, Omagh; Most Stylish Club to Coast, Newcastle and the Most Stylish Restaurant accolade to Menu by Kevin Thornton, Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast.

Finally the Most Stylish Fashion Outlet was awarded to Candy Plum, Hillsborough and the Most Stylish Salon award was presented to Pure @54, in Lurgan.

(BMcC/GK)