TRENDS OF THE EARTH

MODEL Holly Carpenter said she had no qualms about swapping the sunny French Riviera for the swampy fields of Screggan to crown the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady yesterday at the Ploughing Championships.

- BY DANNY DE VAAL in Screggan in Co Offaly

The former Miss Ireland handpicked the winner from the throngs who attended just days after jetting back from France, where she celebrated tying the knot with partner Jamie Hunt earlier this month.

Holly certainly turned heads during her reconnaissance mission while narrowing down a shortlist of fashion conscious women.

Speaking to this paper yesterday, she said: "There's a bit of style around, so I'm having fun just walking around and checking it out.

"It's actually gorgeous now that we're having a bit of sun and there are a few mucky wellies going around - but, sure, it's the Ploughing.

"We're looking for somebody who is comfortable and wearing something practical but has their own stamp on it as well.

"I'm looking forward to chatting to a few of the ladies and seeing what the style is like."

Holly, who also represented Ireland in the Miss World pageant, revealed walking down the aisle in the south of France was slightly different to trudging through the mud in an Offaly field but said she was having a great time.

DIFFERENT

She explained: "I'm just back from France, I got married over in the southwest of France and had an absolute ball.

"I think after a year of planning the wedding, to finally get to it and let our hair down and enjoy it and spend time with family, it was absolutely amazing.

"So I came straight from the French Riviera to the Ploughing, which is a slightly different vibe but still absolutely gorgeous."

She continued: "I never went to the Ploughing as a kid, and now I feel like I've really lost out. It's such a huge family event. People have been coming here with their entire family for years and years.