A Blush-ing Win for Zoe!!
Tuesday, May 06, 2014All of us ladies daydream about what it would be like to get married.......from the dashing Groom to the ceremony itself.......but we all know that for us ladies it's all about the dress!!! I've always said that if I were to get married Blush Boutique, situated on the stylish Lisburn Road in Belfast would be my first go to store to seek out that perfect dress, as they always stock totally to die for bridalwear!!!
While I myself may not be getting married anytime soon, I like most girls do love to hear lots of wedding goss and so it was with interest I waited to hear who would be this year's winner of the Face of Blush 2014! This year it was lucky bride-to-be Zoe Nicholson, from Kilkeel in County Down, who fought off fierce competition from all around Ireland to be crowned the Face of Blush 2014.
The gorgeous Zoe, who judges felt best encaptured the essence of the Blush brand, now walks away with an incredible prize to enjoy in the run-up to her big day. The lucky bride-to-be gets to choose the wedding dress of her dreams, along with all her accessories to complete her wedding day look. Her mum also benefits in choosing her perfect Mother of the Bride outfit from the stunning Blush collections.
Primary School Teacher Zoe will also be featured on Blush’s advertising campaign for the next twelve months following a one-on-one photo shoot with renowned fashion photographer Khara Pringle. On the day itself, when she will tie the knot with Mark Hanna, Zoe will benefit from having her hair professionally styled by Lynette Murray from Blue Hairdressing and make-up by award-winning make-up artist Caoimhe Curran. Also provided for this year’s winner is a cosmetic treatment by facial specialist Dr Martina Collins, which will surely add to the experience of Zoe’s fairy-tale wedding.
Speaking about her win she said: “I am totally over the moon. I did not think in a million years I would ever win. It is such a privilege and honour to represent Blush Boutique. The 'Blush' girls have been amazing at advising and helping me choose my dream wedding dress for the most important day in mylife. Winning Face of Blush will make the day even more special for us and I can't thank them enough.”
The judging panel that were faced with the difficult task of choosing from the 18 finalists included Belfast FASHIONWEEK Director Cathy Martin, make-up artist to the stars Paddy McGurgan and celebrated photographer Khara Pringle, but when they heard Zoe’s story that made it all the more easier.
Zoe isn’t only a teacher she’s also a volunteer with a charity called New Beginnings Charitable Trustwhich helps vulnerable and neglected children in Uganda. For the last number of years, Zoe her fiancé Mark and her family have been very involved with this project.
Of her work Zoe said: “We’re very excited that we will be spending a week of our honeymoon at the village in Uganda celebrating this very special day with precious people. Plus, we’re currently making the final preparations to have my family’s sponsor child at the wedding as my bridesmaid. My mum and dad sponsored Namande Christine over 12 years ago. She was just a little girl then and now has grown into the most beautiful young woman who has made us very proud as her sponsors, and our wedding would not be complete without her there.”
Director of Blush, Aileen Wilson said of the winner: “We are absolutely thrilled that Zoe will be the face of our advertising campaign for the next 12 months. She has shown such enthusiasm and a real sense of professionalism in any dealings we have already had with her so I am really excited about working with her this year. A Blush bride can be any woman of any age, so we were delighted to receive entries from both older and younger entrants. Zoe captures the spirit of our store perfectly – she has grace, poise, a sense of fun, kindness and is brimming with love, as every bride should be. We believe that Khara will capture this spirit in her forthcoming shoot.”
Judge Cathy Martin said: “We were really overwhelmed with the standard of entry and the judges had a very tough decision in choosing a winner.
“I cried listening to many of the girls’ stories, but meeting Zoe and listening to her presentation really blew me away with the work she does in Uganda, and including the country and the children that she helps with the charity New Beginnings Charitable Trust in her wedding is such a wonderful thing. Having Namande as her bridesmaid, tipped it over the edge for me. The love and kindness that Zoe has is certainly what we’re looking for in the Face of Blush, plus her natural beauty all adds to this as well.”
The application process kicked off last summer and saw hundreds of hopeful fiancées from all over Ireland vie for the prestigious title for this sought-after store which sees women travel hundreds of miles to view their exclusive collections.
The 18 Finalists from this year's Face of Blush 2014!
I too would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Zoe on her win, and I very much look forward to seeing her as the Face of Blush over the next 12 months!!!! Congratulations Zoe!!!!
