Valerie Palay

2026 Fashion Judge

With an eye for elegance and an instinct for style, Valerie Palay brings a distinctly European-American sensibility to the Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance, where she is delighted to return as a fashion judge.

Her colorful career has taken her from fashion modeling to entrepreneurship and consulting, from the automobile world as Market Director for DEKRA France to her creative life as a collage artist. Along the way, she has developed an appreciation for the details that make something truly memorable—line, proportion, color, originality, and a touch of panache.

Today, Valerie is an Executive Coach and consultant with Marengo Coaches of Louisiana, working with leaders and professionals to cultivate confidence, clarity, and presence.

For Valerie, great fashion and great automobiles share a certain magic: beautiful lines, impeccable craftsmanship, individual character—and the confidence to turn heads.