Well, we are back a while now so we supposed we had better fill you in, so to speak, on recent happenings.
Wednesday 28th August - The seasoned (no, we don’t mean old!) Marbella clique were out in force for the 17th Birthday bash of Pasta Fresca, Dublin’s Chatham Street. Owned and operated by the respected restauranteur Mai Frisby, Pasta Fresca is certainly a popular place judging by the number of guests in attendance.
Despite the rain, the guests included Corrie star and former Boyzoner Keith Duffy, fellow restauranteur Christian ‘Bang’ Stokes, producer Cathy O’Connor, model Julian Pearson and ‘rock chick’ Philomena Lynott, mother of the late Phil (who had the misfortume of having red wine spilt over her lovely linen suit).
The abundance of cocktails on the evening were of the Belini, Cosmopolitan, and Long Island Iced Tea variety with good old Champagne making a welcome appearance also.
Meanwhile over in the Guinness Storehouse, comedian Paddy Kielty was hosting his show, Patrick Kielty Almost Live. His guests included the dishy Rupert Evertt.
Thursday 29th – An early start after a late night….don’t you just hate them! Luckily the Moet was flowing at the unveiling of the Autunm / Winter collection from Magee, the traditional Donegal menswear designers. Although perhaps ‘traditional’ is not a very appropriate word to describe Magee these days. With cord and moleskin suits in a variety of colours from blood red to moss green, they are certainly laying claim to the competitive menswear market.
Among those in attendance were TV’s hottest duo, Caroline Morahan and Pamela Flood, the new faces of fashion programme Off The Rails. Other fashionistas included Fiona Byrne (who is leaving WHO magazine to join the new teen offering, Kiss as Fashion Editor), party girl Etain Boyd, model Andrea Roche and radio journalist Eileen Brophy.
On the boys team (who, we are sure, appreciated the free Magee shirt more than the girls) were TV3’s Alan Hughes, sport commentator Micheal Lister and model Lee Bradshaw.
Leaving together were diarist Jason O’Callaghan and PJ Gibbons of The Examiner. They were later seen having a leisurely coffee outside Bruxelles, Jason, no doubt, discussing plans for his Rat Pack Ball in The Four Seasons on the 21st of September.
Saturday 31st – We dispatched some of our younger team to Punchestown Racecourse for the day. Had it been a corporate day of hospitality we would have attended ourselves, alas it was the massive dance event known as Creamfields. 35,000 people, over 80 acts in 6 areas and the shining sun, ensured a great time was had by all. Among those spotted were international DJ’s Judge Jules, Mario Picotto and Sasha. Irish DJ’s included John Power of 2fm, Ben Carvosso and Johnny Moy. Also among the crowd in the VIP area were ex-MTV babe Emma Ledden and E4 presenter Melanie Hill (ex Big Brother 1 contestant).
Tuesday 3rd - The Wella / Design Centre Fashion Show for Autumn / Winter 2002 is always a much anticipated event. Held in the spectacular surrounds of Dublin’s City Hall, this years show kicked off with a Veurve Cliquot Champagne reception. Enjoying the chilled bubbly were designers Louise Kennedy, Jenny Pacham, Mary Grant and Helen Cody.
At the after party in the fashionable SPY in Powerscourt Townhouse were Richard Liu of Bennetton, funky gal Antonia Campbell – Hughes and Frances Winston of U Magazine.
Also at the show and the after party was It-Boy Gavin Lambe – Murphy. Seated in an area reserved for ‘PRESS’, we wondered: does he really warrant membership of the media group anymore? Having left both The Sunday Times and VIP Magazine, surely he should be made scramble for a seat with the regular invited guests. While we’re at it, is he still an It-Boy? Don’t know the official line, but we think, once an It-boy…. Always one!
Wednesday 4th – All the best parties happen on the same night. You’d think the PR’s would learn not to step on each other’s toes.
First off, we were down to the hip and happening Lobo at the Morrison Hotel for the relaunch of WHO Magazine, which is now called WHO Celebrity. Looking every inch the rival to established UK titles heat and NOW, we wish new Editor Aoife Byrne every success.
Quaffing Champagne and luxuriating over Tia Lusso were PR supremo Tara O’Connor, graphic designer Dylan Owens, newly appointed Social Editor Etain Boyd and the ever-glamorous Jane Devitt.
Meanwhile, on the southside, stylish men gathered in Brown Thomas to hear details of the new campaign, Tackle, cancer action for men, which was organised by The Irish Cancer Society, in association with BT’s.
Some of the handsome men rubbing shoulders included former Taioseach Albert Reynolds, hotelier John McGaughran, and models Alex Fitzgerald and Julian Pearson, who is sporting a floppy new hair-do.
Among those endorsing the campaign are journalist David McWilliams, TV presenter Brendan Courtney and comedian Des Bishop, who gave a hilarious, if slightly risque speech about his experience with cancer (We loved it…Not sure if Kathleen Reynolds did though!).
Attending both of the evenings functions were omni-present socialites Jason O’Callaghan and top choreographer Julian Benson.
Thursday 5th – Ah, time for a little culture. Off to the fancy environs of the National Gallery – the old part. The occasion was that of the Ulster Bank’s generosity, whereby it has loaned a portrait of Daniel O’Connell to the gallery.
In attendance was Minister for Arts and the Gaeltacht John O’Donohue who gave a lengthy but interesting speech on all things Kerry and historical.
