Designer fashion store Lara, on Dublin's Dame Lane, has long been a favourite haunt of style conscious girls. The trendy boutique has now doubled in size and last week, owner Lara Casey, hosted a party to celebrate the expansion. Traditional top-end labels such as Versace and Gucci have now been joined on the rails by the exclusive Allen B (only sold in Harvey Nics and Harrods in London) and Victoria Beckham's jeans brand, Rock & Republic, among others.
Also new to Lara is the menswear selection, a welcome addition for the man-about-town. Great brands such as Criminal Clothing, Matinique, Mish Mash and David Bitton will do wonders for any boy's wardrobe. Key materials for winter 2005 include mohair, wool, voile and leather. Lara has it all wrapped up.
A gaggle of girls, including Pamela Flood, Kate Conkey and Tamara Gervasoni, eagerly eyed up the latest additions. Of particular interest is the special occasion-wear from labels such as Ottitude, Andy Warhol, Irish designer Dee Collier and Insolente Paris. Ideal for any girl attending next weekend's Wilde October Ball, which takes place in the Berkley Court Hotel on Saturday the 22nd, in aid of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (tickets from 01-6614911 or rcc@indigo.ie).
Also in attendance on the evening were Shirley Beere, Julian Fallon, Robbie Kane and model Peter Loyd. Lara Casey certainly knows how to stop traffic - as the evening progressed guests spilled out onto Dame Lane and enjoyed the party al fresco.
