Social Dublin

It was wall to wall glamour at the O’Reilly Hall UCD last week as the fashionista’s of Ireland rubbed shoulders with the crème de la crème of Ireland’s hairdressing industry, at the much anticipated Grand Final of the L’Oreal Colour Trophy Awards. An event not to be missed, every year it just gets better and better and is definitely in my top 5 of the best social events in the country.

Top hair stylists from the most premium salons across Ireland battled it out for the coveted award in three categories: Men’s Image, won by Dylan Bradshaw; Next Generation, won by House of Colour Dublin 2; and of course the L’Oreal Colour Trophy Award won by a triumphant Kazumi! Meanwhile leading woman’s magazine IMAGE added yet another touch of style to the proceedings, awarding just one special salon – Toni & Guy Galway, with the IMAGE award.

The winning team from Kazumi

Guests were treated to a lavish champagne reception and 5-course dinner before sitting back to watch the glamourous event unfold. Among the glitterati present were style queen Pamela Flood, who looked as ravishing as ever with a chic up-style, Gary Kavanagh and Michael Doyle of Peter Mark, party girl Frances Winston and Social & Personal’s Richard Kavanagh and Sandra Bogwell.

Olivia Morahan and Anne Boylan, Leesa Maher and her husband David were also there to enjoy the House of Colour catwalk show before dancing the night away, as were fashion stylist Sonia Mohlich and her partner Alan Bruton of REDS, who had attended the £3 million L’Oreal 50^th Anniversary bash in London the week before.

This year’s winners have fought long and hard to achieve this accolade, succeeding first in the Eliminator and now in the Grand Final. With judges such as acclaimed hairdressing greats Shay Dempsey, Zoe Irwin, Maeve O’Healy - Harte and Ian Brady, their win really is an amazing acheivement, meaning that their talents as hair stylists have been noted by the most discerning and accomplished people in hairdressing.

The sky is now the limit for the winners – as the L’Oreal Colour Trophy and Men’s Image trophy holders get set to take part in 2 cutting edge photoshoots – one in Dublin and one in New York! Meanwhile the young up-and-coming winner of the Next Generation is preparing for a significant year in their career – with esteemed L’Oreal Professionnel training and great PR opportunities.

The official after show party was hosted in stylish club Lillies Bordello, with many of the guests continuing the celebrations well into the morning. I believe it was nigh on impossible to get a hair appointment in Dublin today.