Rumours of my demise are greatly exaggerated; I just took a brief respite over the holidays. A quick trawl through my 2006 appointment diary revealed that I attended 278 events last year (I deserved that rest)! That’s a lot of canapés, wine, champagne and goodie bags. And even more hangovers (I drink responsibly though and always take a couple of LifeLine Hangover Defence capsules pre party).
As always, the social scene is slow to kick off in the New Year. People are still away, nursing those headaches and making promises that will be broken come February. Slow though it may have been, it’s back. Champagne flutes are being polished, guest lists updated and plans are afoot for what is set to be a great year.
One of my first engagements this year was the opening night of Michael Smyth’s exhibition at the Gormley Fine Art on South Fredrick Street. The Belfast born artist has had a busy few years taking on commissions and fans alike. Joanna Lumley loves his work.
The exhibition, entitled ‘Still Changing’, featured paintings and sculpture (with the central theme being the female form and fauna) and built on Smyth’s earlier solo show in Belfast. Among the guests enjoying the hospitality of gallery owner Oliver Gormley were Darren Kennedy and Loraine Brett, Roisin Ni Mhordha (who has just set up her own PR consultancy, Impression) and fashion journalist Bairbre Power, who was jetting off to Paris the next day.
The first fashion show of 2007 also took place recently. Eponymous design Yana K is now available in Ireland, thanks to the keen eye of Kate Scully Owens, whose agency will distribute the gear. Celebrity admirers include Paris Hilton, Lisa Marie Presley, Megan Good and Nicole Richie.
Floridita, one of the hottest new bars on the Dublin circuit, was the location for the show which attracted many of this town’s fashionistas. Among them were TV presenter Pamela Flood, Nadine Wai – O’Flynn, Brendan Rogers, Emily O’Donnell, Richard Kavanagh and Sandra Bothwell, model Gail Kaneswaren and DJ Hugh Scully.
Speaking of fashion, supermodel Yasmin Le Bon was in town recently in her capacity as an ambassador for luxury lifestyle brand Newbridge Silverware. They hosted a champagne reception at the recent Showcase Ireland fair in the RDS to celebrate their latest additions to the ever popular range. A new dedicated men’s line called ‘Style for Men’ is sure to be a big hit.
William and Oonagh Doyle of Newbridge Silverware played host to the large number of guests who included Mary Irwin of TV3, Triona McCarthy, designer Rachel Mackey and rugby star Ronan O’Gara. Oh, and about 20 members of the paparazzi.
