Tea with a Twist: 1. Grace Fox and Rebecca Lawless; 2. Models in Charloee & Jane, Karen Fitzpatrick, Nicki Bonass & Blaithnaid McKenna; 3. Clementine Mercedes and Kate Lawlor.
(Pix. Brian McEvoy)
To the Merrion Hotel for an afternoon tea party with a twist, hosted by Cork Dry Gin. Any excuse to hang out at President Obama’s Irish hotel of choice but when it involves cakes, cocktails and a fashion showcase by design duo Charlotte & Jane, I’m there.
Guests were treated to classic G&Ts and a new elderflower cocktail, the Lee Lemonade, specially created for the event by Cork Dry Gin’s mixologist and served up in exquisite, mismatched vintage china which was sourced by event stylists Pearl & Godiva.
Those counting the carbs can skip to the next paragraph … Dainty savouries included roast beef sandwiches, cucumber, chive and cream cheese on tomato bread, bridge rolls with egg mayonnaise and cress and chicken with pesto on sunflower bread. A five tier Victorian Lemon Cake formed a centrepiece in the room, surrounded by vintage china and crystal tiered cake stands piled high with sweet treats including Coconut and Blueberry Macaroons, Rosewater and Orange Mousse White Chocolate Feuilletines and Raspberry and Passionfruit Tartlets. Devine.
The aforementioned Charlotte & Jane were specially commissioned to create a cocktail dress for the event inspired by Cork Dry Gin’s iconic square bottle. This fitted, backless, vibrant red silk creation with crystals and gold studding took the designers 7 hours, working in tandem, to embellish. The fashion showcase featured the labels new silks and hats with vintage sounds in string provided by quartet Stringology.
In attendance were Emma Donnellan and Stephanie Wynne from Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, designers Charlotte Cargin and Jane Skovgaard of Charlotte & Jane, author Marisa Mackle, stylist Maria Fusco, Avila Lipsett and FM104’s Sean Munsanje.
