No Stress

Stress Free: 1. Sybil Mulcahy; 2. Audrey McGrath and Dyane Connor; 3. Vicki Notaro. (Pix. BME)

A fashionable group visited the Kiehl’s store at 35 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2 as the hip brand (which was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village) unveiled its breakthrough solution to help correct the visible signs of stress on skin.

Those gathered to hear about the reality of stress and the effect it has on your skin included many familiar faces.  Audrey McGrath, Sybil Mulcahy and Dyane Connor were there, shocked to hear the global realities of stress. Norman Pratt joined TV presenter Darren Kennedy in store where they spoke to Avila Lipsett about her new role with trendy club, The Black Door.  Film publicists Nick Costello and Maryse Fitzpatrick swapped favorite movie stories.

Kristina Luykx of Kiehl’s introduced to the group the brand’s Skin Rescuer Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator, explaining how the highly efficient Mannose and Rosa Gallica formula helps address and reduce skin’s visible response to stress, before showing before and after images taken during clinical tests, which showed skin improvement at one week, minimizing the appearance of dehydration, redness, blotchiness and skin fatigue.

In other news, private car app Uber is launching in Dublin.  Using this Uber promo code you will save €20 off your first ride http://www.uber.com/invite/gamgg

Design Loft @ Powerscourt Estate

Design: 1. Triona McCarthy and Aisling O'Loughlin; 2. Emer O'Leary of Me & Emee.  (Pix. AE)

Shopping for beautiful hand-crafts and original Irish design, from jewellery and accessories to home-wares, takes an interesting twist this month with the opening of The Design Loft @ Powerscourt Estate, an exciting new retail concept.

The brainchild of entrepreneur Sinead Buckley Quinn, the spectacular gallery at Powerscourt House, Co. Wicklow, will house a collection from ten different local designers, artists and makers each month in a ‘rotating pop-up shop’.

The store was officially opened by Senator Feargal Quinn, who spoke about his passion for retail and praised the new business venture.  He was presented with a gift of Killiney Arts bone china, created by artists Simon Hoe and Blaithin Quinn, who are among the initial artists ‘in residence’ at The Design Loft.

Among the guests were Aisling O’Loughlin of TV3, with her young son Patrick.  She lives on the grounds of the nearby Kilruddery House and was looking forward to the Groove music festival that was taking place at the historic estate.  Triona McCarthy attended with her mother Margaret, they also didn’t have far to travel as they were enjoying a relaxing break at Druid’s Glen.

Milliner Sarah McGahon was there and is one of the designers stocked.  Sarah Slazenger, whose family own the Powerscourt Estate, welcomed the new addition to the house.  She manages the 1,000 acre estate and is responsible for the ongoing development and growth of the business.

The retail offering at the Design Loft is carefully selected with quality design and originality paramount in the selection process. Designers will also regularly be on hand to meet visitors and discuss their work.

www.designloft.ie

 

CRY Lunch

Pure Style: 1. Angela Scanlon and Brendan Courtney; 2. Lorraine Murray; 3. Joanne Smyth, Roz Quinn and Ger Moran. (Pix. Jason Clarke)

The 5th annual CRY Pure Style fashion lunch played host to the Arnotts Spring / Summer collection show at the Great Room of the Shelbourne Hotel.

Guests were treated to fantastic raffle prizes, which included a Downton Abbey poster and album signed by the entire cast of the popular period drama.  This was donated by Alan Leech who plays Tom Branson, the chauffeur in Downton Abbey.  Alan had been in the same class as Peter Greene in school.  Peter was the son of Marie and Michael Greene, founders of CRY, and he tragically lost his life to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome in 1996.

Guests at the event included Brendan Courtney, Arnotts Chairman Mark Schwartz, RTE sports presenter and CRY patron Jacqui Hurley, Ger Dempsey, stylist Angela Scanlon, Sunway boss Tanya Airey, Arnotts Ladies Fashion Director Deirdre Devaney.

All proceeds of the Pure Style Fashion Lunch will go directly to CRY, an Irish charity set up in 2002 to prevent Cardiac Risk in the Young. CRY aims to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death, provide counselling and support to families affected and to fundraise to give ongoing support to the CRYP Centre in Tallaght Hospital which offers cardiac screening and evaluation for families who have lost a young person or for a young person who may be experiencing symptoms.

Paul Costello for Arnotts

Very PC: 1. Emer O'Reilly Hyland; 2. Helen Sweeney and Paul Costello; 3. Emily O'Donnell and Anne Marie Boyhan. (Pix. KH)

Paul Costelloe launched his Spring Summer 2013 ladies wear collection exclusively at Arnotts with an intimate presentation to 100 invited guests. With 25 pieces in total, the collection is comprises elegant and sophisticated designs with outfits that will take you from a day at the races to lunch with the girls on the French Riviera.

With over 30 years industry experience, Paul has once again used his skills and fashion savvy to create a collection that is both current and timeless. Three models showcased the collection in 17 looks while Paul talked the guests through each of the pieces in the designer showcase presentation.

The launch was themed as an elegant ‘Springtime Garden Party’ with a faux grass catwalk area and white fold out picnic chairs. Guests enjoyed Pimms and prosecco along with a selection of nibbles including tiny tartlets of chicken and pineapple ballotine with dehydrated tomato and guests left with a goody bag including signed bespoke sketched from Paul Costelloe and treats from Estee Lauder.

The Paul Costello Collection for Arnotts promises elegant and timeless classics for the elegant and classic woman.  Simple, stylish and infinitely wearable, the discerning customer will find a Paul Costelloe outfit to suit any occasion.  Prices from €150 – €495.

LKB

Shoe-in: 1. Alva Maguire; 2. Roz Flanagan; 3. Caroline Issa. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

The official launch event for L.K Bennett London by Caroline Issa, with special guest on the evening London style-icon Caroline Issa took place at The Shoe Rooms in Brown Thomas. 

The limited edition L.K. Bennett London by Caroline Issa collection features statement sandals, ankle-strap stilettos, shoe boots, the kitten heel, and a loafer as well as catch-me-if-you can clutches. Hot, neon Thai inspired embroidery puffs out in captivating pinks, oranges, greens, yellows and reds based on a background of natural or black canvas and leather.

Delicate and striking oriental flowers and zig-zags welcome in the Spring season with swing-tag pom-poms showing the way to breezy, easy summer-time glamour. The collection is priced from €295 (shoes) and €335 (bags) and is available exclusively to Brown Thomas Dublin in Ireland.

M&S SS13

Springtime: 1. Melanie Morris and Constance Harris; 2. Aisling O’Loughlin; 3. Ciara O Connell and Declan Leavy. (Pix. KH)

Over 100 of Ireland’s top fashion and lifestyle media were treated to an exclusive preview this week of the M&S Spring Summer 2013 collections, which are now available to purchase in-store and online.

The static press show was hosted in the exquisite Georgian surrounds of Wilson Hartnell offices and showcased the key trends from M&S for the season ahead. Stylist Catherine Condell and Marketing Manager of M&S Ireland Carmel Breheny were on hand to talk to media about the trends, which this
season include Print Fusion, Mono Pop, Modern Luxe and Urban Utility.

Among the fashion fans were stylists Aisling Farinella and Courtney Smith, TV presenter Aisling O’Loughlin (sporting a sparkling smile from Dental Plus Ireland), Edward Smith of Suburbia magazine and writer Anne Boylan, Emily O’Donnell and Sive O’Brien of IMAGE.