Rasher art

Casher: 1. Eoin Higgins & Lauren Hisada; 2. Lottie Ryan; 3. Rasher with Bernard Dunne & his wife Pamela. (Pix. Sharpix)

Artist Rasher, aka Mark Kavanagh, hosted the opening of his latest exhibition, Womb to the Tomb, recently and a host of well known faces came out to lend their support despite the cold, wintery weather. His art isn’t for everyone and the main piece is certainly an acquired taste, if not slightly offensive (though that didn’t stop Bill Cullen from buying a few of the prints).

Chic Geeks

Festive: 1. Ciara Egan ; 2. Elaine Butler-Doolin & Karen Higgins; 3. Tara Doyle (Pix. Anthony Woods)

Geek Chic: 1. Aisling O'Sullivan & Enda Brogan; 2. Aoibhinn O’Suilleabhain; 3. Caroline Chauvire & Andrew Boland. (Pix. Anthony Woods)

To Ely Place where Carphone Warehouse hosted the first Christmas party of the season. It was a case of gadgets galore (and more) on the evening with the latest tech on show, including phones, netbooks and tablets (the Samsung Galaxy was a particular favourite).

I think it’s cute that the Carphone Warehouse never rebranded over the years. Of course we’ve moved on from the car phone, and they don’t exactly sell out of a warehouse. In fact the next chapter in the brands history is the launch of the first Carphone Warehouse Connected World Store in Dundrum Town Centre. The ambition behind the new venture is to translate the benefits of technology and how it can transform people’s lives.

It will also feature three Geek Squad Agents who will use their passion for technology to help customers to get the most from theirs. With the arrival of The Geek Squad people can put their chosen device’s manual to one side and let the geeks show them how to use it, from optimising computers and backing up data, to support with MP3 players.

They’ll also explain what they’re doing (if people want to know for next time), and whilst they’re serious about technology they don’t take themselves too seriously.

Check In

eLookers: 1. Marie McGrath & Aoife Smith ; 2. Noel Lonergan & Sinead Coll; 3. Lauren & Athena Kelly (Pix. Marc O’Sullivan)

Online travel agent ebookers.ie announced the winner of its Hotel Inspector competition at an industry event in Dublin’s Dylan hotel last week. Athena Kelly beat off tough competition to win the accolade and was judged by industry professionals including Stephen Rice of ebookers and Joan Scales of the Irish Times. Dubbed the “best job in Ireland”, Athena will get to travel around the country and stay in various destinations, all chosen by the public, reviewing hotels as she goes.

Along with this paid vacation Athena also received a state of the art laptop and a digital camera to help her record the exciting adventure. Athena sets off on her tour of Ireland today for two weeks and the public can follow her travels around the country via http://www.ebookers.ie/, which will be updated regularly with hotel reviews and pictures.

On the subject of hotels and awards, congratulations are due to The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt which was the only hotel to win two awards at the recent Condé Nast Johansens 2011 Annual Awards for Excellence. The hotel received the Best Venue and Hotel that accommodate groups of over 100 and the Most Excellent MICE Award for 2011 (meetings, incentives, conference, events).

The glamorous event at The Mayfair Hotel in London was attended by some of the most luxurious and reputable hotels in the world with general manager of the Ritz-Carlton Max Zanardi on hand to collect his two accolades.

INGENUE

Genius: 1. Mena Ryan & Maura Derrane; 2. Maria Fusco; 3. Nadine Wai - O ' Flynn & Tina Choy. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

INGENUE Boutique opened for the first time on Wednesday night in the Westbury Mall to an excited group of stylish ladies who came out en force to support and welcome this new addition to the Dublin fashion scene.

Mena, Josette and Mary-Kate Ryan (of Chica Boutique) welcomed guests as the DJ’s got the revellers into a party mood. Ladies sipped West Coast Cooler and browsed the rails of the gorgeous new collections that arrived especially for the launch night.

Those who were spotted were RTE’s Maura Derrane, Nadine Wai O’Flynn, Norman Pratt, Joan Palmer and her pal Roz Flanagan, Helen and Sophie Appleby as well as Nicky Harris and Maria Fusco who looked fierce in vintage Escada glasses.

INGENUE, in spite of being a relative newcomer, has already a celebrity following including Helen Mirren, Geri Halliwell, GMTV’s Kate Garraway and Karen Koster. Fashion fact: Amy Huberman chose INGENUE’s Gulu dress for her wedding rehearsal this summer.

Due Date

Date night:: 1. Sonja Mohlich & Romy Carroll; 2. Sean Munsanje; 3. Karen & Emma McEvoy. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Just when we thought we’d had enough of the slap stick comedy of the American Pie type movies along came The Hangover, which was a box office hit all over the world last year. Well director Todd Philips has hit another home run with Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jnr and Zach Galifianakis (and a few other good cameos). The Irish premiere of the movie took place at Cineworld recently and judging from the audience reaction it’ll be big.

Thomas Sabo at HoF

Romantics: 1. Caroline Hochstrat & Vogue Williams; 2. Sandra Bothwell & Declan Leavy; 3. Sarah Ruxton & Emma Ruxton. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

THOMAS SABO hosted a “Romance” themed party to celebrate its new counter and the presentation of the first ever Thomas Sabo fragrance, Charm Rose, at House of Fraser, Dundrum Town Centre.

Invited guests were privy to an evening of entertainment, music, and magic with a splash of Romance. Special features on the night included three live models styled as icons Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot, a expansive black carpet, a 4ft high Eiffel Tower ice-sculpture, and a beautiful gazebo adorned in the signature THOMAS SABO black and white stripes.

The fabulous jazz and blues singer Sharon Crosbie charmed the crowd, creating an atmosphere of glamour and romance with her rendition of all time classics, “La vie en Rose” and “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”. Some of the well known faces were Holly White, Andrea Roche, Nadia Forde and Vogue Williams.

New Look

Look Here: 1. Kimberley Walsh; 2, Rugby player Mark Siddons & Michelle McGrath; 3. Sandy Carroll. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

What’s New?: 1. Sinead Mitchell & Jodie Wood; 2. SJ Wai; 3. Colin Corrigan & Brendan Courtney. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Dublin’s finest were out in full force to celebrate the launch of the New Look’s Dublin store at the Jervis SC, which is also the brands biggest global store. The world of fashion, radio and television came together for the exclusive VIP shopping event where Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh was joined by Ireland’s most stylish, including designer Leigh Tucker, Lorraine Keane, Brendan Courtney, Debbie O’Donnell and stylist Angela Scanlon.

Guests were welcomed with a Champagne and cocktail reception and treated to a fashion show which previewed the key pieces from the New Look AW 10 collection. Peter Mark, The LA Make UP Academy and O.P.I were on hand to pamper guests whilst PlayStation got everyone in the swing of things with their PlayStation Move Units all to the background music of Francesca Nyze who kept the crowd entertained.

RCSI Race Against Breast Cancer

Racing Ahead: 1. Aisling O’Loughlin & Jaqueline Carter; 2. Virginia Macari & Darren Kennedy; 3. Emily O’Donnell & Maris Mackle. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Horse racing enthusiasts together with a host of well known Irish personalities came together for Breast Cancer Ireland’s annual “RCSI Race Against Breast Cancer Day” at Leopardstown.

The fashion stakes were high with a number of glamorous ladies adding a fun and funky Halloween twist to their look. Once again this year, style Judges Louis Copeland of Louis Copeland Tailors and Kate Gleeson of Diffusion Boutique had the difficult task of selecting the Best Dressed titles. However, it was Barbara O'Reilly Hyland from Wicklow that was named best dressed lady and Greg Moore who won the title of best dressed man.

Spotted enjoying a flutter were model Pippa O’ Connor and her fiancé Brian Ormond and actress and designer Virginia Macari who wore a chic witches hat that she made herself. Other well known guests included model Sarah McGovern, stylist Darren Kennedy (who was in town on a flying visit from his new base of London), TV3 beauties Colette Fitzpatrick and Sybil Mulcahy, Marisa Mackle and Mary Kennedy who was the ever elegant MC for the day.

The event, now in its 5th year, raised over €150,000 which will go towards funding vital breast cancer research aiding speedier discoveries and ultimately more effective treatments of those diagnosed.

Jackass 3D

Craaazy: 1. Aoibhinn Garrihy; 2. Jennifer Maguire & Weeman, aka Jason Acuna; 3. Johnny Knoxville. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Is Jackass a one trick pony or sheer genius? I would have thought the former but then I read that the latest movie in the series, Jackass 3D, has just grossed over $50m at the box office on its opening weekend. Fair play to the boys who made it big on the back of just messing around.

The movie made it Irish premiere at Cineworld and in keeping with the madcap theme the stars of the movie dressed up in appropriate garb; Johnny Knoxville as a pirate, Weeman as a Leprechaun etc. With an exclusive after party at the Sycamore members club, Jackass and the crew had a great few days in Dublin.

Xpose Xmas Xperience

XXX: 1. Sarah Stephens & Una Gibney; 2. Lisa Cannon, Karen Koster & Aisling O Loughlin; 3. Stephanie Wynne & Jamie Archer. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

The Xposé team invites their viewers to toast the arrival of the festive season in style at the Xposé Xmas Xperience in association with West Coast Cooler: a three-day event at Dublin’s RDS from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st November 2010.

Jetting into Dublin especially for the show are 2010 X Factor finalists F.Y.D along with Jamie Archer, AKA Jamie Afro, one of the leading performers from X Factor 2009. F.Y.D. will give a special live performance at Friday’s opening night, while Jamie will have the RDS rocking for Christmas with two exclusive performances on Saturday, 20th November.

Showcasing everything from the world of fashion and beauty Xposé Xmas Xperience will provide inspiration in the lead up to the Christmas party season in the form of spectacular catwalk fashion shows, make- up masterclasses with Ireland’s leading make-up artists and the best in yuletide beauty booty.

The event will also showcase a treasure trove of fashion finds, from big brands to boutique labels, with opportunities to meet designers and get the inside track on everything for key Christmas looks and future style trends. There’ll also be a dedicated Christmas Zone that has the season all wrapped up with plenty of shopping, great gift ideas and party fun.

Xposé Xmas Xperience in association with West Coast Cooler will take place in Dublin’s RDS on Friday, November 19th from 3pm – 9.30pm; Saturday November 20th and Sunday, November 21st from 10.30am to 6pm. Ticket prices are €20. For further information on the show and how to purchase tickets, log on to http://www.xposexmasxperience.ie/ .

Halloween at Krystle

Horrors: 1. Emily Mc Keogh & Jodie Wood; 2. Nicola Barron & Andy Quirke; 3. Hayley Ryan & Karena Graham. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Scary: 1. Donal McSharry & Jennifer Buckley; 2. Dana Arikane; 3. Lucia Scerbikova & Stanislava Vargova. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Krystle hosted its big Halloween party on Sunday night and as always the regular patrons dressed to impress with a huge range of weird and wonderful outfits on show. Model Karena Graham, stylist Sonja Mohlich and rugby player Leo Cullen were among the crowd on the night.

The popular spot continues to attract big crowds (and celebs) and this week was awarded the accolade of Best Overall Nightclub in Ireland at the Hospitality Awards. This is the third year that Krystle has scooped the top prize – an impressive feat since it’s only been open 4 years!

We Are Where We Are

Here They Are: 1. Michael Hayes & Ailbhe Lee; 2. Katherine Drohan & Caroline Murphy; 3. Ryan Tubridy & Paddy Cullivan; 4. Katherine Mason & Tara Farrell. (Pix. Malachy Geelan)


The country needs a good dose of humour at a time like this and no better man than Paddy Cullivan to administer it. Paddy is a musician (Camembert Quartet), satirist (Leviathan) and The Late Late Show house band leader (though I kinda wish he was our leader too) and ‘We Are Where We Are’ is his new EP.

Officially launched by the title track’s co-author Ryan Tubridy (is there anything this man won’t try his hand at?), the event at The Mercantile attracted a large number of people from the world of music and showbiz. Despite the fact that Paddy had spent the morning distributing copies of the CD to TD’s arriving at the Dail for Leaders Question Time there weren’t many politicians in attendance.

The five-track EP available to purchase online via http://www.paddycullivan.com/ for just €4.95, is described by Paddy as “brilliant protest songs for these hard times, based on the cliché-ridden drivel spouted by unrepentant financiers, incompetent politicians and a lazy media. Musically brilliant, lyrically razor-sharp and intentionally hilarious - though at times poignant.”

Tommy Hilfiger ICONS

Icons: 1. Mick Polley & Elsa Jones; 2. Conchi Verdasa & Vanessa Kilbride; 3. Norman Pratt & Roisin Tierney- Crowe. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

All the great fashion parties are happening at Arnotts department store lately so it was with a spring in our step that we went along to the launch of the Tommy Hilfiger Icon collection. The new Icon range marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic American brand and is signified by distinctive Kelly green coloured branding.

The event was well attended with guests including TV3’s Anna Daly, looking stylish as ever in a beautiful navy Tommy Hilfiger Runway dress from the Autumn collection, Jayne O’Keeffe of Arnotts, Norman Pratt and his pal Roisin Tierney-Crowe, who takes up her new post as head of PR for L’Oreal Luxury Products this week.

Guests were treated to American style canapés of mini-burgers, baby corndogs and mini Oreo cookie milkshakes, all from Relish Cuisine. Carl Shaaban and Chloe Loughnane modelled key pieces from the Icon collection throughout the evening, highlighting the classic inspiration by well known icons from the last 25 years including Grace Kelly, James Dean and Farrah Fawcet.

In Essence

Glam slam: 1. Pamela Ryan & Hira Shah; 2. Elaine Roddy, Rosanna Davison & Emma Smith; 3. Mary Murray-Burke & Dervla Burke. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

A surprisingly large group of well known girls turned out on a Tuesday evening for the Essence make-up and beauty party at the Grafton Lounge. The brand launched its gorgeous winter colour collection and winter trend editions, so perhaps it’s not that surprising that girls love make-up after all.

Joining in the beauty crew was Rosanna Davidson who looked effortlessly chic in her new winter LBD; mother and daughter duo Mary and Dervla Burke from Crystal Swing were minus Derek for a night (apparently he’s not really into make-up) while Elaine Crowley, Zoe Wong and Hira Shah were all enjoying a girls night out.

Essence was also delighted to have current Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu in attendance. Gorgeous Claire has a busy year ahead of her with work, charity commitments (she just launched the Christmas card campaign for the Cystic Fibrosis association) and international travel assignments to countries such as the U.S. and India.