Nokia Young Fashion Designer 2010

At the NYFDA: 1. Niamh Heaney, Elaine Sheridan & Aoife Byrne; 2. Laura Whiston & Ryan Greenwood; 3. Emmy Slattery (winner) and Averil Blakely. (Pix. Robbie Reynolds)

The country’s hottest trend setters and fashion followers gathered this week for the finale of the Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award 2010. The event took place in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre where guests enjoyed a Rosemount Wine reception in the Pygmalion Café before heading up to the first floor exhibition to check out the 20 finalist’s designs.

Emmy Slattery from NCAD was thrilled to be announced as the overall winner of the 2010 Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award and the two runners up, Niamh Rafferty from the Grafton Academy and Matthew Karp from Limerick Senior College, were equally thrilled.

NYFDA judge Yvan Rodic, from influential fashion blog Facehunter, was seen snapping pictures of the most stylish people in attendance. Other guests in attendance included the judging panel, which consisted of leading figures in Irish and international fashion - Marc O’Neill, designer of the Autograph collection at M&S, senior designer at ASOS Debbie Walker, Amanda Pratt of Avoca and award winning Irish designer Aideen Bodkin.

This year’s student mentor, Joanne Hynes was also there, along with Sonia Reynolds and Irish designer Peter O’Brien. Previous NYFDA runner-up Simone Rocha was keen to see the creations on exhibit, as was stylist Aisling Farinella and last year’s NYFDA judge and designer Eilis Boyle. DJ and actress Hilary Rose provided funky house tunes and kept the party (and celebrations) going.

Coco

At Coco: 1. Conor Hyland & Nikki Lavelle; 2. Emma & Ciara McGahern; 3. Karen McGoldrick & Lisa Marie Dupreez. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Since opening its doors on Clarendon Street in November of last year Coco Boutique is fast becoming a well known destination in Dublin for the boutique shopper looking for great occasional wear.

There was pink in the air recently when Dublin fashion followers gathered at the shop for the hot pink themed launch evening.

From the entrance carpet to the champagne and custom made cup-cakes, pink took centre stage as Coco Boutique showcased its exciting spring summer collection of exclusive designers including its much anticipated range of hand-painted dresses.

Beauty is skin deep

Euro Products party: 1. Suzie and Katie Corkery; 2. Emer McDonnell and Holly White; 3. Jenni Murphy and David Gilna. (Pix. Conor Healy)

At the Morgan Hotel, the young, the beautiful and the (fake) tanned flocked to the hip penthouse suite for a showcase of Euro Products premium beauty brands.

The event showcased the popular ‘He-Shi’ latest spring summer tanning, as well as introducing two new brands, the stunning cosmetic products and professional artist brushes from Karaja and cult nail varnish collection Toma.

In attendance at the Morgan were stylist Cathy O’Connor, Colette Fitzpatrick, Darren Kennedy and actress Holly White. UK Apprentice runner up Jennifer Maguire and models Ruth O’Neill, Laura Toogood and Georgia Salpa enjoyed the many beauty secrets shared during the evening.

Leaders in the field of beauty, skin care and tanning products, Euro Products supplies to trade outlets including leading beauty salons, day spas, hairdressers and department stores throughout Ireland.

Liz Hurley hits Kildare Village

At Kildare Village: 1. Liz Hurley; 2. Glenda Gilson; 3. Nicola Formby. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

St. Tropez beachside glamour arrived in the picturesque Kildare countryside with the launch of Elizabeth Hurley’s first guest beachwear boutique in Ireland.

The glamour puss herself celebrated the opening of her Elizabeth Hurley Beach Boutique at Kildare Village with a ribbon cutting ceremony and was on hand to help customers choose their perfect beachwear wardrobe.

To commemorate the launch, Liz donated 100% of sales of a special Pink Bikini to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation & Professor John Crown’s Cancer Clinical Research Trust in Ireland. Among the guests joining Prof. Crown were Glenda Gilson, model Roz Lipsett, editor of UK Tatler (and Mrs. AA Gill) Nicola Formby, Maria McGovern and Brendan and Karen Morrissey.

The boutique, which will be a central feature among the fashion stores that line the open air promenade of the Village, also exclusively stocks Cutler & Gross sunglasses and Philip Treacy hats and will be open throughout the summer.

Back for the Craic

Back for the Craic: 1. Abbey Smith and Moet McLean; 2.Paul Sweeney and Avril Nolan; 3. Olaf O'Moore and Tanya Mason. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Rock band Ash (remember them?) rocked a late Paddy's Day Party hosted by 7UpFree. The party welcomed home a group of friends who won a competition and were flown home for the annual celebrations, courtesy of 7Up. The competition gave one lucky Irish person the chance to win the ultimate reunion for 7 friends.

These 7 people were flown "Back for the Craic" from all over the world just in time for Paddy's Day and the motley crew comprising Conor, Gary, West, The Hoff, Gra, Timbags and Crunch were in Dublin on Saturday for their own slightly delayed Paddy's Day Party.

John Fitzpatrick's New York

Enjoying John Fitzpatrick’s NYNY party: 1. Virginia Macari & Maria Fusco; 2. John Fitzpatrick & Kathryn Thomas; 3. Lorraine Keane & Rosanna Davison. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Fitzpatrick Hotels USA hosted its annual New York, New York evening in the exclusive members club Residence last week. This event always attracts a number of high profile guests and invites are much sought after.

John Fitzpatrick, CEO of Fitzpatrick Hotels in the US flew in from New York to toast the shamrock (well it was St. Patrick’s week) with friends and colleagues while also highlighting the many and varied undiscovered delights that only New York has to offer.

Guests on the night included regular US Fitzpatrick visitors Ryan Tubridy, Chris and Diane De Burgh together with their daughter Rosanna Davison. RTE’s Kathryn Thomas enjoyed a Manhattan or two as she planned her next trip stateside. John’s sister Eithne Fitzpatrick looked as glam as ever as she chatted with Lorraine Keane and Peter Devlin.

Other guests spotted toasting the shamrock New York style included TV3’s Colette Fitzpatrick, Laura Toogood, Darren Kennedy, Roisin Tierney–Crowe, Sinead Desmond, Maria Fusco and Virginia Macari.

Shutter Island gala screening

Out to see Shutter Island: 1. Romy Carroll & Breffni Morgan; 2. Nicola McCarthy & George McMahon; 3. Hayley Rock & Deirdre Cooney. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Irish gala screening of Shutter Island took place at Cineworld recently and the packed theatre proved the high level of anticipation for the new Leonardo Di Caprio film.

Directed by legendary movie man Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is a suspense thriller that will hold your attention with plot twists until the end.

Among the guests on the red carpet were Pippa O’Connor and Brian Ormonde, Morah Ryan and her daughters Lottie and Bonnie, actors George McMahon and Dave Duffy and FM104 presenter Cillian O’Sullivan.

Heroes for Haiti

Heroes for Haiti: 1. Avila Lipsett, Brian Niland & Emily O’Donnell; 2. Dani Farrell & Graham White; 3, Bryan Healy & Ila Piddiu. (Pix. Richie Stokes)


Heroes for Haiti, a fancy dress ball with a difference, took place recently in aid of UNICEF Ireland’s Emergency Appeal for the children of Haiti. The event attracted a big crowd who went all out dressed as their interpretation of the word ‘hero’.

The Heroes for Haiti Ball was hosted at the Thomas Prior Hall at Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge and guests enjoyed a champagne and cocktail reception, a feast fit for a king and entertainment from Una Gibney with her Abba Revival show.

The emphasis on the night was certainly ‘fun’ and the ‘heroes’ theme saw the venue transformed in to a superhero heaven by John Hanley of the award-winning Hanley Events.

Organised by Declan Leavy and Sandra Bothwell, together with Sarah Power and Gillian Foley, raised much needed funds for a great cause.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Enjoying the Jameson party: 1. Arnaud Malinconi; 2. Eli Caldwell & Wayne Lawlor; 3. DJ Sinead Ni Mhordha and John Carroll. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

The Old Jameson Distillery in Smithfield was the place to be at the weekend as the exclusive invitation only Jameson Global Party kicked off the world wide Jameson St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

With live performances from Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, Director and Dublin band Doris, with DJ Sinéad Ní Mhórdha at the decks, the atmosphere was electric as the guests painted the town green.

The event was a truly international affair as it was broadcast live over the internet linking in with other Jameson parties in cities such as Oslo, Madrid, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Sydney, Vancouver and Montevideo in Uruguay.

Spring / Summer at Arnotts

At Arnotts: 1. Holly White; 2. Avril Farrelly & Courtney O’Hara; 3. Colette Fitzpatrick.
(Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Over 400 stylish guests attended the Arnotts 2010 Spring Summer Fashion show to launch the new collections in the store. The doll’s house backdrop provided the setting for the colourful show as the Spring Summer colours were paraded on the catwalk.

The new Kate Moss for Longchamp collection, which is exclusively available at Arnotts, was a highlight of the evening as guests enjoyed the show in the newly revamped ground floor. The show was styled by Catherine Condell with make up by Christine Lucinano, using Make Up Store, available exclusively at Arnotts.

Off the ramp guests on the night included designer Peter O Brien, Amanda Brunker, Rachel Kavanagh, stylist Darren Kennedy, TV3 presenter Colette Fitzpatrick, Holly White, stylist Maria Fusco, Nadine Wai O Flynn, Katie and Helen Goldin, Tara Fay, Michelle Heaton and her fiancé Hugh Hanley.

Style Wars

At the style Wars launch: 1. Orla o’Hanlon & Anna Daly; 2. Judges Caprice, Peter O’Brien & Angela Woods; 3. Ruth Rodin & Eoin Kavanagh. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)


Style Wars, a new show that will air on TV3 this summer and will feature ten of Ireland’s aspiring fashion talent battling it out to be Ireland’s ultimate style star, launched this week.

Over the course of the summer the contestants will compete in fashion-based challenges that will result in weekly eliminations. Each week, the carefully selected judges will decide who makes the cut and who will fall apart at the seams.

The show is open to all males and females over 18 but they must have a real obsession for fashion and know their haute couture from their high street.

The judging panel comprises two of the leading names in style and fashion and includes Caprice Bourret and international designer Peter O’Brien. Guiding the candidates through the rigorous tasks will be mentor Angela Woods, whose career, spanning three decades, has jump started the vocations of many Irish Designers since joining NCAD in 1996.

HOF is 5

Celebrating in House of Fraser: 1. Seanagh McCarthy; 2. Orla Hannon & Katie Little; 3. Hilary Madden. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)


House of Fraser marked its 5th Birthday and the forthcoming release of Disney's Alice in Wonderland with a host of exclusive themed events throughout the store.

The mad hatter’s tea party on Homeware’s was hosted by pastry chef Louise Lennox who cooked up fantastical treats for her eager guests and artist Graham Knuttel was in–store to launch and sign his new limited edition plate “Black Rum” for Tipperary Crystal. An exclusive Alice in Wonderland inspired one off painting by him was auctioned off on the evening and fetched €20,000 for the Irish Hospice foundation.

Nicholas Mosse created hand painted heart decorations to commerate the birthday celebrations and coveted pieces from jewellery designer Tom Binns’ new range of Alice in Wonderland jewellery for Disney couture was also on view. Wonderland themed fashion shows styled by Paula Hughes on the ladieswear floor took centre stage and were showcased with a pink mock house as a backdrop.

Guests mingled on the Wonderland terrace of Café Mimo with glasses of bubbly and were treated to delectable treats and homemade cupcakes from Louise Lennox. Among those spotted on the terrace were Tara Fay, Alannah McGurk and Graham Knuttel. Also enjoying the party atmosphere were Fran Nolan and Jane Baker (aka Fran & Jane) and Rosanna Davison who arrived with her mother Diane de Burgh.

Gone in 60 Seconds

At the awards: 1. Grainne & Padraig Conaty; 2. Lisa Cannon & Fergus Kealy; 3. Laura & Sinead MacNicholas. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Jameson and Empire magazine challenged all budding film makers to re-mix a classic movie in 60 seconds, add a dash of humour and submit their masterpiece – this week we got the results.

Two Irish winners were announced during a special screening at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival in the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield.

Tom Rowley’s remake of “There Will Be Less Blood” and Laura McNicholas’s portrayal of “The Departed” scooped them the top prize at the Irish leg of the competition. Each wins a 3 night VIP trip to London to attend the Jameson Empire “Done in 60 Seconds” Finalists party along with 18 other international finalists.

Their 60-second movie versions will then be judged by an expert panel of judges where the top 5 nominees selected will attend the Jameson Empire Awards on Sunday 28th March. The overall winner will be called up on stage to receive their very own award and afterwards mingle with the many international movie stars and the film industry’s movers and shakers in attendance.

A budding Neil Jordan or Jim Sheridan in our midst perhaps?

You're my Hero

At the Santa Rita 120 event: 1. Aine O’Brien & Laura Woods; 2. Darren Cawley & Aoife Mitchell; 3. Kathryn Thomas. (Pix. Leon Farrell)

The Merrion Hotel was the location where Santa Rita 120, the well-known and well loved wine from Chile, announced Darren Cawley as the inaugural winner of the Santa Rita 120 Local Hero award. Darren is awaiting a kidney transplant and works tirelessly to promote organ donation.

Familiar faces at the after party in The Cellar Bar were RTE’s Vivienne Traynor one of the judges of the award, actor Michael Hayes, Kathryn Thomas, Laura Woods, Danielle Hayes and Dublin City Sheriff Brendan Walsh. Also there were Etain Boyd, Paul Trainer of The Dubliner, Carol Hunt and Naoise Nunn (who launched the Mindfield festival this week, Tripod, end of the month).

Darren and his sister Martina Cullen, who nominated him, have both won trips of a lifetime for 2 to Chile. Darren has also won €10,000 for his nominated piece of community activity which is the European Transplant & Dialysis Games in Dublin this summer.

While we’re on the subject of Heroes, don’t forget the Heroes for Haiti ball is on in the Thomas Priory Hall at Bewleys in Ballsbridge this Friday night – plenty of social heads and celebs dressing up as their heroes for a great cause.

An Undergrowth Movement

At the Undergrowth Movement: 1. Alanna Dwyer and Tara McCumiskey; 2. Donal Haslan and Nici Smyth; 3. Conor Lynch and Anne Hogan. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)


Word of mouth brought 500 guests to the Academy, Middle Abbey Street for the launch of an Undergrowth Movement – a coming together of cutting-edge artists - Secret Wars - with new Bulmers Berry.

The centrepiece of the evening was a live art battle between two Secret Wars artists, followed by a set from the UKs No.1 beat boxer Reeps One, DJ Kormac and the band ‘Get Shakes’.

Guests enjoyed new Bulmers Berry amidst the surrounds of a specially designed undergrowth world, conceived by the Secret Wars artists. The Undergrowth Movement will continue with five more consumer ‘art battles’ nationwide from April 1st. To find out more follow them on Facebook – anundergrowthmovement.

Swatch it

At the Swatch event: 1. Magda Olas & John Dickie; 2. Carol Byrne & Emma Ledden; 3. Louisa Moran, Claire Wrafter & Simone Treacy. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

Iconic Swiss brand Swatch launched its exciting new Colour Codes Collection by throwing an 80’s inspired party in the Mongolian BBQ in Temple Bar. Guests including Pamela Flood and Emma Ledden listened to 80’s tunes spun by Morgan and were treated to canapés and cocktails reminiscent of the decade when Swatch was born.

iMelda May launches Vodafone iPhone

At the Vodafone iPhone launch: 1. Grainne & Sile Seoige; 2. Imelda May; 3. Siobhan O’Hora, Gill Dooley & Amy McGovern. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)


Rockabilly star Imelda May dazzled fans at a private gig in Odessa Club to launch the iPhone from Vodafone. Guests danced the night away as Imelda sang hit songs such as ‘Love Tattoo’ and ‘Johnny’s Got a Boom Boom’.

Guests on the night included Gerry Ryan, Aisling O’Loughlin, Ollie Cole, Mundy, Grainne and Sile Seoige and Vodafone’s Charles Butterworth and Martin Wells.

The undisputed highlight of the evening was when Imelda’s sister Fran joined her on stage for an impromptu duet – the sisters dazzled the audience with a breathtaking version of the George Gershwin jazz standard ‘Summertime’.

iPhone will be available on the Vodafone network from the 25th March.