If the Shoe fits

Shoe Gardening: 1. Alesha Dixon; 2. Brendan Courtney and Amanda Brunker; 3. Virginia Macari. (Pix. KH)

Alesha Dixon brought Henry Street to a halt as she arrived at Arnotts to launch the amazing new Shoe Garden at the store.  Wearing a green M Missoni dress and gold Buffalo heels she was met by Arnotts CEO Nigel Blow and Chairman Mark Schwartz. She greeted fans for an hour on the night before taking part in a live interview with IMAGE Magazine editor Melanie Morris.

A choreographed shoe fashion show on a grass carpet wowed all those in attendance with songs from Run DMC ‘Walk this Way’, Alesha Dixon’s ‘The Boy Does Nothing’ and ‘These Boots Were Made for Walking’ from Nancy Sinatra.

Guests enjoyed shoe shaped cookies and shoe themed cupcakes from the Clodagh McKenna Restaurants at Arnotts and bespoke cocktails from 37 Dawson Street. Among those in attendance were Lorraine Keane, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Clodagh McKenna, Karen Koster, Anna Daly, Debbie O’Donnell, Brendan Courtney, Bairbre Power, Virginia Macari and Roz Flanagan.

With 47 brands housed in a space of 10,000sqft the Shoe Garden opening caused a stampede by shoe loving girls!

Fashionably

Cooler: 1. Darren Kennedy and Kate McCarthy; 2. Natalia McCarthy and Niamh Fitzsimons. (Pix. Sasko Lazarov / Photocall)

Fashionistas joined West Coast Cooler and stylist Darren Kennedy recently in Bite Restaurant for the launch of its new ‘Fashionably’ AW12 bottles. The new limited edition bottle design embodies how abstract prints bring edginess and diversity to fashion by infusing confident use of colour with bold patterns. Visually striking, these bottles make a true fashion statement and are sure to be this season’s must have accessory.

Guests enjoyed a West Coast Cooler reception and a delicious lunch in Bite before exploring their own ‘abstract’ side with an exclusive screen and block printing fashion workshop. Fashionable attendees on the day included Anne Marie Boyhan of What She Wears, Leanne Woodfull of Thunder and Threads, Natalia McCarthy of Fixated on Fashion and West Coast Cooler Brand Manager Kate McCarthy.

Newbridge Silverware Style Icons

Iconic: 1. Ruth Melia; 2. Gay Byrne and winner Suzanne McGarry; 3. Anne Channon. (Pix: Mark Stedman/Photocall)

The Moyglare Stud Stakes included a much anticipated Ladies Day at the Curragh recently. The newly crowned Rose of Tralee Nicola McEvoy was joined by Gay Byrne to announce Suzanne McGarry from Strandhill, Co. Sligo, as the winner of the Newbridge Silverware Style Icon Competition.  Racegoers enjoyed free admission courtesy of Moyglare Stud, to celebrate its 50th year in Ireland.

On your Marks

AW12MandS: 1. Annemarie O'Connor and Louise O'Reilly; 2. Celia Holman Lee; 3. Sinead Desmond and Elaine Butler Doolin. (Pix. KH)

Ireland’s top fashion media descended upon Marks & Spencer’s Rooftop Restaurant in the Grafton Street store for the unveiling of the store’s elegant autumn winter collection.

Super stylist Catherine Condell produced the up tempo and directional show, which focussed on the major trends for the season including Modern Military, Demure, 21st Century Remix, Arts & Crafts and Gothic Romance. Guests were also treated to a sneak peek of the gorgeous new Rosie for Autograph lingerie collection which was recently launched in store to great acclaim.

Former Miss Ireland Olivia Treacy, who flew home from LA for the show, looked regal as she showcased the hottest looks for the new season, while top models Irma Mali, Teodora Sutra, Sarah Morrissey and Karen Fitzpatrick also turned heads as they took to the catwalk.  Key pieces from the show included the iconic Autograph digital print dress, an Autograph military coat and a per una leather dress, which looked super on model Yomiko Chen.

The FROW was full of fashion savvy guests including Celia Holman Lee, Cathy O’Connor, Ingrid Hoey, Angela Scanlon and Courtney Smith all enthusiastically discussing their favourite looks from the show.

Among the other guests were TV3’s Alan Hughes, Glenda Gilson and Debbie O’Donnell.  Stylish duo Bridget Coffey and Liz Greene attended on behalf of the British Embassy, while Louise Heraghty from 2FM caught up with the ever-glamorous Lorraine Keane and Lisa Fitzpatrick.

Hotpress Yearbook

Who’s Who: 1. Tanya Wai Lawless and Alina UiChaolla; 2. Casey Smith; 3. Mickey Harte and Louise McDermott. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

It was that time of the year again where Ireland’s hottest movers and shakers of the music industry turned out to celebrate the Hotpress Yearbook & Who’s Who Launch Party 2012, in association with Jameson.

The publication first launched back in 1979 and since then has been the definitive guide to the Irish music, media and entertainment industry and the Who’s Who guide to the movers, shakers and power makers of the nation. Niall Stokes of Hot Press hosted the launch along with a host of well-known names at The Workman’s Club music venue.

Guests who turned out on the night for the music and entertainment industry event included Danny O’Reilly of the Coronas, Irish singer-songwriter Mundy, Nick Seymour, SJ Wai and the Dirty Epics as well as musician Brush Shiels, award winning Irish actress and singer Maria Doyle Kennedy, illusionist Steve Spade and upcoming Wicklow band Children of the Son.  Refreshing Jameson, Ginger and Lime drinks were served alongside Thai bites from Diep.

The Hot Press Yearbook has been described as 'the bible' by a plethora of the industry's most influential figures, including Bob Geldof, Dave Fanning, Tom Dunne, Eleanor McEvoy, RTE producer Ian Wilson – and many more.