Brown's Cafe

First birthday: 1. Claire Moinot, Mona Schinke, Florence Lourme; 2. Deirdre O’Brien, Edel Kinane.

(Pix. Paul Sherwood)

Browns Bar and Café at Brown Thomas Dublin celebrated the café’s 1st birthday and the first successful year with leading luxury resort Carton House at the helm.  Guests enjoyed champagne and canapés taken from the menu of Carton House followed by a beauty master-class from make-up expert Karen Nelson at Laura Mercier.

Deirdre O’Brien Director of Sales and Marketing at Carton House welcomed guests and highlighted how both BT and Browns Bar and Café by Carton House offered the perfect stop-off for overseas visitors with afternoon tea, mouthwatering food and a range of cocktails and champagne available in the café, not to mention personal shopping experiences and make-up masterclasses arranged by Brown Thomas.

So Belle

Ciao Belle: 1. Vivienne Connolly and John Compton; 2. Teresa Rocca and Virginia Macari; 3. Rosemary Duffy and Celine Brady. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

So Belle Beauty Rooms in Castleknock celebrated 10 years in business recently.  All their loyal clients were in attendance to toast the salon including Dublin Housewive stars Virginia Macari, Jo Jordan and Roz Flanagan as well as Vivienne Connolly, John Compton and Theresa Rocca.

Also launched on the night was a new eyebrow treatment called "HD brows" and So Belle is the only salon in Dublin 15 to provide these celebrity accessories.  Expert Nicola Talbot was on hand to provide the glam girls with beautiful brows.

UniSlim at 40

The world renowned weight loss brand UniSlim celebrated its 40^th anniversary recently with a party at the Radisson Royal Hotel on golden Lane.  Among the guests were: 1. Laura O'Shea and Caroline Roche; 2. Joanne Connolly, Claire Hendrick and Michelle B. Kane; 3. Fiona and Uwe Gratzer. (Pix. Sasko Lazarov/Photocall)

Fitzpatricks Shoes at 50

A toast to Success: 1. Declan & Catherine Fitzpatrick; 2. Nadine King; 3. Marco Moreo & Rachel Armstrong. (Pix. Richie Stokes)

One of Ireland’s iconic family-owned retailers, Fitzpatricks Shoes, which was founded in 1926, celebrates 50 years at their landmark Grafton Street store this month. To mark the 50th Anniversary the store held a special celebration with champagne and shoe themed cup cakes for glamorous guests who included rugby stars Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden, actress Suzie Amy, TV presenter Claire Byrne (who hosted the event) and Rachel Kavanagh.

To celebrate the milestone Fitzpatricks unveiled a new online store and also launched a 50 piece signature Fitzpatrick own-label high fashion collection. These classis designs are sure to be a big hit with fans of the upmarket boutique and proved very popular on the evening. Other top brands carried by the store include high end names like Marco Moreo (who flew in for the party), Dubarry, Sorel and Barker.

Owner Declan Fitzpatrick, who is understandably proud of the rich history and success of the store, announced a new fourth generation to help continue the great achievements - his son Andrew Fitzpatrick and head buyer Rachael Armstrong both join the Board of Directors and will see the business into the next 50 years.

Tyrrell & Brennan celebration

Couture: 1. Niall Tyrrell and Donald Brennan; 2. Katy Gannon; 3. Max Carpio, Amy Greenwood and Colin Fagan. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Niall Tyrrell & Donald Brennan celebrated fifteen years in business this week with a spectacular showcase event at the Grand Canal Theatre. During that time they have developed a reputation as Ireland's leading couturiers with clients from all around Ireland and the UK. Many well know faces from the world of film, media, politics and music as well as discerning woman from across the country wear Tyrrell & Brennan Couture and were in attendance to raise a toast to the design duo.

At their private showrooms in Dublin and by appointment, Donald or Niall guide each client carefully through their couture collection. The process, where it is possible to try on samples, is to select the right silhouette from the range, then the fabric and finally to choose the colour. The subsequent fittings will ensure a perfect and individualised fit. A team of skilled artisans produce each piece with care in the Dublin studio.

Tyrrell & Brennan have had not one but seven of their dresses grace the red carpet at the Oscars and many more at other top events. In addition their ladies tailoring service has been appreciated by many senior business and political figures in Ireland. Former President McAleese wore Tyrrell & Brennan Couture when she greeted HM Queen Elizabeth at the Aras earlier this year.

Happy birthday Karen Millen

Millen around: 1. Laura Scanlon, Hannah Devane and Tara O Farrell; 2. Karen Koster; 3. Sheila Flaherty and Denice McNamara. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

High street retailer Karen Millen celebrated 30 years in business with a party to unveil a limited edition anniversary collection of 30 must-have accessories. The Grafton Street store was thronged with KM fans including Karen Koster, Lisa Fitzpatrick and Hannah Devane.

The event was one of 30 being hosted worldwide to celebrate this big occasion for the iconic fashion brand. With Jacob's Creek Reserve reception, mini makeovers from the LA Make-up Academy and tunes from CiCi Cavanagh it was a night to remember.

Eason is 125

Well read: 1. Cathy Kelly; 2.  Ruth Melody. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Eason, Ireland’s leading retailer of books, stationery, magazines and lots more, officially marked its 125th anniversary with an exclusive event in their flagship store on O’Connell Street where some of Ireland’s literary greats came out in style to mark the milestone.

Special guests included one Ireland’s best-loved female authors, Maeve Binchy, who made a very special appearance at the event together with Cathy Kelly and Paul Howard (aka Ross O’Carroll Kelly). As part of the evening, each of the three authors shared their memories of Eason from childhood right through to their first book signing, remarking on the great support Eason provided over the years.

Other well known Irish authors who enjoyed the evening were Sarah Webb and Anna McPartlin while RTE’s Eileen Dunne and weather girl Nuala Carey were also in attendance.

Continuing on the celebrations to mark this landmark, Eason has planned a host of special events including special celebrity book signings, book club evenings and author evenings, which will be open to the public and free of charge. Eason has also planned to re-introduce a limited edition retro bag with the recognisable blue and green stripes in celebration of its 125th anniversary.

Rembering Ross

Benefactors: 1. Emma Nugent & Rene Gilmartin; 2. Chereen O’Toole & Maira O’Reilly; 2. Peter Devlin & Lorraine Keane. (Pix. Gary Connolly)

A gala evening for the Ross Nugent Foundation took place in Cruzzos, Malahide recently. The event was held in memory of Ross Nugent (son of Dundrum Town Centre boss Don Nugent) with the aim of buying equipment for St. Clare's Oncology Ward in Beaumont Hospital. The gathering was held to commemorate Ross's one year anniversary.

Ross fought a brave battle against Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer and, before his untimely passing, made a promise to his mother Sandra to raise funds for hospital equipment in order to make life more comfortable for patients, visiting relations and the nursing staff.

The evening kicked off with a champagne reception followed by a four course dinner with entertainment from the band 'Smooth'. Guests on the night included family and friends of the Nugent family as well as special guests Lorraine Keane who MC'd on the night, and her husband Peter Devlin.

For more information on the Ross Nugent Foundation log on to www.rossnugentfoundation.ie.