Alber Elbaz for Lancome

Showtime: 1. Tina Choy and and SJ Wai; 2. Sarah Tansey; 3. Avila Lipsett and Roisin Tierney Crowe. (Pix. BME)

Lancôme's preview of a new range at The Exchequer Room at Fallon & Byrne was a big occasion recently.  It was the private unveiling of the Lancome Show range, which is the result of an exceptional collaboration with one of the most highly-acclaimed names in fashion: Alber Elbaz.

The Alber Elbaz Show for Lancome sees this fashion genius create four unique outfits for four legends of Lancôme make-up: Alber Elbaz lends his unmistakable style to four worldwide bestselling Lancôme mascaras.

Guests on the evening included the glowing Claire Byrne, who recently announced her pregnancy. Expecting her first child in October, Claire is engaged to  Gerry Scollan . Xpose Series Producer, Debbie O’Donnell stepped out, leaving baby Sam at home for the first evening. Karen Koster joined her on the evening. Karen, who is getting married next month to John Maguire, spoke excitedly about her forthcoming nuptuals.

Another bride in the room was Dyane Connor, the TV3 and her fiancé flew to Italy last week only to fall more deeply in love with their chosen venue.  Avila Lipsett explained her new venuture, The Black Door, is proving extremely popular with the ‘in’ crew and over 30’s to an excited Nuala Carey who promised to visit in the near future. 

And of course top beauty experts were keen to get a first glimpse of the collection that will be showcased to the world from mid-June and available to buy in department stores in Ireland from July 1. 

Specs appeal

Look: 1. RTE’s Louise Heraghty and Charlotte Doyle; 2. Irish Times fashion blogger Rosemary McCabe; 3. John Rocha with wife Odette Rocha. (Pix. KH)

Internationally-renowned fashion designer John Rocha has teamed up with Specsavers Ireland to launch a new eyewear collection. Available exclusively at all 44 Specsavers Ireland stores nationwide, the range features 13 contemporary designs to suit the modern woman. Inherently true to the John Rocha style, the timeless collection features beautiful colours, textures and wonderful temple embellishments.

John Rocha, who recently unveiled his autumn/winter 2013 collection at London Fashion Week, is known for his pared back styles and muted palette, and has made a departure this season using bright crimson, blush pink and indigo blue. This is reflected in his eyewear collection.

 “I’ve drawn on some of the recurring temple motifs, criss-cross and lace patterns and embellishments that you’ll find in my other collections, but have injected more colour. I usually tend to favour the more muted colours of black, ecru and charcoal but last year I spent some time working in the south of France and I suppose the light and colour there made me appreciate and consider colour more. I’ve used indigo and petrol blues, purple and berry red tones in a combination of metal and acetate to make the glasses a true fashion statement. Ultimately, if you love fashion or just feel good wearing them, then they are for you,” he says.

Kiehl's with Kenny Scharf

Limited edition: 1. Doireann Garrihy and Aoibhinn Garrihy; 2. Kristina Luykx; 3. Alison Canavan and Margaret Canavan. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Happy new year everyone!   

Let’s kick start 2013 with a very special launch hosted by an iconic beauty brand to benefit a most worthy cause.  Friends of Kiehl’s and Temple Street University Children’s Hospital came together for a special evening hosted by Kiehl’s marking a special collaboration with iconic Pop Surrealist, Kenny Scharf. 

Best known for his paintings, performances and installations that incorporate pop and comic imagery in evocative and nuanced reconfigurations, the legendary Scharf was invited to design its annual Crème de Corps Holiday Collection, which set to raise $200,000 for children’s causes around the world.

Guests, including stars of Irish television, art, fashion and the media world, mingled at a champagne reception held at the Kiehl’s boutique on Wicklow Street. TV presenter Darren Kennedy spoke about his online fashion series on ITV.com.  He’s also recently been appointed Creative Director of the LA College of Creative Arts.

TV3 news reporter Dyane Connor spoke about her nuptials taking place in Italy later this year and confirmed quietly that Cathy de Stafford will be designing her gown. RTE weather sweethearts Nuala Carey and Audrey McGrath joined socialite Avila Lipsett, whilst man about town Norman Pratt took the opportunity to stock up on Kiehl’s popular men’s range Facial Fuel.

Scharf’s newest, unconventional medium is Kiehl’s 4th annual limited edition Creme de Corps Holiday Collection featuring his vibrant work Globo Mundo.  Customised for Kiehl’s, Scharf describes Globo Mundo as “representing the whole world or globe; this application of my art was inspired by Kiehl’s, its patrons and their work in communities around the world.”

ABSOLUT Unique

Unique: 1. Timoi Oguniemi  and Karli Mulvaney; 2. Sinead Maria Ni Mhurchu and Maria Fusco; 3. Claire O’Gorman and Paul Francis. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

ABSOLUT VODKA proudly presented ABSOLUT UNIQUE – a truly unique limited edition of nearly four million uniquely designed and individually numbered bottles at an exclusive launch party at The Academy, Dublin.

500 ABSOLUT guests experienced the brands passion for creativity and were encouraged to celebrate their uniqueness with live DJ performances from international DJs Star Slinger and Jacques Lu Cont.

In addition, guests created their own unique cocktails at the ABSOLUT candy bar, ‘mashed-up’ their own unique playlist at the DJ booth and experienced how the brand pushes the boundaries of experimental contemporary design and reaffirms its position as a creative visionary.

Guests on the night included DJs, artists, models, musicians, bands, designers and creative influencers.

ABSOLUT UNIQUE, which contains ABSOLUT Original Vodka is available nationwide RSP €21.89. For a behind the scenes video of the ABSOLUT UNIQUE production process visit http://www.youtube.com/absolut

Simone Rocha

Coolest: 1. Katie Canavan & Sarah Rickard; 2. Emma Waldron; Angela Scanlan & Simone Rocha. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

West Coast cooler know how to throw a party…the truly decadent City Hall was as you have never seen it before….transformed into a cool, understated room fit for Dublin’s style kings & queens who turned out in force to see Simone Rocha’s inaugural collaboration with the brand.

Inspired by Simone’s S/S 12 collection the limited edition designs reflect her fascination with fabrication and texture creating a fresh femininity. Simone’s S/S 12 collection is a mix of transparent textiles encasing panels of lace and pieces of vintage embroideries which has been wrapped onto the West Coast Cooler limited edition designed bottle.

Speaking on the launch of her inaugural collaboration, she said, “I am looking forward to the West Coast Cooler launch and am very happy to have designed a limited edition bottle inspired by my S/S12 collection, hopefully it will be an evening everyone involved can enjoy!'

Simone’s collections have generated great press recognition including the January cover of ELLE featuring Lady Gaga in Simone’s green tulle dress to Dazed & Confused and i-D magazine. The Simone Rocha collection is stocked in some of the world’s most prestigious stores. Last September saw Simonelaunch a capsule collection for Top Shop, Simone presented her S/S 12 collection as a solo catwalk show during London Fashion Week.

Lowe and behold

Crème de la crème: 1. Nadine King and SJ Wai; 2. Lisa Brady and Louise Spotten; 3. Brendan O’Connor and Sarah Caden. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Friends of Kiehl’s and Temple Street University Children’s Hospital came together for a special evening hosted by Kiehl’s as they officially unveiled the Pearl and Daisy Lowe limited designed label for cult classic Crème de Corps, with a portion from each sale being donated to Temple Street University Children’s Hospital.

Almost 100 guests mingled at a champagne reception held at the Wicklow Street Kiehl’s Boutique. Maintaining its long-standing tradition of supporting children’s charities, Kiehl’s, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care, is delighted with the partnership with Pearl & Daisy Lowe and has agreed to donate €2.50 (plus VAT) of the retail price of each 250ml (RRP €31) and 500ml (RRP €52) Crème de Corps.

Among the guests were Marietta Doran, Triona McCarthy, JJ Gibbons and Delan Leavy of The Daily Update. Irish soap star Aoibhinn Garrihy was joined by her on screen Dillon sister Aoibheann McCaul, RTE’s Brendan O’Connor was joined by his lovely wife Sarah Caden whilst Casey Bulmer of Quintessentially chatted to make-up artist SJ Wai, who was with her stunning sister Nadine King.

Available from 13 March 2012 at the Kiehl’s Boutique, 35 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2 and Dundrum Town Centre.