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!

Paul Stafford lunch

Good Foundations: 1. Tracey Stafford and Tanya McGilligan; 2. Adam Clayton; 3. Laura Woods.

(Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Paul Stafford Foundation Lunch took place at La Stampa Hotel recently and The Dining Room was packed to capacity for this now annual event. The Paul Stafford Foundation was established in 2007 to raise awareness and address the serious issue of suicide in Ireland. This year’s lunch was in aid of Walk in my Shoes, a campaign led by U2’s Adam Clayton which helps raise the much needed funds for young people with mental health issues or those suffering with depression.

The much anticipated lunch has been sold out for weeks and the dining room was filled to capacity. It was magic from the moment guests arrived, with illusionist Joe Daly entertaining the guests, following this they tucked into a four course luncheon cooked up by La Stampa head chef Malcolm Starmer who kept everyone happy with his expert cuisine.  The lunch was hosted by TV presenter and friend of both charities Laura Woods. Guests on the day included Adam Clayton, Caroline Desmond, Jackie Lavin, Dr Jim Lucey, Pippa O Connor and Barry Devlin.

The ladies of Dublin were rewarded for coming out in all their finery with  the best dressed receiving a coveted pair of PRADA shoes from the current Spring Summer collection – kindly sponsored by the Shoe Rooms at Brown Thomas. Not to be out done the men in the room gave the ladies a serious run for their money in the style stakes, with Louis Copeland himself judging best dressed man, and rewarding him with a tailored, bespoke suit from his current collection.

Spring into BT

Strike a pose: 1. Laura Whiston; 2. Sarah Rickard and Katie Grannell; 3. Gillian Brett. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

Brown Thomas hosted an exclusive preview of its Spring Summer 2012 Collections. Spring predicts a bright and colourful fashion future, with designers tapping into their feminine side for inspiration. Emerging from this womanly pursuit is a whimsical yet elegant imprint. The dress remains fashions big story, with ‘Ladylike Glam’ its sartorial headline.

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.