Fashion Focus

The beautiful Jenny Lee Masterson at the Whitewater Fashion Focus show last night.

Gail Kaneswaren strikes a pose on the Focus Fashion runway last night.

Corina Grant at Whitewater last night.

A bit of coverage from outside of Dublin now (but remaining within The Pale). Last night saw the Fashion Focus event launch at the brand spanking new Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. It’s the biggest shopping centre outside Dublin. So there.

Ireland’s fashion ambassadors, Caroline Morahan and Pam Flood, were on hand to act as a pair of well informed, glamourous MCs. I hope those girls like their jobs. Can you imagine being pushed out to front every fashion event in the country when in actual fact your favourite outfit is a tracksuit?

But I digress, as Terry Keane used to write (or did she?). Running from Friday 28^th April to Monday 1^st May Whitewater’s Fashion Focus event will celebrate all things fashion and beauty related. Fashion conscious shoppers can look forward to fashion shows each day from featuring Ireland’s top models. Customers can preview Spring Summer lines from retailers including a|wear, Bershka, Clarks, Coast, Debenhams, Espirit, H&M, Jane Norman, Karen Millen, Oasis and Pull and Bear.

Not only are the good folk of Newbridge lucky enough to have the second largest shopping centre outside Dublin (AND the HQ of my favourite luxury brand, Newbridge Silverware), but phase two of the centre will be launched in September 2006. This will comprise a first for the Irish market with the introduction of a new specialist boutique promenade known as ‘The Avenue’. This will run along one external side of the centre and will act as a dynamic civic space for both the residents of Newbridge and visitors to the centre. Swanky.

There were a pleathora of VIPs there last night, but as I actually wasn’t there myself I can’t say who they were. But, dear readers, top Irish models Corina Grant, Gail Kaneswaren and Jenny Lee Masterson were all there, and that’s all we really care about, isn’t it?

I hope your bank holiday weekend will be as good as mine.

Keith Duffy Celebrity Golf Classic

The stunning Myleene Klass pictured at the gala dinner on Monday evening.

Coronation Street stars Susie Baker and Sally Lindsay enjoy the HB Magnums and champagne reception at the Keith Duffy Celebrity Golf Classic gala dinner in Citywest Hotel on Monday evening.

Ex-Boyzone member and Corrie star Keith Duffy gathered together some of his celebrity chums on Monday for his annual Celebrity Pro Golf Classic and Gala Dinner, which took place at the Citywest Hotel and Country Club. The day commenced with a host of names, including infamous cad James Hewitt, Steve Staunton and actor Johnny Briggs taking to the course. (I expect that Johnny will be playing a lot of golf in the future, since his character Mike Baldwin was killed off Corrie.)

The gala dinner, now in its fourth year, is a firm favourite among charity glitz set, making it a key date in the social diary. The evening kicked off with a lavish champagne reception where guests were indulged by the irresistible temptations of an exclusive Magnum chocolate fondue fountain and the brand new HB Magnum Mint ice creams. With magnums all round, the girls were well impressed.

The stunning and ever glamorous hostess Lisa Duffy set the tone of the evening, in a fab knee length white dress which flowed effortlessly. Lisa Fitzpatrick was a vision, as she graced the red carpet in stunning Grecian style multicoloured ball gown. Beautiful TV presenter and musician Myleene Klass encapsulated natural elegance in a stunning powder blue sleeveless floor length ball gown. She was more than happy to showcase her stunning diamond engagement ring to friends and later joked that she had left her Irish fiancé, Graham Quinn, at home to plan the wedding.

Others out in force to support this worthy cause were Coronation Street stars Susie Baker (Bev Unwin) and Sally Lindsay (Shelley), gravel voiced former Eastenders star and Celebrity Love Island contestant Michael Greco, celebrity magician Keith Barry, Sinead Ryan and Joanne Byrne and UTV’s Gerry Kelly.

Among the deserving charities to benefit from the golf event and gala evening were Irish Autism Action and autism charities SPEAC and ABACAS. Pauline McLynn and Deirdre O’Kane saved the night as they stepped in to MC the event after comedian Des Bishop fell ill.

Maybe his recent public gaffs are a symptom of Foot In Mouth disease?

Girls Pepe for the weekend

Sienna Miller and J.P Gallison in the latest Pepe Jeans campaign.

Keeping abreast of the latest fashion trends, as I like to do, I ventured out to the Pepe store in Dundrum yesterday. Their latest campaign shoot features Sienna Miller, who will be the face of Pepe for the next two years. The campaign, which also stars male model J.R. Gallison, was beautifully captured by photographer Mikael Jansson and shot on location at Paradise Cove in Malibu.

Vibrant, summery colours feature heavily throughout for girls, with fitted skirts and dresses accompanied by boho style white tops. Casual, deconstructed blazers are perfect for louche boys who secretly care. As always, Pepe come to the fore with their great selection of jeanswear.

Anyhoo, while I was there I bumped into two of Ireland’s top TV totty. Recently voted the most stylish woman in the country, the gorgeous Pamela Flood was looking fresh and relaxed, despite her hectic schedule. Ireland AM presenter Maura Derrane was seeking opinions on her purchases, though she needn’t have bothered. She looked great.

Both girls were abuzz about this weekend’s Smart Telecom TV Now Awards which will be hosted on Saturday night in the Mansion House. It’s the second glitzy event within a month courtesy of publisher Michael O’Doherty. Ambassador you are spoiling us.

Being diplomatic, as I am, I didn’t dare mention the fact that the two girls are pitted against each other in two categories, Best TV Show and Best Female TV Presenter.

May the best woman win.

Tropical

Laura Dwyer and Tomas McKenna pictured at the Herbal Essences party last week.

Flower Girls

Dearbhla Hogan and Julie Ann Furnival enjoy the recent Herbal Essences Rainforest flower party.

Paradise Found

The Printworks Gallery at the Morrison was transformed into a tropical paradise recently with top florists Appassionata (who were formerly with McQueens of London) shaking their magical design flair upon the venue for the Herbal Essences Rainforest Flowers launch party.

Not only were we surrounded by exotic blooms like cassia, banana flowers, vanilla flowers and red ginger, but mixologist Paul Lambert of Diep Le Shaker created three bespoke Rainforest Flowers Cocktails for the occasion. Beauty therapist Gillian Fox was on hand to offer Indian head massages and the LA Make Up Academy were in full makeover mode for a few lucky girls.

Throw in a few scantily clad models and, yeah, it was as close to paradise for many (although I used the shampoo a few days later and you could easily recreate said paradise in you own bathroom at your own convenience).

Among those I spotted at the party were Norman Pratt, Tamara Gervasoni and Roisin Tierney – Crowe (who has just recently joined Slattery Communications), DJ Mo Kelly, Keith Gill and Nalini Nathan, Olivia Morahan, Gina Kelly and Anna Lavery with Nick Costello, who are busy with the up coming Irish premiere of Mission Impossible III, which will be hosted next week.

Tom Cruise will most likely not be in attendance.

Irvine Welch pictured at the launch of the new Mill Theatre in Dundrun last week.

Through the Mill

Internationally acclaimed author and playwright, Irvine Welsh (of Trainspotting fame) flew into Dublin last weekend unveiling Dundrum Town Centre’s €14 million state of the art theatre, The Mill Theatre. Irvine was joined by renowned singer and actress Honor Heffernan and actor and stylist Graham Cruz.

The opening of the theatre represents a milestone for Dundrum and has been funded by the developers of the Town Centre as part of its development plan for Dundrum. Box office sales for The Mill Theatre will commence on Tuesday April 18^th 2006.

Irvine, who actually lives in Rathmines Dublin 6, is based in the UK at the moment putting his own screenplay, “The Man Who Walks” into action and directing the first video for the group Keane. His play “Babylon Heights” will premier in the Dundrum Town Centre Mill theatre in August - and he is thrilled as the space is ideal for it.

“Babylon Heights”, based on a true story, is set behind the scenes at the making of the Wizard of Oz told from the perspective of four munchkins. As the munchkins were played by four tiny people, one of whom was from Ireland, the cast treated them as second class citizens and their lives were pretty miserable during the making of the film. Judy Garland even referred to them as "drunken, debauched idiots".

The theatre will hold its gala opening night on Thursday, 4^th May 2006 when Uachtaran na hEireann Mary McAleese will officiate and attend its maiden performance. The Mill Theatre launches in style with Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”, which has been secured as the opening show. Though first performed in 1938, “Our Town” was set at the turn of the twentieth century and tackles the big issues of life and death uncompromisingly, counseling the viewer to relish the moment, to enjoy the fleeting moments of every day life and implores the audience to look one another in the eye.

The theatre boasts 206 seats in its main auditorium and 50 seats in the lounge area which will be used for lunchtime performances. It also has a café and a bar, 2 rehearsal rooms and 2 art exhibition spaces. It is also equipped with impressive state of the art technical equipment, including lighting production, sound production, communications systems and a motorised raise and lower system.

Another great reason to head Southside to Dundrum, the Mecca for, well, almost everything.

It's All Good

TV star Kathryn Thomas with Shona Murray at the Urban Outfitters Good Friday bash.

Great Friday

It wasn’t a good Friday, it was a bloody great Friday. One of the only days (bar Christmas Day) that the pubs and clubs in ballygobackways Ireland are closed. Ironically though, it’s a night that sees some of the best house parties take place across the land. Indeed, the queues outside off licences (or liquor stores, if you will) on Holy Thursday are not to be reckoned with.

The good Samaritans at that bastion of cool, Urban Outfitters, had a brainwave to host a monster bash in their store on Good Friday evening. The perfect way to warm up proceedings I thought, as did about four hundred others, such was the massive attendance. Always a handy way to gauge fashion trends, the guests at an Urban Outfitters shindig have their fingers on the pulse.

Celebrating Good Fashion and Good Lifestyle, the guests cooled down with Coors Lite and got hot under the collar with River Rock Emotions mixed with quality Stoli vodka. Music was provided by the likes of Porn Trauma and Philth on the decks at Carbon music (where do they come up with those names?).

Blonde scribe Marisa Mackle was there with her NBF, singer and party girl Jeanette Cronin, of You’re A Star infamy. The pair met while appearing on the TG4 reality TV show Ni Gaeilgoir Me. Jeanette is now full time resident in Baile Atha Cliatha so expect to see/hear much more about her!

Also looking effortlessly cool on the evening were Jonothan McCrea (off to Barcelona this week), Killian O’Sullivan (still clicking his heels in RTE’s Celebrity Jigs ‘n Reels) and Channel 6 presenter, and Eddie Irvine ex., Michelle Doherty (who raced straight from the studio).

Model turned author Dylan Townsend (little brother of super star Stuart) was on form and fresh from the joys of having his first book published. TV presenter Kathryn Thomas looked fab in a wrap around number, no doubt planning her next excursion abroad. Roxanne Parker, model Ben Redmond, Nicola O’Riordan, Sean Montague and Brendan Scully and stylist Aisling Farinella were also in attendance.

And nearly everyone I spoke with were off to bigger and better parties. I guess we were all in some sort of Good Friday agreement.

The Dark side

Magician Dave Knight trys to trick Keith Foran of AfterDark.ie at the launch party last night.

After Dark ...

The line of fired up chariots parked outside Cocoon last night gave an indication to the type of party it was. The fired up chariots (as opposed to chariots of fire) being a Ferrari, a couple of Range Rovers and a plethora of Beemers. The "IT" crowd were out en force.

Guzzling champagne and Vodka Red Bull, the assembled guests were there to celebrate the launch of an exciting new website, afterdark.ie. The brainchild of boys-about0town Keith Foran and Ivano Caffola, the site aims to be an entertainment portal for the party hard core, those clubbers and socialites who keep the lights burning seven nights a week.

Afterdark.ie brings together the top clubs and pubs in the city (including SIN, Cocoon, Rush, PoD and Renards) and creates an online community for those beautiful people who frequent them. Forums, competitions, news items and photo galleries have already attracted a steady flow of party people to the site. Keith informed me that they’ve already had over 16,000 unique visitors.

Some of the boldface names I spotted were top model Glenda Gilson (who was sporting semi-curly hair again), Richard Kavanagh, Triona McCarthy, Alan Amsby, Trevor Musgrave, Social & Personal publisher PJ Gibbons and Cindy Caffola (looking sexy in a black trilby).

American businessman Pat Brennan was in town from San Francisco. He’s currently working on a new restaurant project here in the city. Designer Nicky Wallace was there too, as was Virginia Macari, who has just become my neighbour and moved into her plush new apartment at Smithfield Market.

Post-Cocoon the posse continued on to Lillies, though it was well after dark by the time they left.

[The members launch party for afterdark.ie takes place this weekend at twentyone.]

Super Star

He may not be Jesus Christ, but he sure is set to be a Super Star. John Maher, lead singer of rock group Jaded Sun.

Not So Jaded

Jaded Sun, the rock n’ roll outfit from Dublin, will soon embark on their debut Irish tour, taking in most of Irelands top music venues across the country. Long over due but justified in the delay, as the hard working band have been reaping the fruits of their labour with a very successful 2005.

Jaded Sun formed in 2002 and recorded their critically acclaimed debut EP “Raw” in 2004. This launched their rock profile to a national stage with the debate on whether download charts should be chart tracked, as their song Raw was the most down loaded track on Ireland’s premier down load charts CPU. The track broke all down load records in Ireland, with the track staying at the top of the charts for almost 30 weeks. Also in 2004 the band reached the Irish final of the Global Battle of the Bands, which the industry put them as one of the biggest prospects in Irish music.

The band were signed by Sian Records in May 2005, and went straight into the recording studio with Irelands top rock producers Chris O’Brien and Graham Murphy, with Chris being recognised as one of the most accomplished Irish rock producers ever, producing the likes of Aslan, Hot House Flowers, Adam Clayton and Boom Town Rats. In fact he even went as far to say “John (lead singer with Jaded Sun) was arguably one of the best lead vocalists that he had ever worked with or ever seen”.

Already the band have been making a name for themselves on the international scene, as they have been asked to write the theme song for a movie remake of Apocolypse Snow, which was a cult snowboarding movie in the 80’s, with the film getting Hollywood backing and also the director being Didier Lafond, who co-directed the blockbuster Terminal Velocity starring Charlie Sheen, so this is an opportunity that could catapult the band into world stardom.

Jaded Sun play Eamon Doran’s on May 6^th.

For more info check out www.jaded-sun.com