Lucien Freud

Pictured attending the opening of the Lucian Freud Exhibition, which was held in the Irish Museum of Modern Art and runs until September 2nd, were 1. Nicola Gordon-Bow and Janet Mullarney; 2. Betty Ballagh and Mick O’Dea; 3. Professor John S. Ratcliffe and Mark Pearce; 4. Marianne Kelly and Kim Warnock; 5. Anne Mahon and Joe Mulholland.

Freudian slips

Hollywood, hhe land where showbiz was born (and rehab, but that’s another story), has come to Co. Kildare! If you fancy seeing a slice of tinseltown history get yourself down to the newly refurbished Newbridge Silverware showrooms in Newbridge, where the Style Icons museum as just opened.

William and Oonagh Doyle hosted a lavish opening party last week to celebrate this latest feather in the Newbridge hat. The museum, located above the showrooms, is a breathtaking space and resembles a trendy Gordon Ramsey restaurant more than anything else, such is the interior design and lighting. With memorabilia from the likes of John Wayne, Marlynn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, the beautiful space dedicated to the stars of the silverscreen is worth visiting.

Invited guests enjoyed a pink champagne reception (and beyond) followed by a gala dinner in the Silver restaurant. Among those in attendance were designer Synan O’Mahony, Brendan O’Connor and his wife Sarah Caden, model du jour Katy French (on again, off again!), Meg O’Keeffe of Image Magazine, Andrea Roche, rugby star Ronan O’Gara, Mary Treacy of Clerys and Jackie Lavin.

Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, who was accompanied by his wife Noleen, officially open the new space and was delighted to be on home turf, such is his hectic Euro schedule in Brussels. The opening was made all the more special with the addition of several unique pieces on loan form world famous memorabilia auction house Juliens, which were on view to the public for a limited period.



An exhibition of the works of Lucien Freud, arguable one of the most influential and important living artists of our time, opened at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) this week to much excitement. Comprising of some 50 paintings and 20 works on paper and etchings from the last six decades, several being completed just months prior to the exhibition, with others never shown before in a public venue.

Best known for his portraits and nudes, Freud’s subjects include his family, friends, lovers and fellow artists. His early paintings and works on paper are often associated with a meticulous control of the brushstrokes and line, depicting people, plants and still-life, including several made while living in Ireland. Grandson of the father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud, Lucien, who is now in his 80s, was unable at attend, but the show was opened by his daughter Rose Boyt.

Maura McKillen and designer Mairead Whisker, poet Anthony Cronin and Anne Haverty, Lord and Lady Burlington, artists Louis Le Brocquy and Anne Madden, The Hon. Desmond and Penelope Guinness, Patsey Murphy of The Irish Times, Christine Ryall of Christies were among those enjoying the evening summer sun as the party spilled outside.



Back to Kildare, and last night one of the most dramatic fireworks displays ever seen in that part of the country lit up the night sky. Celebrating the official opening of Kildare Village, Ireland’s premiere outlet shopping venue, the pyrotechnics were just one part of the entertainment on the evening.

Dancers, performance art, parades and music all added to the spectacular evening with food from Richard Corrigan and Fred Cordonnier of The Village at Lyons and Derry Clark of l’Ecrivain to feed the hundreds of guests, including Ian Galvin, Roxanne Parker, Julian Benson, fashionista Bairbre Power and socialite Cindy Caffola.

With discounted shops like Calvin Klein, Reiss, Karen Millen and Cotton Club offering 30 - 65% discounts (as well as Starbucks and Dunne & Crescenzi) there’s something for everyone. Bargain!

Giddy Up!

Pictured enjoying the recent Boylesports Guineas Festival at The Curragh were: 1. ‘Fashion on the Turf’ Best Dressed winner Nicola Clancy with finalists Rose Buggy and Eva Hayes; 2. Niall and Gillian Quinn; 3. John Higgins, Liam Boyle and Ken Doherty; 4. HRI Fashion Ambassador Kathryn Thomas.

Barbie

Ireland’s 3rd National BBQ Promotion kick starts this year with National BBQ Week running from Monday June 4 until Sunday June 10. Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon was cooking up a storm at the recent launch in the Trinity Capital Hotel.

Pictured enjoying the launch evening were: 1. Sharon O'Rourke and Nicola O'Reilly; 2. Karen Doyle and Laura Connolly; 3. Shane McGonigle, Keith O'Haire and Ealron Kennedy; 4. Chef Kevin Dundon, Paul Kelly and Joanna Brennan; 5. Wayne Cronin and Triona McCarthy; 6. Neasa Curran and Caroline Byrne.

For more info check out www.nationalbbq.ie

Idolize

Idol Vodka, the new premium French vodka made from Pinot Noir & Chardonnay grapes, was launch recently at an exclusive party in the Trinity Capital Hotel. Pictured were: 1. Gail Ferguson and Abbey Smith; 2. Emily O'Donnell, Sara Jane Wai - O'Flynn and Nadine Wai - O'Flynn; 3. Avila Lipsett; 4. Simon Paul and Laura McCarthy.

Fashion Reigns

With finger permanently on the pulse, fashion giant Topman know what’s hot and what’s not and with the new southside store Dublin guys now have a style mecca to rival the girls. Skinny jeans and distressed t-shirts never looked so good.

To celebrate the opening of No.41 Grafton Street, Topman hosted a music bash at the cavernous CHQ last week which attracted a hip crowd of trendsetters. Looking like they just stepped off the set of the latest Hot Chip video, the guests enjoyed an aural extravaganza from bands such as the 1990s, Good Shoes and The Holloways. Irish band Fight Like Apes won a slot at the gig too.

Among the fashionistas there on the night were Alex Fitzgerald, Niall O’Farrell (jetting off to Monaco for the GP the next day), Bairbre Power (just back from Madrid where she was recording a feature for the Afternoon Show) and Eoin Higgins (who is leaving The Dubliner for pastures new very soon).

Also there were Tania Adams of Topman, Brendan Rodgers, and Siobhan O’Dowd of Pod concerts. She’s busy organising the upcoming Garden Party music festival in Ballinlough Castle, home of the Nugent family. The 1-day, intimate event takes place on Saturday June 9th and with acts like the aforementioned Hot Chip, Pet Shop Boys, Carl Cox and the Bodytonic crew, it’s one gig not to be missed. Think of it as Electric Picnic’s little brother.




The Boylesports Guineas Festival at the Curragh last weekend was a huge success, wind and rain regardless. The ladies stepped up to the plate in the fashion stakes with competition rife for the Best Dressed title. The lucky winner, Nicola Clancy, bagged a cool Mitsubishi car for the year among other prizes, after the judges decided she was the most stylish on the day.

Fashion Ambassador Kathryn Thomas (elegant in a black and white crazy striped dress) and her fellow judges Alan Hughes, Triona McCarthy, Gillian Quinn and Jacinta O’Brien, had a tough deliberation, such was the level of style. Other winners on the day included Finsceal Beo, who won the feature race of the day – the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas.

Other racegoers on the day included snooker players Ken Doherty and John Higgins, rugby star Ronan O’Gara, Sir Anthony O’Reilly and Lady O’Reilly, Ray O’Brien, songwriter and producer Karl Broderick and business tycoon John Magnier.




Despite the pouring rain of Wednesday evening the style brigade turned out in their droves to attend a chic cocktail party at the Trinity Capital Hotel for the launch of Idôl, the new premium vodka from France. Famed for fine wines, France is now home to the first vodka in the world produced from grapes – the vodka for wine lovers! Despite the inclement weather, or perhaps because of it, talk on the evening was of upcoming holidays and summer plans.

PR guru Sinead Ryan and her beau Malachy Geelan were just back from a long sojourn in Nerja, Norman Pratt was shopping in Milan, while food connoisseur Andrew Rudd had been filming for TV3 in Madrid.

Popular party girl Avila Lipsett proved that she’s more than a pretty face as she entertained the crowd with her DJ skills. An essential element to a good party, she’s being booked for all the big bashes this season and is busy planning her forthcoming trip to Marbella. Astrid Brennan is jetting off to LA and Vegas soon, while Triona McCarthy will be hitting the social scene in Monaco. Gavin Kilduff is also off to Marbella as is popular novelist Marisa Mackle, who will be putting the finishing touches to her next book.

A surprise guest on the evening was Jean-Claude Boisset, president of Boisset France, the makers of Idôl Vodka. He also happens to be the third largest wine producer in France, so he knows his Pinor Noir and Chardonnay grapes. He thought the Dublin launch was one of the best he’s been to of all the Idôl events worldwide.

Among the other guests enjoying the specially commissioned cocktails from Gareth Lambe of Venu Brasserie were Halina Ashdown – Shiels, Dr. Marco Lombardi, deputy head of the Italian Embassy, TV presenter Taragh Loughrey – Grant, Katie Jane Goldin and Sandra Byrne.

Chi - Chi

Chi, the trendy Asian restaurant in Blackrock Co. Dublin, celebrated its 1st birthday this week. At the party were: 1. Siobhan O'Connor and Norman Pratt; 2. Una Healy and Eoin Macken; 3. Louise McDermott and Sonia Harris and 4. Rebecca Lawless and Sinead Farrell.

Go Racing!

At the launch of the upcoming racing season in the Four Seasons were: 1. Tamso Doyle and David Cox; 2. Caroline Morahan; 3. Debbie O'Donnell and Marisa Mackle; 4. Astrid Brennan and Sienna Cunningham.

Good Sports!

The Summer vibe is well and truly in the air. The proverbial ‘stretch’ is in the evenings and cocktail hour is al fresco (weather permitting, natch). It’s safe to venture out sans coat these days (better bring a brolly though, just in case) and don those oversize dark sunglasses.

One favourite pastime of mine during this social season is horse racing. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not down track side talking about the ‘going being good to soft’ or trying to figure out my exacta strategy. No, I’ll be wining and dining (or whining and dining if I’ve lost a few quid) in the corporate hospitality area watching all the action from within. It’s the style and fashion, gossip and laughs from the racing set that interests me and this year is set to be a bumper racing season.

Horse Racing Ireland recently launched the season at a party in the ICE Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel, where it was also announced that TV presenter Kathryn Thomas is to be the fashion ambassador this year, taking over from Caroline Morahan. In fact, this coming Sunday (27th) sees the Boylesports Irish Guineas festival at The Curragh, with mega prizes up for grabs for the best dressed lady, so girls get those hats out!



Another date for your diary is the White Tie and Diamonds Ball which takes place at the Finca de Concepcion in Marbella on July 7th. A truly glamorous affair, it is in aid of the charity Water Angels, which was set up a few years ago by Mark and Lynn Quinlan to raise awareness about water safety. Rebecca Jane Higgins, Gerald Kean, Lisa Murphy and Aysha Campion – Awwad are some of those who will be there. Gabriel Byrne, who is a patron of the charity, is also on the guest list. Checkout http://www.waterangels.org/ for more info.



One of my favourite artists, Chara Nagle (aka CN), hosted her first major solo exhibition recently in the beautiful surrounds of No.15 St. Stephens Green. Chara, who paints huge, vivid pieces, was delighted with the event which attracted a huge number of her fans, among them Debbie O’Donnell and Sinead Desmond (who is the subject of one of Chara’s dramatic pieces). Keep an eye out for her work and buy it now, because a piece by Chara will be worth a fortune in years to come.



Talking of pieces, the number of hair pieces used at last weeks L’Oreal Colour Trophy Awards must surely be a world record. Dubbed the ‘Hair Oscars’, this event just gets bigger and better every year and is a firm fixture in the social calendar, taking over the O’Reilly Hall in UCD.

Some of the guests included Pamela Flood (who did a tremendous job as Emcee), Melanie Morris and Lisa Maher of Image, model Catriona Mannion, Gavin Lambe – Murphy, Triona McCarthy and radio presenter Adrienne O’Hora. It seemed like House of Colour swept the board this year but in the end Toni & Guy took the top prize and we all celebrated at the after party in Lillies till the next morning (where the hair styles didn’t fare as well).



I took a trip out to Portmarnock recently (who knew it was so far away?) to attend the gala dinner hosted by Brian McFadden and John Aldridge after their Celebrity Am Golf tournament. In aid of the Temple Street Childrens University Hospital, a number of well-known faces took to the golf course, including Ronan Keating and his wife Yvonne (who is just learning to play golf but was well able to keep up with the rest/best of them).

Halina Ashdown - Sheils of Advanced Cosmetic Surgery hosted a table with daughter Debbie, the gorgeous Delta Goodrem, PR supremo Joanne Byrne, Brendan O’Carroll and Phil Neal were among those there. The after dinner auction raised tens of thousands for Temple Street (with the aforementioned Ashdowne - Sheils girls generously dipping into their purses) and we were even entertained with an impromptu duet from Ronan and Brian.

Par for the course at a celebrity do I guess.

Belmayne

At the launch party for Belmayne were: 1. Miro Kaljajic and Maria Fusco; 2. Diarmuid Gavin and Sarah Morrissey; 3. Michael and Suzanne Stanley and 4. Jamie and Louise Redknapp.

The Feast is Back!

Top model Roberta Rowat grabs her relaunched HB Mint Feast from the gasp of iconic 90’s character the incredible Hulk ( aka Darragh Hayes).

TV3 honors James Morris

At the TV3 dinner for James Morris were: 1. Mary Finan and James Morris; 2. Harry Crosbie and Jim Sheridan; 3. PJ Mara and Eamon Dunphy; 4. Sinead Desmond; 5. Kathy Gilfillan and Olive Braiden; 6. Denis O'Brien, Paul McGuinness, Lorraine Keane, Eamon Dunphy and Noel Pearson.

Sign this..

At the Smirnoff Signature party were: 1. Emma Roche and Marisa Mackle; 2. Jayne Harrison and Patricia Field; 3. Aoife Cogan and Ruth Griffin; 4. Richard Stearn, Rebecak O'Neill and Eoin Kavanagh.

TV PM

So many parties, so little time. So little time for anything these days really but I guess everyone is in the same boat. I took a well earned break recently and sampled the delights of Italy, so apologies for not reporting.

What’s been going on lately? Well it’s all about TV, or “the idiots lantern” as an old teacher of mine used to refer to it as - but I’ll bet he didn’t know what Jo Lo, et al, were up to or which country is the cool place to adopt a child from. And now, dear readers, you can get all that information from TV3’s new entertainment show, Xpose, which will be beamed into your living room every evening.

In true TV3 style, Xpose was launched with a swanky party in City Hall which was attended by a host of well-known faces as well as the TV3 posse, natch. Debbie O’Donnell, former head honcho at Ireland AM, has been given the top job on Xpose so expect great things during the week from the 6pm slot.



Speaking of TV3, the new CEO Dave McRedmond recently hosted a gala dinner in The Shelbourne Hotel (look out for the new courtyard which will be opening there soon) for the founder and retiring chairman of the station, James Morris. It was a veritable who’s who of the business, film, TV and arts world as the guests gathered to pay homage to the man responsible for breaking the state monopoly and bringing variety into Irish homes.

Some of the guests included Denis O’Brien, film director Noel Pearson, Olive Braiden of the Arts Council, U2 manager Paul McGuinness and his wife Cathy Gilfillan, Eamon Dunphy, Sinead Desmond of Ireland AM, Dave Fanning and his wife Ursula Courtney, Jim Sheridan and political spin doctor PJ Mara.

On the evening, Doughty Hanson, the new owners of the television network, handed over a (substantial) cheque to a charity nominated by James Morris and his wife Fionnuala. Expressing his gratitude to all involved, Morris detailed the rocky road to the start of TV3 and made reference to all those who helped establish the independent station. Bravo Mr. Morris, this country needs more visionaries like you.

In other TV news, Smirnoff recently hosted a party in the Clarence to celebrate the launch of the latest ad campaign from the vodka brand (remember kids, drink responsibly). The slick commercial takes you on a trip throughout the world as it tracks the origins of the brand through the ages. Marisa Mackle, Rebecca O’Neill and Nicolas Nannetti (who is set to leave Dublin for Miami soon) were among the guests.



Ever wondered where the “in” crowd will be setting up home in the near future? When they get sick of the city they surely will have Belmayne on their list of possible habituées. This new mega-development will eventually encompass over 90 acres and come complete with a town centre.

Special guests on the evening were Jamie and Louise Redknapp who flew in from the UK for the party. She set the fashion stakes high and looked stunning in a simple Stella McCarthy navy baby doll dress teamed with this season’s must-have Christian Louboutins. Susan Stanley wife of Michael Stanley exuded simple elegance in a little black wrap dress with Louise Doheny of LM Developments supporting a super funky leopard print dress accessorised with Cavalli.

Other stylish guests included celebrity Belmayne garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, the ever beautiful Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey, top model Andrea Roche, RTE favourite Derek Mooney and the popular TV3 presenter Alan Hughes. The ever glamorous Avila Lipsett was also there and spent the evening chatting with Karl Broderick. Ireland’s uber couple, Rosanna Davison and Wesley Quirke were also there, as were Richie Stokes, Nadine Wai – O’Flynn and Fiona Roche, who is looking forward to the White Tie & Diamonds Ball in Marbella on the 7th of July.

Gorgeous Living (as the provocative ad campaign for Belmayne declares), indeed.

People

Out and about with... 1. Glenda Gilson at the launch party for the new Yamamori Restaurant; 2 & 3. The latest collection from fashion designer Helen Cody; 4. Actor David Kelly, Senator David Norris, TV3’s news anchor Colette Fitzpatrick and Den 2’s Kathryn McKeown and Barretstown campers pictured at Smyth’s Toys in Dublin City at the launch of Barretstown's Bandana Day which takes place on May 12th; 5. Sandra Byrne and Katie Jane Goldin at the Walkers Sensations TV Now Awards.

Xposed

TV3 recently hosted a mega bash to celebrate the launch of their new entertainment show, Xpose, in City Hall. Pictured are: 1. Lorraine Keane; 2. Rosanna Davison and Wesley Quirke; 3. Louis Walsh, John Reynolds and Celia Holman - Lee; 4. The Xpose team - Lisa Cannon, Aisling O'Loughlin, Lorraine Keane, Karen Koster and Sybil Mulcahy.

Most Stylish Woman in Ireland

Winner of the 2007 VIP Peter Mark Style Awards, the stunning Lisa Fitzpatrick.

VIP scenes

Scenes from the VIP Style Awards: 1. Emily O'Donnell and Nadine Wai - O'Flynn; 2. Wayne Cronin and Andrea Roche; 3. Katie Jane Goldin and Sandra Byrne; 4. Astrid Brennan and Michael O'Doherty; 5. Karen Koster.

VIP Peter Mark Style Awards

The red carpet was rolled out at the newly opened (and very impressive) Shelbourne Hotel for one of the social highlights of the year. Outside it was a miserable wet evening as the doormen ran with umbrellas to and from the line of black chauffeur driven cars which snaked around the corner from Kildare Street.


Inside, the glamour stakes were high as the beautiful people, all in their finery, milled about the marble foyer. The twinkle of bling, the warm glow of a tropical tan, the click clack of Christian Louboutins. Further in there was more click clacking, but this time it was the unmistakable sound of the paparazzi, shouting names, trying to get the best shot, straining at the velvet cord that kept them at bay.

Welcome to the VIP Peter Mark Style Awards!

This is the night that began months ago in the pages of VIP magazine when the 20-strong shortlist of the most stylish ladies in Ireland was announced. Since then thousands of readers voted for their favourite, with some of the nominees mounting their own personal campaigns to secure the coveted title of Most Stylish Woman of the Year.


All 20 nominees short-listed for the Award attended and looked amazing - Miriam Ahern, Rachel Allen, Claire Byrne, Valerie Craughwell, Rosanna Davison, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Glenda Gilson, Celia Holman Lee, Rachel Kavanagh, Lorraine Keane, Mary Kennedy, Karen Koster, Caroline Morahan, Jenny McCarthy, Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, Andrea Roche, Annette Rocca, Grainne Seoige, Kathryn Thomas and Laura Woods.


At the Bollinger champagne reception the clinking of glasses, the mwah-mwahs of air kisses and the peals of laughter added to the tremendous air of excitement as the 280 guests mingled before enjoying a sumptuous 5- course dinner with Torres wines. As we entered the Shelbourne's Great Room we were astounded by the spectacular floral and crystal display, designed specially for the evening by Appassionata Flowers. Hosts for the evening Emer O’Reilly – Hyland and Michael O’Doherty kept the evening going with their banter and witty one-liners, much to everyone’s amusement.


Some of the TV stars in attendance included Pamela Flood, Anne Doyle and Eileen Dunne from RTE; Lisa Burke from Sky News; Channel 6 beauties Michelle Doherty and Jenny Buckley, TG4’s Sinead Ní Loidean, Sorcha Ní Cheide and Aine Ní Dhroighnean, TV3’s Colette Fitzpatrick, Elaine Crowley, Martin King and Laura Bermingham, to name but a few.


Caroline Morahan won the much anticipated accolade of Best Dressed on the night, which was voted by the guests. She looked stunning in a gown from Cathy de Stafford and was surprised and delighted to have won.


Other guests attending included top models Roz Lispett, Aoife Cogan and Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey, along with Clodagh Hopkins, Vivienne Connolly, Niall McCrudden, Triona McCarthy and Leyton Denny, Mark Kershaw and Katy French, Stephen Kelly and Sandra Byrne and Gail and Hazel Kaneswaren (who are both expecting babies this summer). Peter Mark boss Barry Dempsey and the Keaveney family chatted to the many guests, most of whom are their customers!


There could only be one winner though and it was the beautiful Lisa Fitzpatrick, who was there with her husband Paul. She dazzled on the night with a sequined marine blue long dress form Lara in Dame Lane which was topped off with diamonds from Paul Sheeran jewellers. A stylist on Ireland AM and for The Gerry Ryan Show, Lisa (who really is one of the nicest people you could ever meet) also runs her own image consultancy business.


She walked away with the stunning award, designed by Louise Kennedy for Tipperary Crystal, to great cheers from all the guests. She also won Peter Mark hair care for a year, €1,000 worth of customised Lancôme products and a sumptuous weekend for two at the Penthouse in Aghadoe Heights Hotel, Killarney.


After the excitement most people continued on to Renards where the unofficial after party continued and the post match style analysis took place. Each year the VIP Style Awards goes from strength to strength (it started as a lunch event) and is now a firm favorite in the ever expanding social calendar.


Plans, I’m sure, are afoot for next year.

Strike a Pose

Looking glam at the VIP Peter Mark Style Awards were 1. Karen Koster, 2. Celia Holman - Lee and 3. Caroline Morahan.