Fashion Festivities

Fashion forward: 1. Angie Grant & Norman Pratt; 2. Emily O'Donnell, Avila Lipsett & Suzie Houlihan; 3. Celina Murphy and Aideen Finnegan. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Well-known faces from the Irish fashion scene were among the many lucky guests who were treated to an extravagant party for the inaugural Dublin Festival of Fashion kicked off. With celebrations centred around fashion and style, where better to launch the weekend than the beautiful surroundings of the Powerscourt Centre – the ultimate in destination shopping in Dublin.

Hosted by Dublin City BID (Business Improvement District) , the three-day festival took over the city’s leading shopping districts, with a series of fashion and beauty master classes, styling workshops, fashion shows and other quirky fashion-related events, running throughout the weekend and catering to absolutely everyone.

uCCa A/W

uCCa Looka: 1. Rebecca & Emma Davis; 2. Roisin Finnegan & Eimear Walsh; 3. Ciara Campbell & Eoin O’Brien. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

To uCCa Boutique in the Westbury Mall for a sneak preview of its Autumn/Winter 2010 collection this week. Stocking great labels like American Vintage, Superfine, Rutzou, Hunkydory and many more the clothes are stylish, comfortable and easily become the ‘must-have’ items for any wardrobe.

Catherine Crowley who owns and runs the boutique invited a host of socialites, close friends and family and fashion press to share the special evening with her. Guests, who were treated to tasty cupcakes and champagne, included Emily O’Donnell, Toni Wall, Rebecca and Emma Davis, Suzanne O’Brien and fashion guru Alannah Gallagher.

M&S A/W

Grey Day: 1. Chara Nagle; 2. Sandra Byrne; 3. Liz Greehy. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

On your Marks: 1. Sonya Lennon; 2. Elaine Butler Doolin and Leslie Doolin; 3. Emer O’Reilly Hyland. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)


Over 200 of Dublin’s fashion elite turned up to see Marks & Spencer unveil its autumn winter collection at the new Aviva Stadium - the first fashion show to ever take place in the stunning new venue.

Top models Ruth Griffin, Sarah McGovern, Nikki Bonass and Yomiko Chen took to the runway to showcase major trends for this season. Top Irish stylist Catherine Condell, produced the show focusing on “Minimal” and “College Gleek” and “Desk to Dinner”.

Guests included Sinead Desmond and Sybil Mulcahy of TV3, designer Peter O’Brien, Off the Rails presenter Sonya Lennon, Emer O’Reilly Hyland and artist Chara Nagle.

Marks & Spencer’s Irish Autograph designer Marc O’Neill, who flew in from London especially for the event was present to give his inspiring tips for the Autograph collection this season.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

At the movies: (Above)1. Tody Evans and Becky Gray; 2. Daniela Sabatini and Audrey Brennan; (Below) 3. Joanne and Susan Cahill; 4. Caroline Mahon, Helen Miajlovic, Vivianne Mahon and Joan Geoghegan. (Pix. Elevate)

Specially invited guests gathered at The Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield for an exclusive screening of the digitally re-mastered ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ hosted by THE GLOSS and Moët & Chandon Cinema Club. The screening marked the continuing success of cinema events which have been running throughout the year to mark the glamorous role the Champagne brand has played in the history of film, both on and off screen.

In ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe stars alongside smouldering brunette, Jane Russell, as two friends and showgirls from Arkansas, Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw. Oozing all of the glamour and glitz of the 1940s, along with Monroe’s iconic performance of ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’, this digitally re-mastered movie transports viewers to another time and place.

The next screening hosted by THE GLOSS and Moët & Chandon Cinema Club will be the iconic Christmas classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Details of how to be in with the chance to attend this event will be in the November issue of THE GLOSS, distributed with the Irish Times on Thursday, 4th November.

IFTA toast

Honouring: 1. Paul and Elma Cusack; 2. Grainne Barron and Cathal O'Shannon; 3. John McColgan. (Pix. Mark Stedman)

The Irish Film and Television Academy honoured Cathal O'Shannon with “A Life in Television” tribute event at the Conrad Hotel in Dublin recently. O'Shannon is a veteran of Irish television and is regarded as one of the most important Irish broadcast journalists of our time.

Buzz Magazine

Buzzing: 1. SJ Wai & Nadine O’Flynn; 2. Shane Lennon, Ruth Melody & Kamal Ibrahim; 3. Roz Flanagan & Jedward. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The Sun was shining on No. 10 Ormond Quay recently for the launch of the all new Buzz entertainment magazine. Free every Saturday with The Sun newspaper (see what I did back there?) the mag was the toast of the evening at a lavish party in the luxury surrounds of the Georgian townhouse.

The wine flowed and the food was plenty and on the guest list were Aisling O’Loughlin and Karen Koster, actors Dave Duffy and Asaf Golfrid, Virginia Macari, Mikey Graham, Maria Fusco and Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT.

Entertainment from the legends that are Jedward and The Camembert Quartet rounded off what was (seriously) one of the best events of the year ... there was even an ice sculpture! Now when was the last time you saw one of those at a party?

Jewels for Cures

Jewel in the Crown: 1. Miriam O’Callaghan & John Crown; 2. Fiona Foy Holland & Kathleen Dillon; 3. Siobhan Carnegie, Jane Hardy & Rose McDowell. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Jewels for Cures was launched recently. A cancer charity, the campaign aims to raise funds for the Cancer Clinical Research Trust (CCRT) founded by Professor John Crown and based in St Vincent’s University Hospital. The charity is asking for donations of gold, precious jewels, fine art and antiques, which will then be auctioned at a special Jewels for Cures Christmas Auction in early December.

Everyone has jewellery in their jewellery box, which is never worn, either broken or having lost sentimental value. Use the value of your unwanted jewellery or that painting that no longer fits with your house to raise money to fund cutting edge cancer research.

For more info check out www.jewelsforcures.com.

Gant A/W

Gant Slant: 1. Liam Donegan & Jane McDougald; 2. Louis Copeland & Kamal Ibrahim; 3. Ciara Lefroy & Sean Munsanje. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Master tailor Louis Copeland and Jameson Reserves hosted a VIP customer evening in the Gant store, Dundrum Town Centre recently. The store, which opened last month, previewed the Autumn/Winter collections from the Americian label credited with having re-invented preppy style in the 60’s.

Guests enjoyed Thai food whilst being guided through the characteristics of Premium Jameson Irish Whiskey and a Jameson Reserves whiskey tasting by Jameson Distiller Liam Donegan. Musician and composer Drazen Derek entertained guests on the night with an acoustic guitar set. Guests on the night included Sean Munsanje, Kamal Ibrahim, Katie Jane Goldin and model Ruth Melody.

Tongues

Speaking in tonges: 1. Liz Quinn and Ruairi Quinn; 2. Margaret Squire; 3. Rebecca Ford and Ziad Nash. (Pix. Mark Stedman / Photocall)

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin T.D., helped launched Michael O'Siadhail's new book 'Tongues' at the new Dublin Convention Centre at Spencer Dock, Dublin. 'Tongues' is Michael O'Siadhail's thirteenth book and is a collection of poems in celebration of language.

Biologique Recherche

Skin deep: 1. Beverley and Julie Elder; 2. Denise Twomey, Judy Madigan and Liz Sharpe; 3. Geraldine Mahony and Gerard Beshoff.


It has a fan base that reads like an Oscars invite list; celebrities and models swear by its active ingredients and natural properties and this week Biologique Recherche opened its new centre of excellence for Ireland, in a landmark location in South County Dublin.

Sanctum Skincare Clinic in Dun Laoghaire will exclusively offer treatments and products from what is recognised as one of the world’s leading skincare brands, Biologique Recherche, to both women and men

Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, John Galliano, Sofia Coppola, Elle McPherson and Jennifer Connolly are all fans of this exclusive cult brand. Biologique Recherche is only distributed to selected skincare and beauty clinics, with intensive training a pre requisite for its hand-picked therapists.
CEO Dr Philippe Allouche flew in from Paris to join Rachel Walsh and Tonya Costello for the launch of Sanctum Skincare Clinic and was joined by a host of friends, clients and well wishers for the event.

The Town

In Town: 1. Ben Affleck & Rebecca Hall; 2. Rhys Ifans & Q'orianka Kilcher; 3. Triona McCarthy & Helen O’Dwyer. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

In Town: 1. Robbie Fox & daughter Megan; 2. Glenda Gilson & Sean Musanje; 3. Sheena & Sharon O'Buachalla. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Hollywood superstar Ben Affleck was in Dublin this week for the premiere of his latest movie The Town. Not only does he star in the film but he was a director too and at a Q&A session after the screening he admitted that he’d been working on the script and trying to persuade people about the movie for years before it got made. His co-star Rebecca Hall joined him on the evening.

Miss Ireland 2010

  

Miss-ion accomplished: 1. Sonia Mohlich and Romy Carroll; 2. Miss Ireland 2010 Emma Waldron with judges Elaine Crowley & Virginia Macari; 3. Krishna Naidoo and Michelle McGrath. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

The glittering Miss Ireland final took place on Saturday night at the D4 Berkley and the lucky girl to represent her country was the gorgeous Miss Waterford Emma Waldron. 

Emma is 21 and is currently studying to be a primary school teacher. She also teaches violin and is very committed to her charity work in Ozman House in Dublin with St Vincent de Paul. Miss Antrim Natasha Shafai was first runner up and Miss Wexford Laura Scanlon was second runner up.

TV3’s Sinead Desmond and current Mr World Kamal Ibraham played host on the evening and kept the audience going with a high octane double act throughout during proceedings.  Among the judges who were tasked with selecting the winner were fashion designer Synan O’Mahony, hair stylist Michael Doyle, former Miss Irelands Amanda Brunker and Siobhan McClafferty and actor Lukas Hassel.

A highlight of the event were special guests Edele and Keely Lynch (formerly of multi platinum selling band ‘Bewitched’) making their debut performance as the ‘Barberellas’ performing their new single “Let your Body Rock” and other numbers from their new album which will be released in February 2011.  Think Kylie mixed with Lady Gaga and multiply by two!

Pauric Sweeney at BT

In the bag: 1. Gillian Murphy; 2. Joanne Hynes & Pauric Sweeney; 3. Catherine Woods. (Pix. Leon Farrell / Photocall)

Celebrated Irish bag designer Pauric Sweeney returned home to launched his exclusive AW10 Collection at Brown Thomas recently. Renowned for his modern but stylish collections the designer was thrilled with the turnout for the party in the Accessories Hall. Among the guests were Pat Carr, Emily O’Donnell and Sonya Reynolds.

Cannonball 2010

Canonballers: 1. Joanne White & Jurgen Cun; 2. Lord Mayor Gerry Breen & Kathryn Thomas; 3. Adam Costello & Shane Lynch. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

Merrion Square in Dublin was a spectacular sight as 160 of the world's finest cars and Ireland's most colourful Cannonballers lined up for Cannonball 2010 in association with the charity Barretstown.

The star-studded convoy included Boyzone star Shane Lynch, former Miss World Rosanna Davison and boyfriend Wes Quirke, No Frontiers presenter Kathryn Thomas, TV3's Elaine Crowley, models Georgia Salpa and Hazel O Sullivan and Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen.

The Cannonball Ireland Convoy consisted of 3 action packed days taking in some of Ireland's most scenic routes while also travelling through the most welcoming town and villages in Ireland such as Westport, Donegal, Clarinbridge, Killarney, Cork city and Cashel. The event sponsored by Stobart was eagerly awaited in each of the destinations with street festivals planned all over the country.

Arnotts A/W 2010

Fashion forward: 1. Sonya Lennon; 2. Nadine Wai-O’Flynn; 3. Aisling O’Loughlin. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

The Arnotts 2010 Autumn Winter Fashion Show took place in the contemporary setting of the Conran Shop on the top floor of Arnotts on Tuesday evening (14th September). The overriding message this season is one of a return to classic timeless looks and the new Autumn Winter collections at Arnotts reflected this.

New Ladieswear brands to Arnotts this season include Aquascutum, Reiss, Boutique by Jaeger, NW3 and Coast. New male brands include Thomas Pink, Paul Costello, Sand and DKNY.

Over 300 attended the stylish event and guests included Sonya Lennon, Aisling O’Loughlin, Alannah McGurk, stylist Maria Fusco, designers Peter O’Brien and Deborah Veale, Tara O’Leary and Virginia Macari, Nadine O’Flynn and Image magazine’s Richard Power.

The latest trend in the baking style stakes, whoppie pies, were served to the guests, amongst other delicacies catered by The Church, which also hosted the afterparty. Everyone took home a generous goody bag filled with an Arnotts voucher, Bobbi Bobbi make up voucher, Rituals shower gel and Miller Harris perfume.