This video from LFW popped into my box at exactly the right moment. I am just back from London and the fabulous Diva showrooms checking out the wonderful new samples and going through rails of fabulous dresses all destined for great Irish boutiques. Tonight is the Chic Unique opening in Ratoath and I just discovered that the dress I want to wear fell off the hanger and has been lying in a crumpled ball on the floor for days. If you only have an old-fashioned iron then consider buying a steamer and if all else fails and you’re in a crease fix fill the kettle and use the steam from that!
This is the sixth year of Divine Boutiques bi-annual and eagerly awaited fashion show. It took place in the Divine Boutique in Manor Mills Maynooth. Filled with customers who gave the show a terrifically warm vote of approval which was due in a small part to owner Mary Greene’s inspired choice of models who are all customers. Cheers and warm applause greeted all the women who wore the clothes with confidence. A wide ranging collection with plenty of choice in both day and special occasion wear and offering terrific value for money.
The following were all guests enjoying the evening
The Radisson Blu Hotel in Stillorgan was host to a Ladies Guild coffee morning fundraiser for the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght. The girls from (my Alma Mater), Alexandra College Music Department provided the lovely string quartet and singing while a fashion show was in full swing from Boutique Belle OwnerSusan Fox showcased her beautifully edited Autumn/ Winter collection with the help of the Compton models who very kindly gave their services for free.
I’m all ready to go, a little hillwalking in Glendalough with my friend Joan followed by home made supper and wine in the hostel. In the morning we’ll stretch our legs and feed our souls in the Wicklow Hills. Joan is a veteran Hill Walker and fundraiser. Before she picks me up in about an hour she will have completed a little half marathon for Breast Cancer research. A survivor of BC Joan now works with the Mater Foundation as their Community Fundraising Assistant. Iwill literally be pulled up the hills today and tomorrow by one of the best women I know.
Lifestyle sports have just introduced a great new pink ribbon running range. I love the pink tank and the 3/4 tights and what’s even better is that all of the pieces have the breast cancer pink ribbon on them. The Marie Keating Foundation for Breast Cancer research will receive 10% of the profits so what better way to look good get fit and support a really worthy cause.
Typical, lots of invitations for wonderful fashion events and all on the same night. Brown Thomas, Project 51 and nibbles and wine in Smock were all beckoning and then I remembered the one invite that had come weeks ago and needed none of the usual PR gentle reminders. It was the annual British Ambassadors Summer Party at his home in Glencairn Stillorgan. With perfect weather and queues of limo’s Chloe and I headed in through the gates and were ushered into a part of the grand gardens that had been turned into a temporary car park. Marquees, beautifully dressed people, sumptuous food delights from the best of the Artisan Irish producers which turned even the most polite and sparse eaters into raving gluttons. Waiters with wonderful pink champagne which if you bought a glass for 10 euro turned into a terrific raffle for the Irish Wheelchair Association , meanwhile the Guinness Jazz Band delighted everyone with their music. A play area which had the latest cars from Mini plus great big board games and bean bags and a golf simulator all added to the fun.
I’m a very serious serious chocaholic so I was delighted to find the most divine Irish chokkies from Choconeill and I’m only mentioning this because these are the best chocolates I have ever tasted.
Irish Tatler Editor Jessie Collins (who was there with partner Mark) hosted the fashion show from House of Fraser, Dundrum which was held on a ramp in the gardens. Please excuse the shakes on the video just put it down to the above named champers (all in a good cause, you know!)
I had a total obsession with silly putty when i was eight years old. I travelled alone by Aer Lingus from Dublin to Liverpool at the tender age of 4 years old. I had a small red suitcase and the air hostess took me by the hand to the big shed which was Liverpool airport where a man put a big chalk mark on my case and my grandparents where there to collect me. I remember thinking that I was terribly grown up and I have a clear memory of the excitement and feeling very important and grown up. I spent most of my Summers from then on in Liverpool with my grandparents and one of the most wonderful things to do was a visit to the joke shop in town where I was introduced to silly putty, magic wallets and other wonderful items to delight a child.
I thought some of these things found on McPhee were fun and those underpants for hands seem like a great idea for my poor hands which will be permanently frozen from soon through to next Spring necessitating the wearing of two pairs of gloves for most of the time. A bit of fun for a Sunday eh?
Nothing looks smarter and there is nothing to keep you warmer than a hat. The high street is full of great fedoras and all the designers had them in the collections for this Winter. If you want to buy a great Irish hat then look no further than Milliner John Shevlin whose hats have been gracing the heads of Irish men and women for years. He can be found every Saturday at Cows Lane Designer Studio, Essex Street temple bar Dublin and if he doesn’t have what you want will make a bespoke one for the same price as his RTW hats. During Dublin Festival of Fashion 9-11th September he is offering a 10% discount.
