Heaven sent:Heavenly Gifts is the name of a special event taking place at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 next Saturday and Sunday, which will bring together a number of boutiques including the Dalkey Design Company, Glynis Robins, Kalu, the Tramyard Gallery, Enniskerry Trading Company, and many others.
A good buy for fashionistas will be The Limited Edition, a leather-bound diary for 2008 with sketches (as seen here) by couturier Peter O'Brien, who is known not only for his recent a/wear collections, but also for his costumes for productions at the Gate Theatre. O'Brien will be in attendance, signing copies. Paddy O'Flynn from the Wine Buff in Sandycove will be showcasing a range of quality wines from small vineyards. Heavenly Gifts will take place in the Minerva Suite in the RDS from 10am to 6pm, admission free.
Crystal clear
It may not be enough to save jobs in Ireland, but Waterford Crystal has launched a range of crystal jewellery. Designed by the internationally known jewellery designer and former investment banker, Robert Tateossian, in collaboration with John Connolly, chief designer at Waterford, the range includes chunky rings, chandelier earrings, a charm bracelet and long lariat-style necklaces. The collection features pieces based on designs from the company's signature stemware collection. Many pieces imitate the idea of chandelier droplets, and each is finished with sterling silver. The collection consists of 15 pieces costing from €95 to €265, and a collection in red crystal is also on its glittering way to selected outlets including Weirs and the Kilkenny Shop.
Mark my maher
"I don't want people to think of me as a model, but as a young designer starting out in Paris," says Johanna Maher, a Claudia Schiffer look-alike and former successful Irish model who worked for Valentino, appeared on the cover of Marie Claire and other magazines, but then decided to change tack and study fashion. Having graduated from Mod'Art in Paris, she now works for Paule Ka, and plans to go out on her own within the next year. "Chanel, Givenchy and YSL, all together," is how she described her style, which is very French and very elegant (above). At the recent exhibition of Irish fashion at the Irish embassy in Paris, she showed a fitted black and white printed cotton coat with a ruff of iridescent black feathers, and the day we met she was wearing a black brocade shrug trimmed with guinea fowl feathers. Watch this space. She can be contacted at johanna.maher@wanadoo.fr
