Chainstore gang

MOST amusing sight of the week was watching the Brown Thomas crew examine virtually every inch and seam at the opening party - for the new Debenhams in the Jervis Street Centre. Even BT's chairman George McCullagh and his wife Edie turned up for the opening, as did the ever tanned MD Paul Kelly, director Cecily McMenamin and marketing executive Dolores Delaney.

While the two stores hardly gem to be obvious rivals, there are some very covetable designer items in the very ordinary looking British chain store, including affordable clothes designed by Jasper Conran, bags by Lulu Guinness and hats by our own Philip Treacy (who last week won yet another award - accessory designer of the year in Britain).

Young architect David Hughes was puzzled at the number of shy smiles and discreet waves he was on the receiving end of until it was pointed out to him that the hat department was probably not the wisest place to be, given that he is virtually the double of the Sligoborn hatmaker.

Other vigilant local retailers at the party included Nicky Creedon of Havana and Helen Kilmartin of Minima.

The big frustration of the evening was not being able to buy anything - the tills weren't open as the party organisers considered it a bit declasse to sell on the night. This was a big disappointment for anyone who had hoped to get in ahead of the posse and snap up some Jasper duds. In British branches of the store the J. collection, as it's called, as been known to sell out in a week.

The party continued at La Stampa, where Debenhams MD Terry Green spent most of the evening locked in conversation with Tony Ryan.