The fash-pack's summer party circuit has been further enhanced this year with the addition of next month's Glitter Ball at Powerscourt House, Co Wicklow. Held to raise money for the Kosovo refugees, the July 10th event is due to begin with a champagne reception on the terrace and conclude with dancing to music by Cuban band Salsa Brava. If you want to pick up on the evening's Latino theme for your costume, try studying the multi-ruffled outfits worn by Cuban singer Celia Cruz - a latter-day Carmen Miranda without the fruit bowl on her head - and learn to love hot colour. More information/tickets available from Joanne Byrne at 01-6789888.
What do drag artist RuPaul, singer K.D. Lang and American presidential wannabe Dan Quayle have in common? It turns out they are all fans of cosmetics company MAC. While the first two named are MAC "spokespersons", Quayle has recently been reported as always using the products. According to a recent report, he "personally carries a makeup bag with a laminated sheet of instructions so, should he do an interview, he can look his personal best". Maybe some Irish politicians would now like to give their own cosmetic brand endorsements?
As already reported earlier this year, the 70th anniversary of Audrey Hepburn's birth last month has been eagerly commemorated in the United States. Now on this side of the Atlantic, author Pamela Clarke Keogh's Audrey Style - a guide to recreating the late actress's look in the privacy of your own home - has been published by Aurum (£20 in UK). Thanks to lots of judiciously chosen photographs, it shows many of Hepburn's key looks such as the little black dress and the Capri pants. While you may not be able to have Hubert de Givenchy as your personal couturier, a chic gamine style is still possible to attain.
We were in Clerys one evening early last week to see a fashion show introducing some new labels and to observe how the department store's overhaul is going. The good news is that the whole place is starting to look fresher, brighter and easier to walk around than has been the case in living memory without becoming intimidating to older customers. But, since walking has been mentioned, how come none of the models at the Clerys fashion show knew how to move in four-inch stilettos? It's really very simple: you lead with the toe (not with the heel) and place one foot directly in front of the other. If you can't manage this, stick to flats.
