Gifts for good causes, compiled by Nicoline Greer
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER This coat from the current John Rocha collection, in gorgeous brown velvet, is one of the items on auction in the Project Arts Centre this evening at Hearing Aids, an out-of-the-ordinary fundraiser for AIDS Orphan Support, a charity based in Kenya which schools and supports a large group of children whose parents have died of AIDS.
Orphan Support started out four years ago in a township on the rural outskirts of Nairobi, when it became apparent that some 20 children had been orphaned in quick succession by the disease. Surrogate mothers came forward to take them into their own homes. But the number of orphans almost doubled within a year, and full-time care became more than the community itself could manage. Funds are most needed now to develop a small polytechnic college to train growing orphans in skills for their role in the community.
The night, organised by the music collective called the Alphabet Set, combines fashion, art and music over three rooms of the Project. It kicks off at 6.30 p.m. with the auction of the Rocha coat and works of art by several artists, including the painter Elizabeth Cope, and the photographer Mike O'Toole. From 8 p.m. to 2.30 a.m. the Project fills with music, with DJs including Karla and T-Woc in the bar, live acts including Mandalla and Holy Ghost Fathers in the Cube, and electronic acts, including Schroedersound, Jimmy Behan and Herv, in the Space Upstairs. Admission to the auction is free, to the music acts €13, and all proceeds go direct to the Kenya orphans. A worthier night on the tiles you could not have. - Belinda McKeon
GREAT YARNS What can be more festive than red at Christmas? And more luxurious than cashmere? This bold and simple cashmere knit (€320) with chiffon jive skirt (€560) from Lucy Downes's Sphere One winter collection is an eye-catching mix of texture and colour, each designed for the other. The top is a figure-hugging knit with a cowl neck and the skirt in silk chiffon has been specially hand-dyed to match. Layered underskirts of tulle, rayon and lining, have been similarly dyed to match, creating their own special effects. "It is unbelievably light and fluffy," says Downes. The knit comes with its own belt and rose pin that can be worn either on the hip or around the neck. If detached from the belt, the rose can be pinned to the lapel of a jacket. Sphere One stockists include Havana and Clothes Peg in Dublin, Kalu in Naas, Cobou in Ballina, and Michelle O'Doherty in Belfast. www.sphereone.biz - Deirdre McQuillan
OVER THE TOP If time and money were no obstacle, here's what would be on our list to Santa. Topgifts.ie have loads of "fulfil your wildest dreams" type of presents, from driving fast to floating through the air.
Take to the sky in a hot air balloon and see the world from a different perspective at 3,000 feet (€400 for two people). The slightly less peaceful alternative is to jump out of a perfectly good plane - you can do parachute jumps either in tandem or solo (€320).
Go even higher than that with particularly out-of-this-world present: have a star named after someone. Your recipient has your chosen star name registered and copyrighted in A Personal Guide to the Universe, a listing of all new star names and their telescopic co-ordinates. The package also includes lots of otherworldly goodies such as astronomical star charts, maps of the night sky and books including guides to the galaxies (€125).
Coming back down to earth, if someone you know would love to be a pop star, get them a two-hour recording session in an professional studio, assisted by a producer who will help them select the right backing track for their voice. (€350). www.topgifts.ie.
STARTING OVER The first cob house built in Ireland for about 400 years has been destroyed by arson. The eco-house - featured in this magazine in August - was uninsurable and now supporters are fundraising to help Rob and Emma Hopkins of The Hollies Centre for Practical Sustainability, Co Cork. Tonight sees the ECO Christmas Party at Airfield Trust in Dundrum (for children's activities, music, dancing and organic wine). Tickets cost €10 from Cultivate (01-6746396)
/Dublin Food Co-op and proceeds go to Friends of the Hollies. Future fundraisers: foth@eircom.net. Donations: www.shopireland.net/hollies/index.html - Sarah Marriott
SHOW TIME We came across Nikki Henderson and Avril Crampton as they were decorating the Westin Hotel in Dublin with a flourish. Display artists both, they work together, although Nikki is based in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny and Avril in Leopardstown, Co Dublin. They do home interiors as well as corporate jobs, and not just for Christmas! Indeed, weddings are a speciality. Contact Avril on 087-2618198 and Nikki on 056-7754974. - Patsey Murphy