WALKING into the Jervis Street Centre is a bit like being beamed down into Birmingham there seems to be nothing but the predictable line up of British chainstores. (This provoked the question that if we're such fabulous Europeans, why don't any of the really stylish Italian or better still French chain stores set up here?) Adding to the sense of geographical confusion, one of the Debenhams people at the party was wearing a red poppy on his lapel which we noticed just as a chirpy assistant admitted she really didn't mind being relocated from the "mainland" - it's enough to set your teeth on edge.

One shop in the centre which isn't quite what it seems is BHS - it had a separate and very pleasant opening party this week presided over by Athlone man Mark Heaton, whose family firm owns the franchise for the chain, so it is one of the few Irish owned stores.

The most stylish person there was Ireland's most dedicated followers of fashion, super stylist Sonia Lennon, who arrived dressed head to toe in a leopard print 70s inspired rig out which included an amazing vintage coat. She was there with her gal pal Allanah Gallagher the fashion correspondent on RTE's Twelve to One, who was also in leopard print.