Clockwise from Top Left: Marc O’Neill, Carmel Brehany & Peter O’Brien; Sybil Mulcahy & Aisling O’Loughlin; Chara Nagle; Liz Greens; Danielle Farrelly & Sinead Lynch. Pix Kieran Harnett.

Pictured: Ruth Griffin & Lorraine Dwyer; Lorraine Keane; Sandra Byrne. Pix Kieran Harnett

The Aviva stadium was the place to be on Wednesday night for all discerning fashionistas as Marks & Spencer launched its new fashion collections for AW 2010.

Always one of the hottest tickets and best attended shows in town, the surrounds of the 1872 Area in the Lansdowne Rd stadium were buzzing as invited guests enjoyed champers and the endless M&S nibbles in advance of the show.

The guest list read like a who’s who in fashion including TV personalities Karen Koster, Lorraine Keane, Sinead Desmon, Sybil Mulcahy and Sonya Lennon. Designers Joanne Hynes, Peter O Brien and Mark O’Neill were also lapping up the show as were fashion journos & stylist Cathy O Connor, Corinne Gaffey, Liz Greehily, Emer O’Reilly Hyland, Courtney Smith and RTE’s Sandra Byrne.

The catwalk show delivered a strong collection featuring key looks for the season ahead. Chunky knits, leather accents, statement prints and a mixture of texture and patterns created a layered modern look while a muted colour palette gave the key trends a chic modernity, reflecting a move toward a more sophisticated trend this season.

Highlights of the show included the Minimal look. Luxurious and stylish, the emphasis was on clean sculptured lines with skinny kick flares (€67) and full a-line skirts (€47.50) giving a sharp silhouette. The Autograph wool blend double breasted military coat (€135) was a show stealer along with the faux leather Limited Collection aviator jacket (€120). Menswear items were also incorporated into the show and followed the chunky knit and military trend that are a fashion must for every discerning male. Menswear accessories were abundant with the snood (€20), Autograph holdall (€67) and plain toe Gibson shoes (€80) stealing the show.

Aengus Fanning & Lorraine Keane; Emily O' Donnell; Tara Smith & Paula Gilmer. Pix Brian McEvoy

A host of fashion lovers descended on lifestyle emporium, Seagreen in Monkstown, as store owner Sarah Gill and Seagreen muse Lorraine Keane welcomed guests to an exclusive preview morning of the new Autumn Winter Collections.

Guest enjoyed an array of tasty treats while models showed off the very latest fashions from designers including Issa, Alice by Alice Temperley, Surface to Air as well as Twenty Eight Twelve. Among those taking in the show were socialite Emily O Donnell, PR Astrid Brennan and Pamela Hughes.

Pictured: Lorraine Keane; Celia Holman Lee; Lorraine Larmer.

Vogue finally gave Ireland its stamp of approval last week with Dublin joining the ranks of Paris, Milan and New York, getting it’s very own Fashion Night Out in Dundrum. Harvey Nichols hosted the Dublin branch of the International event, which runs in 16 different countries. Anna Wintour (American Vogue editor) created Fashion Night Out last year in order to inject some fun back into shopping.

There was plenty to celebrate on the night as Harvey Nic’s also hosting their autumn/winter fashion show on the night as well as their fifth birthday celebrations. A string of our style stars stepped out to enjoy the occasion, including fashion man Brendan Courtney, model agent Celia Holman Lee, and former Xpose star Lorraine Keane.

The show was a blaze of colour set against a colourful installation created by rock star-turned artist Helen Steele and graffiti art by Maser. Guests had the opportunity to see a number of signature creations specially flown in for the occasion from top designers including a stunning sheer navy dress with feathered hem, modelled by top Irish model Laragh McCann, by fashion’s hottest new arrival Hakaan Ildirim from Turkey.

Other stylish guests spotted taking in the show include Dirty Epics singer SJ Wai O’Flynn, Louise Loughman and Sarah Jane Maguire.

The Mansion House on Dublin’s Kildare Street was the place to be on Saturday night as a host of familiar faces from the small screen took to the red carpet for the Walkers TV NOW awards.

The team of TV3′s Xpose were as glamorous as ever, in particular Karen Koster stood out wearing a beautiful white Grecian style dress. Glenda Gilson, who was hosting the awards alongside Michael O’Doherty, looked stunning in a creation from Coco Boutique.

Other stand out looks on the night included glamorous Gaelgoirs Grainne and Sile Seoige, Brendan Courtney, Mary Kennedy, Kathryn Thomas, Sonya Lennon (her fab dress was designed for the night by the fabulous Tim Ryan, available through Elaine Curtis in Carlow), Lorraine Keane, Celia Holman-Lee, Anne Doyle (who’s speech on the night has become one of the highlights of the yearly ceremony!) and of course we have to mention Jedward. Stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick wore a navy & white silk dress with vintage lace by Marion Murphy Cooney while model Pippa O’Connor wore a dress from Soho boutique in Naas.

See pictures below…love or loathe any? Tell us what you think.

Racing season is well upon us and with just a week to go to this years Punchestown Racing Festival we thought some winning style tips could come in handy (especially as the prize fund this year is an impressive €20,000!). Who better to give us some pointers than a lady who is a regular among the most stylish at the races, Director of Fashion and Beauty at Arnotts, Deirdre Devaney.

So if you’re hoping to pip everyone at the post in the style stakes, here’s Deirdre’s advice:

#1: The most important criteria is style. A woman must look confident and comfortable in what she’s wearing and understanding the cut and colour that works for you is key.

#2: Originality is important, attention to fashion trends and, of course, the outfit must also be appropriate to the event.

#3: It’s not about cost, style is about how you put an outfit together and carry it off.

#4: Accessories can make the outfit, it is important in choosing an accessory that will match your outfit on the day. Don’t wear a hat just because it’s the races. You can always try other things like head bands, fascinators and flowers in your hair.

#5: Elegant touches; skip the oversize hefty bag and opt for a clutch – it’s just that little bit more elegant.

#6: Natural beauty; don’t go overboard with makeup. Bear in mind that make-up is an accessory too. Simple, basic grooming adds the finishing touch to a look and whatever you do, don’t overdo the fake tan! See tips on how to take catwalk makeup looks into everyday life.

#7: Serious wedge; Wedge heels are always a good idea because your heels won’t sink into the grass.

#8: Predicting the weather can be as tricky as backing a winner – the clever racing girl knows that a chic cover up is very important.

The search for the “Arnotts Best Dressed lady” will be held over the first four days of the Punchestown Festival where the judges (including Lorraine Keane, Andrea Roche, Deborah Veale and Bairbre Power) will be tasked with finding a lady with ‘winning style’. The prize fund this year is an impressive €20,000. The overall winner will walk away with a €10,000 fashion voucher for Arnotts as well as a private suite for an evening Punchestown meeting in May with a champagne reception…so it’s definitely worth putting your best foot forward!

This Sunday, Norma Smurfit will host Ireland’s biggest ‘Spring Clean for Charity Sale’ in the Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin. With fabulous fashions, accessories, toys, trinkets, gadgets and games, designer bags, toys, tea-sets and much more, it’s certain to be a treasure trove for all bargain hunters.

A number of well known faces from Irish television, radio and business will be taking part hoping to raise as much money as possible for the chosen charities, including Bill Cullen, Jackie Lavin, Lorraine Keane, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Mary Kennedy, Celia Holman Lee and many more. With over 100 stalls containing goods donated by supporters around the country, all proceeds from the day will go towards the Society for the St Vincent De Paul and Norma’s charity, the Irish Famine Commemoration Fund.

Open from 11am – 5pm on Sunday March 7th in the Serpentine Hall, RDS. Admission is €2. For further information or to donate towards the event, please contact Anne Dargan at (01) 2103860.

The world exclusive Donegal Tweed Jimmy Choo boots arrived in Brown Thomas this week to much excitement and fanfare. The limited edition boots were launched at The Shoe Rooms at BT’s Dublin by a very dapper Keith Duffy and Lorraine Keane who looked stunning in a cobalt blue mini-dress and her very own Donegal Tweed Jimmy Choo’s.

There were two styles of boot unveiled, the Breidin (€825) – a riding style boot, and the Twillen (€795) – a bootie with blue Donegal Tweed lining, the top of which can be turned down to achieve the very much on-trend slouchy look.

I have to be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect although given the reputation of both brands I guessed it would have to be something pretty special. I wasn’t disappointed, the boots are stunning and it’s great to see fantastic Irish brands & materials being used in fabulous fashion.

Best of all 25% of the monies raised from the sales of these limited edition boots will go directly to Irish Autism Action…guilt-free shopping if ever an excuse was needed!

Win some super-sassy accessories from geminilondon.com and misschiclondon.com, exclusively on HelpMyStyle.ie
The lovely people at fab accessories sites Gemini London and Miss Chic London have given us a stunning statement piece of jewellery to give away each week for the next four weeks! Each Friday the lucky winner from the entries that week will be announced. To kick off the competition this week we have some glam Gemini Jewellery to give away.

HOW TO ENTER: Answer the following question – tell us the name of one celebrity that has been snapped or papped wearing Gemini jewellery? Hint..the answers can be found on geminilondon.com.

Send your answers to darren@helpmystyle.ie or post them as a reply to this blog entry below. The winner will be announced on the blog this Friday.

THE RULES: You must have an Irish postal address (north or south); there is no cash alternative. We respect your privacy and will never share your details with any third party.

The weather might be dull this summer but your look doesn’t have to be. If you want to glam up your look with some statement jewellery that won’t break the bank then Gemini London is just the ticket (and perfect if you want to glam up a simple dress for the races)!

This Italian designed jewellery is made with Swarovski crystals and cubic zirconia. So far they’ve been a big hit with many Irish celebs including actress Sarah Bolger (In America and Spiderwick Chronicles), Lorraine Keane and American Idol’s Carly Smithson.

The collection features multi-coloured statement neckpieces, chandelier earrings, band rings, firefly brooches and elaborate hair pieces.

My personal favourite is the serpent bangle which comes in a selection of colours from demure gold / silver to brightly coloured jewels. It’s such a stunning, elegant piece which is sure to draw many admirers and starting at just €48 you can’t go far wrong.

Prices range from €37 for earrings, cluster rings from €28 and large crystal encrusted necklace sets from €175.
They also have a bridal collection with everything from stunning pendants to intricate tiaras from just €27.

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Check out Gemini for more info, stockists or to buy online.