Cool Spring

Spring is truly in the air when the darling buds of fashion begin to unfold on the catwalk. And so it began on Tuesday evening, with the newly dressed Powerscourt Townhouse Centre the arena for the Design Centre's "cool, crisp, inspired, modern, subtle, exquisite, contemporary, chic . . . " evening. Most of the designers showing were there, including Roisin Gartland, Miriam Mone, designer-to-the-President Lyn-Mar and - in particularly excited form - young Kilkenny designer Karen Hurley, who was showing her first collection for the Design Centre.

Hanging with the press, the champagne and the goody-bags from sponsor Wella was Ciaran Sweeney, who designs with Elaine Curtis, who he first met at The Late Late Fashion Awards. Just back from a holiday in Italy, he said there'd be no breaks for the forseeable future. "The focus now is to market and promote the collection", which he describes as "very fresh, in young turquoise, silver, tea rose and cornflower blues".

Thursday afternoon, too, saw fashionable outings, with the late Princess Diana's favoured designer, Amanda Wakeley, showing off her creations at Brown Thomas. Most eyes were of course on the clothes - though Brown Thomas's managing director, Paul Kelly, was getting the odd glance, having been recently voted one of Ireland's 100 sexiest men in Social and Personal magazine. Also there were Cindy Cafolla, Caroline Desmond, and Mary White of Lir Chocolates.