Hemlines

Clever MAC cosmetics has come up with a great name for the company's line of summer products - Bronz-ploitation. This will be on show next Friday and Saturday at the MAC centre in Brown Thomas, Dublin, where customers will be able to see not just the make-up but also both male and female models wearing specially-designed Bronzploitation outfits and accessories and dancing to a New York-mix soundtrack. Throughout this week, the MAC team of make-up artists is offering complimentary one-toone bronze applications to customers who have booked an appointment at 01-6056666, ext. 1177.

Although the main show is not until tomorrow, Limerick School of Art & Design arranged for a selection of work to be seen in Dublin last week where an obvious star was Joann Hynes (above). Although she failed to win a Shannon Development award for the most commercial collection, the savvy student has actually been selling her clothes (part Jeremy Scott/part Martin Margiela) in Los Angeles and London for the past year. She hopes to secure an MA placement in the latter city's Central St Martin's College this autumn. Here's a name to watch.

AT last Tuesday's NCAD fashion show, the clear audience favourite among student designers was milliner Laura Cassidy, who won the Peter Mark Fashion Education Bursary worth £1,000. No doubt this will come in handy for Cassidy, who has secured a place to study for an MA at London's Royal College of Art. Looking at her work, it comes as no surprise to learn that this young designer has worked with Philip Treacy. Our preferred piece, however, owed little to his hats: it was an afro-mop made from lilac and blue nylon curls.

AS ardent shoppers, we don't need anyone to help us spend our money, but if you are one of those people who loathes even the idea of entering stores, then a new service called Simply Shopping may be of interest. The business offers to do practically everything, from sourcing items to wrapping and delivering gifts. Simply Shopping can also provide what is described as a "buying consultancy service" whereby customers are helped with advice on what to purchase, and in addition there is a calendar-reminder option so special dates need never be forgotten. For further information, contact 01-4937884.