Hemlines

If you have smart clothes - in good condition - that need a new home, why not take them around to newly-opened Change Of A Dress, a swap shop specialising in fashion's finest labels? Run by Frances Connell, the outlet at 144 Baggot Street, Dublin has been in business for a fortnight and carries names such as Ghost (a big consignment due in this week), Versace, Montana and Yves Saint Laurent. Connell is looking for more stock, both mens- and womenswear and will pay good prices for the right items. Whether you are interested in buying or selling, Frances can be contacted at 01-6787175. a la Liz Taylor in Cleopatra - never altered much thereafter, which is one of the hallmarks of true stardom. Impeccably produced, the Stars series is published by Assouline, priced £12.95 each in the UK.

WE were recently given a guided tour around the newly refurbished, improved-look Penneys of Dublin's O'Connell Street and noted that some critical comments passed on this page during the summer had been duly noted. In particular, the rather nasty (and smelly) communal changing rooms on the ground floor have been replaced by a dozen individual, air-conditioned cubicles. The other major alteration on this floor is the arrival of a large lingerie section called Secret Possession. This proved not so secret thanks to Penneys's computerised stock system; the week of our visit, some 66 units of bright red underwear had been sold. Which among you were responsible, we want to know?

Having closed her eponymous shop in Blackrock earlier this autumn, Jackie Lavin now re-emerges as the force behind Life's a Peach, a line of vitamin and nutritional supplements for women. Designed for her by nutritionist Dr Peter Berry-Ottaway, the range comprises five different lines covering such areas as stress and PMT relief. The products were launched in London in 1997 and are now stocked by Harrods and Selfridge's, the former planning to feature Life's a Peach in its spring 1999 catalogue. Manufactured in Ireland and now available at pharmacies throughout the country, each Life's a Peach pack costs £6.95.

Teen magazine Sugar and Miners make-up have teamed up to visit the St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre next Saturday when they will be looking for the Face of '98. Aspiring models should turn up after 10 a.m. at the centre where, in addition to talent scouts from Select model agency, there will be pop videos, giveaways and make-overs. The day's winner will join British regional finalists in the Sugar Miners Face of 1998 model competition; the girl given that title will also be awarded a trip to Los Angeles, £500 spending money and the opportunity to be represented by Select.