Hemlines

Some tickets may still be available for tomorrow night's fashion show in aid of CARI - Children at Risk in Ireland - at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin. Called Irish Design Shining Through, the event at 8 p.m. will feature evening wear from the Kilkenny Shop's collection including such names as Ciaran Sweeney, Elaine Curtis, Allicano, John Rocha, jeweller Vivien Walsh and accessory designer Orla Kiely. Tickets cost £12.50 and further information is available from either CARI (tel 01 8308529) or the Kilkenny Shop (01 6777066).

English fashion designer Paul Smith will be in Dublin on Thursday, giving a lecture entitled Observations as part of this year's Design Week (awards for which are being presented this evening, by the way). It seems the talk will be "a visual essay and discussion on his unique observation and perspective on everyday life and how it influences his business world". Tickets for the lecture - 6.30 p.m. at Vicar Street - cost £10 each (£5 for students) and are available from Ticketmaster (tel 01 6097788).

Tiaras are the theme of this year's Brown Thomas Angel Ball being held on Friday, November 27th at the Riverview in Dublin. Now in its third year and without question a major social event for everyone connected with the fashion business in Ireland, the ball raises funds for Angels Quest, helping those who care for the disabled. Since tiaras have now become so popular, guests are being encouraged to wear this accessory on the night and whoever has the most impressive example on their head will be presented with a £2,000 voucher for Brown Thomas. Tickets (and further information) from Angels Quest, tel 01 6056601.