Seen but not heard

Celebrity-watchers turned out in droves on Thursday to witness actress and model Liz Hurley stroll up Grafton Street in a skimpy…

Celebrity-watchers turned out in droves on Thursday to witness actress and model Liz Hurley stroll up Grafton Street in a skimpy summer dress to the opening of the new Brown Thomas cosmetics hall. The pouting beauty must have cursed her luck when the heavens opened and poured down on her.

While she signed autographs and posed for pictures in the store, Liz wasn't in chatty form at the reception afterwards in the Merrion Hotel. She was happy to just stand around and, well, pout. And that's what they pay her to do as spokeswoman for cosmetics brand EstΘe Lauder. Paul Kelly of Brown Thomas got to spend "quality time" with Hurley, escorting her around the room to introduce her to some of the notable guests, who included the British ambassador, Sir Ivor Roberts, Norma Smurfit, Clodagh Kean, designer Louise Kennedy and Bill Simpson, whose design team is responsible for the cosmetics hall.