THE BALFE BOOK Catriona Balfe, Ireland's most successful international model, features on the cover of a new book on fashion published in France by Hachette.
Called La Mode, recontée à ceux qui la portent (Fashion, told by those who wear it), it is a series of essays and interviews by Marie-Pierre Lannelongue, a leading style reporter with Elle magazine. The book argues that contemporary fashion is more a question of money and power than style and allure. It questions the origin of trends, and takes the reader behind the scenes of the big brand luxury houses, as well as high street brands. Chapters ask "Does Zara employ spies?" "Why Pay So Much?" "Will I be able to eat biscuits by Christian Dior some day?" "Is Fashion a pain in the head?" and so on. Pity it's not translated into English yet, but our fair Catriona appears in a black lace dress, black trilby and black knickers from Sonia Rykiel's autumn winter collection 2004.
ON THE RUN Anyone who travels with trainers knows how much space they can take up in luggage, despite acting as efficient containers. Reebok's latest Travel Trainer 11 is a tough, new foldable runner which can withstand general abuse and crushing. It has thick soles, strong grip and a drawstring toggle to keep it folded in place. It comes in both shoe and boot form in white/ navy, black, olive green, brown or purple and costs €90 from Reebok stockists. www.reebokstore.co.uk