On the Rocks

FASHIONIt's tough out there and maybe that's why the catwalks are showing a harder edge with grunge, leather, dark colours and just a little sparkle.

Remember the movie Flash Danceand the remarkable footwork of the sassy welder-wannabe-dancer Jennifer Beals? She springs to mind looking at these photographs, which were fashioned by stylist by Aisling Farinella and photographer Rich Gilligan. When the pair took part in an exhibition sponsored by Absolut Vodka during the Dublin Absolut Fringe Festival last September, they were challenged by the drinks company to create a rock-inspired fashion shoot that would match their special Rock Edition bottle (see overleaf). In documentary style, here's what they came up with, on a dark and rainy day in November.

“Absolut is renowned for design creativity,” says Richard Brickley, the company’s marketing manger in Ireland. “The Rock Edition bottle continues a long-standing connection between Absolut and the fashion world.”

Last year, you might remember, you could buy a bottle of Absolut in a red-sequinned dress; this year, the gift bottle is cloaked in black leather punctuated with metal studs – a sign of the time.

StockistsBrown Thomas, Grafton Street, Dublin; Circus, Powerscourt Centre, Dublin; Urban Outfitters, Cecilia Street, Temple Bar, Dublin; Havana, Donnybrook Road, Dublin; Rebecca Davis, www.rebeccadavis.com; Smock, Drury Street, Dublin; Topshop, St Stephen's Green, Dublin. 

Photography:Rich Gilligan assisted by Johnny Savage

Stylist:Aisling Farinella assisted by Niamh Kearns

Make-up:Christine Lucignano

Model:Sinead Garcia