The fashion extravaganza in Dublin's Temple Bar Music Centre, entitled Absolut Absolution, promised "fashion absolution". If it's true, it's certainly going to be an interesting crew at the pearly gates. All the bright young things of the fashion world were gathered together on Thursday night for a show that blended art, design, the circus and plain old-fashioned sex appeal. It was masterminded by Enda McGrattan, who also wowed the crowd as his alter-ego, Veda, singing a number by David Bowie. His makeup was by Searon McGrattan - a change for the woman who is in charge of Mary Banotti's face for the presidential campaign.
There were a few other surprises on the night, such as sculptor Laura Gannon's ethereal paper dresses modelled by film-maker Aine O'Connor and Charlotte Selka, John Rocha's assistant. Niall Sweeney was also double-jobbing on the night - he has recently been made artistic director of Arthouse (rumour has it he is going to paint all the floors a dusky pink) but was in charge of the Powderbubble show on the catwalk.
Powderbubble is the monthly club in the POD run by Niall and Tonie Walsh that was featured on RTE's funky new programme, @ Last TV during the week. Other designers in the show included Marc O'Neill, who was in Spain for the week; Ciara Walsh who has spent the past five years working with Donna Karan; Cyane Kingston, who off the catwalk dressed sculptor Corban Walker, and clothes from the Absolut Versace collection.
Mats Person, the MD of Absolut in Sweden, had flown over to see the show - if he likes what he sees he is thinking of introducing the concept worldwide. Meanwhile the sensation of the night was Linda Byrne, the last model on the catwalk, dressed by stylist Atlanta as a punk bride. Linda (20), who has been modelling for all of two months, was flown to Paris to be photographed by top photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino for the Viva agency during the week and the offers of work are already flying in. Rebecca Morgan who represents her, looked slightly amazed: "She's unlike anyone I've ever had on my books."