THE more youth oriented Design Centre held its fashion show in the very grand surroundings of the College of Physicians in Kildare Street. Twenty three designers strutted their stuff and the audience's overwhelmingly positive reaction showed that Irish design is going through a very vibrant phase.
As is usual at these events the audience was overwhelmingly female, though one male who braved the throng was man about town, bloodstock auctioneer Mick Nugent. Robin Power, who usually attends the Design Centre's shows, couldn't make it but his wife Michele Kavanagh did, as did Sharon Smurfit who's usual looked effortlessly stunning. She was there alongside financial whizz Angela Cavendish, the statuesque Cathy O'Reilly, Daphne Henderson and solicitor Beverly Turner, who was there to support her sister Jenny Turner, director of the Hotdot label.
There was a good deal of talk before the show about how Mary Gregory, who made her mass market debut with A Wear last week, would come up with a collection that fashion fans would feel happy paying two or three times more for. In the end she certainly succeeded with a very luxurious collection - even the lining of some of the dresses included hand painted silk.
Once the more formal catwalk business was over the party continued in Renards, though there was a rush for a late supper at Fitzers in Dawson Street.