Dressed to thrill

ON THE TOWN: A fashion show under Connolly Station in The Vaults set the mood for Hallowe'en

ON THE TOWN: A fashion show under Connolly Station in The Vaults set the mood for Hallowe'en. The event featured wild orange hair, black vampire-style dresses, slashed sleeves and ripped tops.

But there were also many elegant designs at the event where 10 young designers gathered to show their work and compete for the Suzuki Jimny Young Designer Award.

Tim Ryan from Nenagh, one of the designers who took part, said his interest in knitwear began when he was growing up watching his mother, Maeve Ryan, knit school jumpers. His mother, as well as his sister, Patricia Flannery, his niece, Anne-Marie Flannery (8) and a friend from home, David Bourke, were all there to enjoy the show.

Cyane Kingston, winner of the 2002 Suzuki Jimny Young Designer Award who picked up a Suzuki four-wheel drive car as her prize, said her designs are available at her studio at 68 Dame Street in Dublin. Her work at the show was inspired by Japanese cartoons, she explained, citing artist Corban Walker, brother of her partner, Simon Walker, as the reason for her recent visit to Japan. She was there for the unveiling of Corban's latest installation, which is in the atrium of the new Mitsubishi Building in downtown Tokyo.

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Singer Maria Doyle Kennedy was one of the award judges, and fans may like to know she plays Whelan's in Dublin on Thursday, December 5th.

Designer Pauric Sweeney from Falcarra, Co Donegal, was another judge. Since he moved to London, Madonna has discovered his clothes, which are sold from his boutique in Hoxton.

Patricia O'Shea, wearing an outfit by designers Suki Stuart and Nicola McCutcheon, was there with her fiancé, Tom Rixton. The two will be off to Buenes Aires shortly to get married.

And the four members of Too Close, one of the city's newest bands, were there too. Barry Cosgrave), Eric McCarthy, Brian O'Connor and Michael Sammon are already signed up to appear in this year's panto, Aladdin, at the New Theatre, in Liberty Hall, which is being produced by TV3's dashing Alan Hughes.