Dressing up in the gallery

COUTURIER Pat Crowley's lasts fashion show was all of three years ago, so this year she decided to come back to the catwalk with…

COUTURIER Pat Crowley's lasts fashion show was all of three years ago, so this year she decided to come back to the catwalk with a bit, of a splash.

"Usually I have quite a small show in my salon, but this year I took over the RHA gallery so I could invite more people," says Pat, who remained remarkably calm amid the hectic pre show hustle and bustle. Her new autumn collection has already had one outing - at her Park Avenue showrooms in New York. Several of the younger set turned out for the show (much to Pat's delight) including Sabrina Smith, daughter of Lady Antonia Beckwith, Alice Madden and Fiona Naughton, who came with her mother Carmel. Also spotted in the very stylish audience were Eileen, Countess Mountcharles, Ashley Brown, Robin O'Reilly, and Iris Kellet.

There were very few men, however. ("I think most are a bit terrified by an evening like this," said Pat, though her husband Conor Crowley was there - as was their accountant son Vernon who, according to mum, would be much happier if he was a gardener.