Even the bouncer has style. Steven Tuthill, from Dun Laoghaire, who's on loan from Ri Ra's nightclub, is ready to check all 500 invitees to the party. It's the launch of designer Cuan Hanly's first shop. Tonight, apart from beer-barrels and one obscene-looking amaryllis, there are only bare walls and empty corners in this new space, and it fills to capacity with fashion and party animals in double-quick time. Located on Pudding Row in Temple Bar, it's a den of iniquity - but in the best possible sense - tonight. And there's food too, from Domini Kemp's new outlet, itsabagel, in the Epicurean Food Hall across the river. Barry Jackson, a builder with an iron handshake (it's from holding the shovel, he jokes) is watching out for his wife, Grainne Madden to arrive. Nicholas Mac Innes, a fashion photographer, who is just back from Paris, has come along. Ditto for baritone Sam McElroy, who is just back from Monte Carlo singing in the Manon Lessaut opera.
Designer Marc O'Neill chats to his mother, artist Gay O'Neill. Liz O'Donnell TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, is here with colleague Clara Coogan and Cuan's sister, Sinead Hanly.