So, My Night at the French Ambassadors Residence
Her Excellency and I go way back.... you see, it all began on a work trip to Paris... it was a misty afternoon in January when....
Ok no, as much as I would love to continue that tale, that’s not even in the slightest bit true. I have never actually had the pleasure of meeting with Her Excellency Emmanuelle D’Achon, however I have, now, admired her from across a crowded room – her front room to be precise – as I stood, amidst the crème de la crème of Irish fashion, in the gorgeous, Georgian surroundings of what is her home, the 'Residence of the French Ambassador' on Ailesbury Road. Flanked by twin gates and large square granite pillars, it is the only detached house on the impressively affluent Dublin Street. Period features abounded with original door handles, luxurious fireplaces and incredibly high ceilings wowing the lucky guests. Hints of pure French decadence appeared throughout, even in the downstairs w/c where an oversized porcelain square sink, floral curtains and pretty wooden furniture meant you felt as though you were in a French country house – albeit a rather luxurious one.
Irish fashion media, designers and design lovers all joined me in this surreal experience and each and every one of us appreciated the 'weight' of the situation. You see, this was a very big ‘to-do’ for a number of reasons. The first being that it was the launch of the Hennessy Best Dressed Lady 2012 in association with the Design Centre, Powerscourt, the second being that the head judge for the event was being unveiled as none other than the equivalent of fashion journalistic deity, Godfrey Deeny and the final reason being that the Embassy don’t make a habit of hosting these kinds of soirees within the Residence itself, or indeed even allowing photographs to be taken within the grounds and so thus, it was a moment that everyone present that night knew was not only special, but was something we would savour and remember.
I managed to get a very precious twenty minutes with Godfrey Deeny, former editor of VOGUE Hommes, Paris Chief for WWD and European Editor of Fashion Wire Daily - an interview which needless to say, I was very excited about and the fruits of which you can read HERE
Following this, Aisling Kilduff of The Design Centre proceeded to provide us with an amazing salon style showcase from the current autumn winter collection at the Design Centre, including the most stunning of designs from Umit Kutluk, Catherine Deane, John McCormac, Caroline Kilkenny, John Rocha, Bella Marina, La Petite S*****, Sean Byrne, Claire O Connor, Synan O Mahony and Don O'Neill for Theia. Here is a little montage of shots I took myself however I will have proper catwalk shots to showcase this fashion show fully online before long!
Your Comments
If you were logged in you could add a comment to this article. If you are not yet a member why not join now...