Clothes lines

Craic meets fashion: A free event combining fashion, music, art, food, conversation "and general good craic" on the western edge of Europe is promised for next weekend, May 18th-20th, on Inis Oir. Fashion designers Sorcha O'Raghallaigh (she of Lady Gaga fame) and Raffaele Ascione, who studied in Limerick and is now, like O'Raghallaigh, based in London, will be taking part in a panel discussion with Re-Dress co-founder Rosie O'Reilly.

Other participants include a group of Icelandic artists, musicians and singers. “Drop Everything” is curated by Galwegian Mary Nally, who has produced various pop-up artistic events in New York, Berlin, London, Reykjavik, Galway and Dublin. See dropeverything.net

Boutique of the week

Louise Merrick opened Kabuki over three years ago in Carrick-on-Shannon, creating yet another haven for fashion-conscious females searching for something special for a wedding, the races or just a night out.

From Kildare, Merrick fell in love with Carrick and its surroundings on childhood boating trips and now lives locally. Her sharp, stylish eye shows in the mix of brands she houses from Dina Bar-El's glamorous, floor-sweeping maxis and cocktail dresses from LA to the pragmatic and good-looking daywear by Gustav, favoured by Danish royals.

Italian labels such as Transit and She-So provide a casual edge. Accessories are mostly from Ireland – such as Pat Whyte's affordable jewellery with hats from Philip Treacy as well as head pieces by Jennifer Rynn from Mohill. Star buy at the moment: a fitted, tailored wool dress in burnt orange with puff sleeves and exposed rear zip €139. Kabuki, Unit 6, The Courtyard, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim. Tel: 071-9616505

Back on the boards

Making a welcome return to the catwalk after an absence of four years is London-based Irish designer Helen Cody, who will join Louise Kennedy, Peter O’Brien, John Rocha and others at a very special fashion show in the Convention Centre on May 25th. The show is a fundraiser for Crumlin Children’s Hospital, fronted by Mia, the 11-year-old Chinese girl who has been receiving treatment there for severe burns for the past 10 years. Cody’s collection promises to be a line-up of frothy, feminine dresses made in Victorian and French handmade vintage lace and tulle, the soft fabrics and colours that have always been her trademark. Like the other eight designers, she will be showing six pieces from her current collection – four of her own and two interpretations of Mia’s designs. “Delicious dresses for grown-up little girls” is what she promises. For further information and tickets, see thankyoucrumlin.ie