IF ever there was a way of ensuring an exhibition could be considered fashionable, it would be by involving a member of Ireland's fashion pack. No wonder, then, that artist Clea Van Der Grijn invited John Rocha to say a few words at the opening night party for her new show at Norman Hewson's Tosca restaurant last Tuesday.
This wasn't the first time they have been associated. Ms Van Der Grijn who turned up on Tuesday in the skimpiest of red, stretch dresses and a long, blonde wig - was closely involved in one of Mr Rocha's own catwalk shows in Paris last year; she designed the invitations and hand painted some of the clothes.
Should her services be called upon again, she won't have to travel so far next time because word comes this week that Ireland's best known designer has decided to move his shows back to London again. After winning the title of British Designer of the Year in autumn 1993, a year later John Rocha moved his womenswear show to Paris. But after only three seasons in the French capital, he has changed his mind and will be showing the new autumn/winter collect ion in London at the end of this month.
"I believe the time is now right," comments Mr Rocha about his change of heart; like British designer Katherine Hamnett, who last season returned home after many years of showing in Milan, he feels the spirit of London best suits his work. Nonetheless, Paris is where he will continue to unveil his menswear collections, if only because there is no English equivalent.