Picture black lace, pleated trousers slit to the hips, fuchsia velvet gowns and pink plaid skirts. It's fashion with a capital F. Silk, tulle, satin, serge, organzaand taffeta. Cotton is only in the ha'penny place.
All week, the talk in Dublin is of fashion - in the Mansion House, at City Hall, in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, in Temple Bar. It is style all the way. There are clothes to die for and dresses to dream about.
In City Hall, it is a night of celebration for La Famiglia Macari, who are here to cheer on one of their own. There's a distinctly Latin feel to the night. All are proud of Virginia Macari, who is about to present, with her partner, Wexford man Anthony Brennan, their designs for autumn/winter 2001/2002. Her brother, restaurateur Fiore Macari, who has flown in from Rome to attend, is their sponsor. "I'm the godfather of style," he jokes.
Also the Macari mother, Clara Macari, joins her sister, Christine Coletti, for the occasion. They all hail originally from Casavierli, in the province of Frosinone, south of Rome, according to Maria-Olivia Fontana, the designer's cousin. Virginia's younger sister, Sonya Macari, is busy too, welcoming guests to the unveiling of the show, entitled "Anastasia's Wonderland".
Domenica Pesce chats to actor Michelle Costello, of Bull Island fame. Maria Fusco is yet another relative from the same spot in Italy. "Respect me, respect the family," she says, in a deep voice, laughing.
Looking like Posh Spice with up-style hairdos, the twins Clare and Laura Johnston (10) are ready to be impressed. Their mother, Patricia Colfer, is introducing them to the world of fashion. Oakes designers Niall Tyrrell and Donald Brennan are here too. Their own collection will be unveiled at the upcoming Angel Quest Ball in the RDS on Friday, September 21st.
Betty Hegarty, from Howth and her daughter-in-law, Vaari Claffey, are among those in attendance. Louise Price, a make-up artist in Brown Thomas, says the gowns are "fantastic". Having worn one of their creations to her 21st earlier this year, she has to have another one. "I want that dress," she says. We understand.