SOCCER finals and rock festivals, we can understand attracting this level of interest but a fashion show? For the past few weeks, there has been a steadily growing fever around the country comparable to some insidious flu virus.
Once word spread that no seats were left for Saturday night's show, a kind of rampaging delirium set in. This office in\ common with any organisation having even the most remote association with the event, was regularly telephoned with requests for tickets. Sums of money vastly exceeding what had originally been paid were now offered. Those who had secured a place became objects of deepest envy.
It's not as if fashion shows usually draw this much attention, but then not all shows here include Ireland's finest designers, their clothes worn by some of the most famous models in the world. And that's why Saturday night's show became such a must see occasion it was a once only event nobody wanted to miss.
As if to underline the exceptional nature of the night, there were no hitches. True, Kate Moss was unable to attend but her place was taken by the equally famous Karen Mulder. The visiting models did all that they were expected to do here dinner with Bono and Ali Hewson on Friday night, and shopping as usual in jeweller John Farrington's emporium on Saturday.
That's the customary pattern established on previous visits. The difference this time was that they shared a few hours with several thousand paying members of the audience, all of whom looked as though they'd gone to just as much trouble over their appearance as any pampered supermodel.
In fact, the fashion show began hours before the official event, as the first guests arrived for a champagne reception in the Point it became clear that the dress code did not allow for understatement. The party was presided over by Paul Kelly and Deirdre Kelly (she in a pale blue embroidered dress by English Eccentrics) and Galen and Hilary Weston (she in a black beaded ensemble by Armani) who'd flown in specially for the night. While Dublin society congregated here, downstairs an crew of special guests and celebrities was being assembled.
Aside from such expected participants as ex Take That member Robbie Williams, comedian Dawn French (the one Pat Kenny will regret telling he'd pay £10,000 to stay in bed), singer Lisa Stansfield and Damon Hill, there were additional guests including former editor of the Sunday Times Andrew Neill, Oasis member Liam Gallagher and Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood all of whom had the photographers rushing forward. Normally besieged by camera wielders on these occasions, the likes of Bono and Neil Jordan were practically ignored on Saturday.
There were fresh photo opportunities to be snatched as the fashion set moved on to the post show party in John Reynold's Chocolate Bar which had been specially decorated for the night. Outside there were crash barriers, gardai, lines of fans and a couple of security men making sure that only those in possession of the required pink plastic wristband secured admission.
Once across the threshold, it became clear that even VIPs sometimes have to accept a two tier system. While the main bar downstairs was open to all party guests, accessibility to the mezzanine level was reserved to the supermodels and their friends given that vintage champagne was being served upstairs, it's understandable that only a limited number could be admitted. Still, the limitations seemed pretty flexible because soon enough even the most exclusive section of the Chocolate Bar had become unbearable full. Coming through called Lenny Henry as he helped yet another waitress carry her laden tray across the room.
A decision was taken to move elsewhere and, as expected, the models began to depart for the nightclub across town owned by U2. It was now 2 a.m. Are you coming on to Kitchen?" inquired Naomi Campbell. However, in time honoured fashion, this reporter made his excuses and left.