PRIZE for the most unusual place to hold a fashion show goes to Deryn McKay, the ex model owner of the hugely popular Khan boutique in Dublin's Blackrock. This week she took over the Toyota car showrooms opposite the RDS to host a fashion show in aid of the Sue Ryder foundation, a charity which concentrates on helping the elderly.
The choice of venue might be explained by the fact that Deryn's boyfriend is car dealer Tom Murphy, who explained that a trip to the pre a porter shows in Paris with Deryn was a complete eyeopener. "The amount of money spent on fashion puts the whole car business in the shade," he said.
Designers Michael Mortell, Paul Costelloe and Lynn Mar turned out to lend their support to the evening as did a number of "Cheltenham widows", including PR woman Rhona Blake. Rhona's husband Charlie Murless, manager of Punchestown Racecourse, was at the horse fest, sharing in the excitement of Philip Myerscough and Peter Curling's win in the Guinness Arkle Challenge.
A huge Irish contingent was there to cheer on the winner, Ventana Canyon, including Ginnie Petersham, mother of Serena Stanhope, Mattie Ryan, Elaine Lawler and Valerie Cooper and her son Alan, who is racing manager for Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos.