Holiday humour makes its seasonal cameo, says Annmarie O'Connor

Just weeks after giving birth to her fourth child, Joanne Hynes launched her new line for Dunnes Stores. Annmarie O’Connor meets the unstoppable designer.

It’s one of the top 50 fashion colleges in the world — and now LSAD is launching an ambitious programme to mentor new designers, writes Lorraine Courtney.

As eBay and Done Deal grab a greater share of the second hand market, charity shops are upping their game and reminding customers that donated items are sold for good causes, not just for profit, reports Liz Dunphy.

Irish movie-lovers will be rooting for Cartoon Saloon tomorrow evening when the Kilkenny-based animation studio takes on the giants of Hollywood at the 87th Academy Awards ceremony with its feature film, Song of the Sea.

The 162-year-old history of Limerick School of Art and Design was celebrated at the weekend when leading alumni returned to recognise the contribution of their old alma mater to the Irish world of art and design.

Age: 30

Time to give your wardrobe a workout.

WHAT’S your favourite Christmas tradition? From staying up to watch The Late Late Toy Show to the Finnish custom of visiting the graveyard on Christmas Eve, the history of festive traditions is as long as Santa’s present list. We asked celebrities for their favourites.

Irish artist Michael Gurhy documents his evolving relationship with the social networking site.

SET TO run across three top international cities showcasing some of Ireland’s hottest designers, the Arthur Cox Irish Fashion Showcase 2013 kicks off on Sep 12 in London.

With celebrity fans including Saoirse Ronan and Patricia Field, Annmarie O’Connor says Dublin illustrator Holly Shortall is the one to watch!

Statement jewellery with a twist.

Leading Irish designer Joanne Hynes was among the top designers who showcased their work at a unique gathering of up-and-coming designers in Limerick last night.

FASHION is fascinated with the past.

INSPIRATION

Annmarie O’Connor is inspired by crystalline snow queens, ice wind goddesses and pitch black nights for our Christmas fashion shoot. Think glittering festive baubles, champagne fizz and iridescent lights

Broadcaster Claire Byrne at the Lancome Christmas celebrations and spring-summer collection preview at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.

Set fire to those fascinators — Ladies Day fashion needs a complete overhaul, says Annmarie O’Connor. Here’s her guide to style at the races.

Get shirty with this season’s super chic style staple.

Make like a modern oligarch with fashion’s most regal accessory — the embellished collar

IF our future depends on exports, then designers are trying to get in on the act.

SITTING front row at a Joanne Hynes fashion show should require seat belts — to counter the creative whiplash on the runway.

THE best was certainly kept for last as London Fashion Week closed its womenswear schedule with a kaleidoscope of colour.

IT was a classic case of boy meets girl at London Fashion Week yesterday as designers juxtaposed the tough and tender with surprising results.

Mary Robinson’s presence in Africa this week focused world attention on the famine in Somalia, demonstrating the crucial role the famous play in highlighting the plight of the poor and dispossessed, says Georgina O’Halloran.

THERE has been an explosion in demand among Irish woman for fascinators and hats after the royal wedding made headwear one of the hottest fashion trends of the year.

I am wearing Topshop jeans, a top from De la Punk Clothing — available at Dublin’s Twisted Pepper flea market, a faux fur jacket from Boohoo.com and Asos.com biker heels.

* Dublin’s Loulerie jewellery boutique is now stocking Irish designer, Lisa Dora.

* Irish designer Sinead Doyle launches her fifth collection Paradise Lost.

Irish designers have joined with Oxfam Ireland to launch a limited edition range of T-shirts, which are to go on sale in A wear shops throughout the country.

THE tough times have started to hit the Irish glitterati with stars being forced to recycle dresses and shop at TK Maxx, and failing to get flowers from their boyfriend on St Valentine’s Day.

SKIRT lengths are coming down next year — a fashion trend that has always indicated tougher times ahead.

MORE than 200 young fashion designers are hoping to cut a dash in this year’s hotly contested Persil Irish Fashion Awards.