Louise Kennedy, 34, from Co Wicklow, has a degree in history and politics as well as veterinary science and underwent a mandatory English proficiency test in Australia in order to seek permanent residency there.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

Catch up on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com this morning.

Louise Kennedy, 34, from Co Wicklow, has a degree in history and politics as well as veterinary science and underwent a mandatory English proficiency test in Australia in order to seek permanent residency there.

Ciara McDonnell meets the Irish designers making waves on the sartorial world stage

Sugar is my biggest enemy.

It’s the hot colour for spring/summer 2015 but far from being too ‘girlie’ it can pack a powerful punch, says Tanya Sweeney.

Did you know sleeping on silk has all kinds of benefits that 50 Shades never even thought of, says Esther McCarthy.

RTÉ broadcaster Tom McGurk and his wife, PR guru Caroline Kennedy, want to prevent a building firm’s residential development on a former hospital site near their home in Dublin 4.

WITH the recent focus on designers such as JW Anderson, Simone Rocha, Natalie B Coleman and Danielle Romeril, one could be forgiven for assuming that their success is somehow unprecedented in the history of Irish design.

Age: 53

Say yes to the dress with our aisle style edit, says Annmarie O’Connor.

Less is always more with luxe minimalism.

For their historic state visit to London, President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina have both shown considerable sartorial flair.

It’s official. Amy and Brian really are our Kate and Wills.

Spring starts early in the beauty world and with it comes gorgeous new makeup launches in time for Valentine’s Day.

AFTER a year of property tax penury, austerity anxiety and constrained consumer spending, we are all badly in need of some life-affirming glamour and, dare we even say it (now that the Troika is departing), some unapologetic fun.

LOUISE Kennedy’s clothes are never off the fashion pages, but it’s difficult to believe she’s been designing for 30 years.

Louise Kennedy’s clothes are never off the fashion pages, but it’s difficult to believe she’s been designing for 30 years.

Practical mixes with beautiful this week as Esther N McCarthy runs in tune with the seasons and starts getting organised for autumn’s embrace.

EUROPEAN catwalks aren’t the only places to see new fashion this month. Brown Thomas Dublin’s Create initiative returns with a pop-up installation featuring 13 esteemed and emerging Irish designers of fashion, accessories, millinery, graphic print and textile design.

Fashion is 80% about running a business and 20% about the design.

My earliest memory is flicking through my mum’s Hello magazines.

Dublin-based designer Louise Kennedy, whose customers include singer Beyoncé and actress Meryl Streep, saw profits at her design firm almost double to €313,116 in 2011.

Fashion designer Don O’Neill says he is more than twice blessed: A career to die for, love of partner, family, and friends, a fulfilling and often hectic work and social life in New York, and the chance to come home a few times a year to his native Ballyheigue, Co Kerry.

Bring the sunshine with this season’s hottest hue!

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

Sabina Higgins has marked her first day as Ireland’s First Lady by supporting the local fashion industry.

SATURDAY

THE love and sex lives of some Aer Lingus workers at Dublin Airport were almost a daily source of gossip and confidential social interplay, a judge heard yesterday.

NOT quite London’s Palladium, but Dublin’s brand new National Convention Centre came pretty close last night as it hosted an Irish-style Royal Variety Performance to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will visit the country's flagship horse breeding centre today as she continues her four-day Irish tour.

* Celebrated Irish designer Louise Kennedy has launched her inaugural bespoke bridal collection, now available exclusively at her Merrion Square boutique (01 662 0056; www.louisekennedy.com).

FASHION designer Heidi Higgins certainly proved a good advertisement for her own work.

IT was the day everyone was waiting for in Galway yesterday as the female of the species got the chance to strut their stuff for Ladies Day.

ONE of the main backers of high-profile fashion designer Deborah Veale has gone into liquidation, with the firm believed to owe creditors up to €1 million.

TRALEE lady Carol Kennelly blew away the storm clouds over Galway when her dazzling outfit scooped the crown every woman covets, Best Dressed Lady.

ANDREA ROCHE swept to victory last night as the Most Stylish Woman at the Peter Mark VIP Style awards.

IT WAS the sort of day when timid souls might have reached for the wellies, but that was certainly not the case for the brave women who turned out in style for Ladies Day at Listowel races.

IT’S being hailed as one of the country’s largest ever fashion extravaganzas and judging by the level of interest, it just might live up to the billing.

THE historic meeting of President Mary McAleese and Queen Elizabeth II in the North yesterday could clear the way for an unprecedented State visit, Mrs McAleese said last night.