Bono: Eccentric stylist wore our clothes
The rock star told the High Court they tolerated working with Lola Cashman because they were vulnerable and she was a talented stylist.
Bono, real name Paul Hewson, was giving evidence at an appeal hearing brought by Ms Cashman against a court order demanding she return their belongings.
The band had last year successfully sued for the recovery of Bono’s trademark Stetson hat, a pair of metal hooped earrings, a green sweatshirt and a pair of black trousers, which they said she took without permission.
Ms Cashman claims she was given the items, estimated to be worth €5,000 (£3,500), as gifts during U2’s Joshua Tree tour in 1987.
But yesterday, dressed in a chocolate brown suit, the star was back in the dock.
He said their former stylist was unprofessional for trying to sell memorabilia from the band and the court case was futile and embarrassing.
“We have tried to avoid this bizarre situation for many years,” he said.
“She likes this. We don’t. There isn’t much of a case here from our point of view. It’s our stuff, she has it, and a lot more beside. We want out stuff back. We want her to stop selling it.”
Bono said Ms Cashman joined the 150-strong entourage at a tense and exciting time, when the group was moving out from playing in arenas to outdoor stadiums.
He admitted styling wasn’t the band’s strength, and they were grateful to Ms Cashman for her input.
However he stressed the Stetson hat had been his idea, which he had had since before Ms Cashman’s arrival. He said the image was used to represent American iconography.
Ms Cashman, who left the band in 1988, was hired by Bono personally to replace their stylist.
Bono said during the tour he had to look after Ms Cashman when everyone else was at their wits end with her.
“She was unusual,” he said. “It was eccentric behaviour. She wore my clothes all the time and the other band members’ clothes.
“We went a very great distance to keep Lola Cashman because she was very good at her job.
“We didn’t let her go because we were vulnerable. We were trying to make it work with her. I feel like a fool because she has done these things since leaving the band,” he added.
By the time Bono finished giving evidence for more than two hours, the airless court room was packed with onlookers, including court staff, gardaí, prison officers, and barristers.
He is due back in the dock tomorrow morning.
