Queens of the catwalk in charity spectacular

IT was without doubt the Cork social calendar event of the year — Helena Christensen, Jodie Kidd, Ali Hewson, Guggi and Rasher all partying together in the Southern capital.

The atmosphere was palpable in Cork City Hall last night as fashionistas from around the country witnessed the unveiling of next season’s offerings from Dolce and Gabanna, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli at the Brown Thomas Fashion Show in aid of the Chernobyl Children’s Project International.

Free-flowing champagne and canapes greeted the 650 guests who paid up to €120 each for tickets. The Irish Examiner was themedia sponsor of the prestigious event.

What marked this night out from other fashion events was the accessibility and relaxed demeanour of the show’s big stars. During a relaxed press conference, Helena Christensen admitted she had wanted to visit Cork city for some time.

“We’re very happy that we’re in Cork. I came to West Cork many years ago and wanted to visit the city. I’m delighted to be here,” she said.

Jodi agreed that it was nice to come to somewhere different and “especially for a good cause”.

Supermodels they may be but there were no egos on display in Cork last night. “The real star is Adi,” said Helena. “We’ve done nothing compared to Adi.”

RTÉ’s Gráinne Seóige was MC for the night and Irish models including Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey, Glenda Gilsen and Lizanna Kirwan also strode along the catwalk. Helena Christensen was the first model to hit the ramp while rockers Gavin Friday and artists Rasher, Guggi and Graham Knuttel also did a turn along with former Westlife star Keith Duffy and celebrity gardener and housewife’s favourite Diarmuid Gavin.

Cavalli was the first designer on show followed by Chanel, Diane Von Furstenberg, Moschino, Lanvin, Fendi, Missoni, Pucci and Chloe.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin and his wife, Mary, were in the audience as were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Cork, Cllr Michael and Eileen Ahern.

Brown Thomas Cork general manager Caroline Counihan was delighted by the success of the show as were Bill and Marion Keary who played an instrumental part in the conception of the show.

It was Bill who accompanied Adi Roche of Chernobyl Children’s Project to Dublin to meet Helena Christensen, a long-time friend of Ali Hewson, last July. According to Adi, Bill told Helena: “We need to sell you to Brown Thomas for a major fashion event.” Last night, they did just that and raised over €150,000 for the project.

“This is a novel way of doing it,” said Adi. “We could have had this in Dublin and have had it in the Point with three times the amount of people. But this has been a dream. It has been a really positive experience. It’s thanks to Helena that it’s happening.”