"Bring And Buy! Come And See!", said the rather mysterious invitation. So, dying of curiosity, we did. The occasion was the Irish launch of trendy clothes-label Red or Dead. Anyone who has followed the quirky career of its founder Wayne Hemingway knew to expect the unexpected.
The venue was the first indication that this was no ordinary glitzy fashion bash - St Mary's Parish Hall in Haddington Road is hardly synonymous with sartorial expertise. The place was all set up for what looked like, (quelle horreur, the fashion police could be heard muttering), a sale-of-work. Elderly ladies from a bridge session next door hovered around trestle tables cleverly covered with authentic bric-abrac by stylist Sonia Molich. Thickly cut beetroot sandwiches and plump chocolate eclairs took the place of the dainty canapes normally served at fashion affairs. And the clothes - no nonsense sturdy stuff, looked totally at home. Hemingway had flown over from London to assure flummoxed fashion commentators that it was all part of Red or Dead's humorously ironic image. The unofficial spokesperson for British youth culture is on the seemingly impossible mission to deglamorise fashion. He asked Dana to be the guest of honour but the treacletonsilled one was too busy vote-catching so he settled for the charming Miss Dublin Central, June Power, instead. A nod to Dana survived in the form of a best-of-Eurovision tape which added further kitsch to the proceedings.
Some dedicated followers of the revered F word had gathered to pay homage to Wayne's creativity. Events organiser and writer Enda Storey and stylist Atlanta Rascher gazed lovingly at the funky shoes. James English and Clare Corcoran appeared the essence of cool in a couple of Wayne's creations. The Carter Twins, Stephen and Tony, who confused everyone by donning matching Red or Dead tops, chatted about their pop music career. Rumour has it the boys will be warbling Ireland's Eurovision entry for next year's contest. The song will be a composition by Boyzone's lead singer Ronan Keating. But it is an attempt that Carter Twins tour manager Kieran Keating, also Ronan's brother, wouldn't or couldn't confirm.
To his disappointment, Hemingway was only in town for one day, having to rush back to present the Big Breakfast.[RO ] He had spent the morning browsing the "really fantastic" second-hand clothes stores in Dublin. His own clothing range is currently available from selected stockists nationwide: unfortunately for admirers, it is not yet available at sale-of-work prices.