Trinny Woodall was special guest at an exclusive beauty and fashion masterclass in The Westbury, Dublin, hosted by THE GLOSS …
One of the buzziest, most elegant soirees this season took place last night in the Grafton Suite at The Westbury, when more than 150 guests, including members of THE GLOSS Goodbody Investment Club, attended The Beauty of Beauty, a very special event with founder of Trinny London, Trinny Woodall.
After a Moët et Chandon champagne reception, master of ceremonies Zara King welcomed guests on behalf of Jane and Sarah McDonnell, publisher and editor of THE GLOSS, and introduced Trinny. Trinny, is no stranger to THE GLOSS, having been a speaker at THE GLOSS Gala in 2019, when she kept guests riveted by life story, her successful career in television, and her experience of setting up a beauty business, which was then in its infancy.
Trinny launched the beauty brand Trinny London in 2017, initially from her kitchen table. It now has a turnover of over £55m, with a growing global aspect, shipping to over 170 countries. This week Trinny London launched at Brown Thomas Dublin, delighting the Irish “Trinny Tribe” and creating a huge buzz around Grafton Street – and of course, online.
Trinny, who wore a spectacular gold dress by The Vampire’s Wife, disarmed the guests with her warmth and humour, her honesty – “I will do HRT until I die” – and her business advice – “My father always told me the goal is to make money while you sleep”. She spoke to Zara about her career journey, building her brand and being fearless (coincidentally the title of her new book, which guests received in their fabulous goody bags, alongside Trinny London products.) “When things are easy you don’t learn,” Trinny told guests of her sometimes challenging entrepreneurial journey, and personal life, including 16 rounds of IVF. She described how an accounts meeting – “three hours poring over an Excel spreadsheet” – might be the less glamorous aspect of her business week, but it was vital and a learning opportunity.
When she was joined on stage by THE GLOSS Beauty Editor, Sarah Halliwell, she told Sarah about how her interest in skincare was sparked by her teenage acne and the endless search for the right product. “I have tried everything!”
Sarah asked Trinny about her the positive psychological effects of creating a good skincare routine and finding the make-up that works with your colouring. When asked about her morning routine – which includes four minutes of self-administered lymphatic drainage and listening to the Calm App (“otherwise I just reach for my phone and start to work immediately”) – and some bunny hops, which she duly demonstrated on stage. When asked about maintaining her incredible energy, and her work-life balance, she said “I hate that phrase!” and explained how how her tendency to overschedule and overdo meant her team often had to encourage her to stop, and breathe, and she often relaxed by simply watching TV with daughter Lyla or reorganising her wardrobe.
Two models were given a make-over by Trinny London make-up artists Kellieann and Courtney: a modern, clean work look for daytime and an easy way to elevate it for evening. Trinny suggested little tweaks, including the gorgeous Phoebe lip colour and the Sabrina eye pencil, a chocolate brown. It’s sold out apparently, all over the world, but still available at Brown Thomas.
Not only proficient in make-up and knowing what women need and want before they know it themselves, when it comes to style, Trinny is the undisputed master. She has taught us all about the art of layering, how to pair high-end with high-street pieces and how to ditch conservative clothes in favour of more colour. Trinny’s intuitive, practical, joyful approach to fashion on Instagram and TikTok meant the avid followers in the room were primed for fun when it came to this part of the event.
Fashion by Brown Thomas included summer tailoring, cool pieces for a city break, new season accessories and occasion wear, including a gorgeous Victoria Beckham blue suit, a floral skirt and top from Zimmermann, a two-piece teal shirt and trousers from Kobi Halperin and an evening gown from Solace London.
Trinny demonstrated how she would style these pieces in her own inimitable way with small tweaks – the addition of shoulder pads to create a stronger shape on a cool parka, inverting collars on shirts to create a cleaner neckline and creating multiple holiday outfits from just two key pieces. Accessories were added, sleeves were tweaked, trouser lengths adjusted. Trinny talked colour, cut and finding the designer or label that worked with her body shape. “I have a long body – that’s why I love Susie Bick’s The Vampire’s Wife. Susie and I have have a similar shape. Female designers tend to design for the shape they have, so look out for that.”
A very special indulgent – and Irish – after-dinner drink was served with dessert: Five Farms coffee liqueur is made from fresh cream from five family-owned farms along the Wild Atlantic way in Co Cork.
After the final fashion segment, guests also had the opportunity to meet Trinny and her team of Trinny London make-up artists and try the products.
Click into the gallery to see the guests who attended.
Photographer: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography
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