From event tips to hair trends to camping in churches, here is what to expect this month
A commandment for a glossy holiday fête comes from celebration expert Darcy Miller who divulges her key party planning secret: “Even if you tell everyone to come in gold, that all makes it festive,” she says. “Your friends might kill you but at least it sets the mood.” The Irish who are not staying at home to paint the town green, or gold, or orange (or its softer sister, coral) and watch Ireland vs England on March 18, will invade the Cheltenham Festival which starts March 14 and finishes with the Gold Cup on St Patrick’s Day. Insiders tell us the The Ivy Montpellier in Cheltenham Town Centre remains the hotspot for cocktails and dinner. It seems the Irish-inwellies- and-Hermès love affair with the Cotwolds continues, with pre and post-Festival stays at Soho Farmhouse in cookie-cutter Chipping Norton or at Daylesford Organic Farm in Moretonon- Marsh, on the cards.
The Daylesford cookery course is on lots of glossy bucket lists; a visit to Amanda Brooks’ gorgeous Cutter Brooks store in Stow-on-the-Wold is a bonus. Meanwhile, we await details of the Soho House opening in Dublin with North Great George’s Street the latest in a list of (uncorroborated) locations suggested. Now that the skis are packed away, the seasonal exodus to the Algarve starts in earnest this month too, and new resort Ombria, north of Loulé – a sleepier spot that’s becoming more popular with Irish holidaymakers – is on the radar. Pretty villas set into the hills, plus hotel, golf course and spa will attract those looking for a healthy holiday. Meanwhile, for lovers of early nights, Irish DJ Annie Macmanus’ sellout Before Midnight dance dates in London and Dublin, dubbed “club nights with a curfew” by the New York Times, are aimed at older dance music fans who juggle jobs and children – they start at 7pm and are all wrapped up by midnight. Yes we are partying again, but on new terms.
A TIP FOR CHELTENHAM? At Jil Sander SS23, models wore wellies with dresses. Saves heels sinking into the mud.
CRUISE COLLECTIONS: We’re taking to the seas this month: All Aboard the cruise trends. From: Alaïa Afore Alaïa, Rizzoli New York.
JEWELLERY NEWS: Exciting lots have already been consigned for Adams Fine Jewellery and Watches sale in May, including a rare diamond bracelet signed by one of Rihanna’s favourite designers, Kutchinsky; www.adams.ie.
HERMES HOUSE TRINKETS: Cheval Cosmique trinket tray; www.hermes.com.
BOLD TYPE: Burberry’s new logo features an understated typeface with serifs on the edges of each letter.
ORANGE COUNTY: Georgina O’Hanlon’s silk scarves are inspired by the Kerry lansdcape.
OSCARS: Apart from critiquing Oscar fashion on March 13, we look forward to Cloon Keen’s new Aesthetic Lily candle launching on March 21. Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s love of the lily, and created by Irish perfumer Meabh McCurtin, it’s a delicious white fl oral. €45; www.cloonkeen.com.
BYRONIC BARNETS: John Corbett, Brad Pitt, Matthew McConaughey, Timothée Chalamet are all leading the charge, replacing buzz-cuts with Byronic manes.
EMPTY CHURCHES: Not anymore: champing (camping in churches) is the new glamping, coming to a derelict church near you.
LAYERING: Move over hair layers, it’s all about dental “micro layering” – a new procedure that’s far kinder to pearly whites than veneers.
