We’re saying hello to a colourful April! This is what we’re listening to, reading, enjoying and where we are checking into…
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COLOUR ANALYSIS
Valentino’s SS24 haute couture show seems like an irrelevance to most of us but it’s probably the reason you will be wearing a red T-shirt with a lime-green skirt, or a green blouse with bluebell-coloured trousers this summer. Colour clashing is back and with it comes the return of “having your colours done” and a longburied enthusiasm for the good old-fashioned colour wheel. Find out what colour will bring you joy.
RACING ON
With a spring and summer of racing ahead, you might want to bone up on racing colours too. When Irish jockey Paul Townend won the Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month, riding Willie Mullins-trained Galopin des Champs, he was wearing the gold and brown silks of the horse’s owner, Audrey Turley. Mrs T wore a scarlet wool coat by Helen Cody, with red pillbox hat, in the winners enclosure.
BOODLES AND PUNCHESTOWN
Fine jeweller Boodles (whose Dublin showroom is at 71 Grafton Street) has been announced as the sponsor for the Punchestown racing festival (starts May 3), with champion jockey Rachael Blackmore leading Native River along London’s Bond Street to announce the partnership. Boodles has been a longstanding supporter of racing in the UK, but this is its first Irish festival partnership. The glamorous Boodles Bar, decorated in distinctive Boodles pink, promises to be the focal point of festivities of the five-day fixture. With any luck you’ll run into one of the Boodles team there: a more relaxed and convivial bunch you will not find anywhere!
NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
Rachael Blackmore is taking part in our new online series in partnership with As I Am, the national autism charity, in which well-known people choose an object that is special to them and describe its significance. The series begins this month (April is National Autism Awareness Month) with actor Colin Farrell’s favourite film prop, a bright green bench from the set of Banshees of Inisherin. Read the series here. Learn more about As I Am here; www.asiam.ie
WE’RE READING: The House Romantic: Curating Memorable Interiors for a Meaningful Life, Harris Haskell, Abrams.
WE’RE SUPPORTING: The inaugural Festival of Gardens and Nature at Ballintubbert Gardens and House, Co Laois, from April 20-22. Cath Kidston, Shane Connolly, Dominic West and Rory O’Connell join the stellar line-up of guest speakers. www.festivalofgardensandnature.ie.
WE’RE ENJOYING: The musical duo Matilda Lord and Alexandra Whittingham perform a repertoire, from early music to the sunshine-filled music of Manuel de Falla, at venues around the country, from April 20-27. Tune in. www.musicnetwork.ie.
WE’RE LISTENING TO: Niamh Bury’s debut album Yellow Roses. Niamh has been hailed as one of Irish folk music’s most exciting new talents. She says she’s inspired by Joni Mitchell, Lisa Hannigan and Joanna Newsom. www.claddaghrecords.com.
WE’RE CHECKING OUT: The Chancery, the new design-led hotel in Dublin 8, with Philippe Starck furniture, Votary toiletries and Fawn, its restaurant, whose doors open onto a pretty walled garden. Rus in urbe! www.thechanceryhotel.ie.
WE’RE LOVING THE JOY OF COLOUR: The Land Rover Defender 90 in vintage Grasmere Green was designed to celebrate the Defender’s 75th birthday this year. Test drive it at www.spiritmotorgroup.ie. THE GLOSS went off-road in the glossy Defender: read the review here.
TIPS FOR THE MONTH
ASTRONOMICAL LIP OILS Pucker up and save! This cherry PS Vitamin Lip Oil is just €3 at Penneys. www.primark.com
THERMOSPATS April showers bring May flowers: With temperature fluctuations, expect more than a few “thermospats” – when couples argue over control of the thermostat.
ACNE ANGST Colourful star-shaped patches made from hydrocolloid – a material that absorbs fl uid and reduces inflammation – as seen on Hailey Bieber and Florence Pugh, have gone viral. Dua Lipa and Willow Smith are fans of American patch brand StarFace.