Caggie & Millie - MIC

Made in Chelsea... so I admit I might be a bit behind everyone else but I've only recently caught on to MIC. I will admit that I had dismissed it as your usual run of the mill reality show until I discovered that it's actually quite addictive!

It's all about the lives of the rich and famous, particularly young socialites living it up in London. Champagne is the drink of choice. The relationships border on incestuous, which some of the cast members have commented on, but it does make for great viewing.

This said, it is the fashion that really gets me. Everyone dresses pretty fabulously, the boys are privy to wearing cravats and suit jackets as part of their everyday attire. However paired with jeans it actually works. Probably because they have the confidence to carry it off!

The style of the characters in general is pretty impressive. That said there are a couple of characters that really stand out. Caggie Dunlop is classed as a cool girl, by both guys and girls alike. Her look is quite relaxed on a daily basis but she can glam it up if needs be. A denim shirt teamed with a messy bun looks great on her but so does a short dress. She's a fan of maxi skirts, denim and chunky jumpers. Even without making a huge effort, her Ray-Ban aviators and winning smile are enough to get her noticed. She is a solo singer who has also launched her own fashion label ISWAI- It Starts With An Idea.

Millie Mackintosh is another lady who dresses to impress. From denim cut offs to a leather look dress this girl does classy chic very well. Bodycon dresses, shorts and blazer jackets are key pieces in her wardrobe  She could be described as slightly more high maintenance than Caggie but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. A make up artist who decided fashion was more her thing is now working in Glamour magazine as an intern. My dream job, right there! Accessories are important for Millie's look, from her Chanel 2.55 to a floppy fedora, she rarely puts a fashion foot wrong.

Caggie and Millie are the best of friends. Back in Series One there was a foursome going on when the girls were spending time with Chelsea playboys Spencer Matthews and Hugo Taylor respectively. Their friendship has survived long distance separations and friction with other cast members. They may acknowledge the other girls, air kissing and so on but it is clear that their bond is a special one.

GTI Showcases Fashion Forward Looks

First published in the Galway City Tribune on 27th April

19^th April was the date chosen for this year’sGTI Fashion Fiesta. As the event enjoyed tremendous success last year thoseinvolved were determined to make sure this year was equally as good. The venuechosen was the Hotel Meyrick on Eyre Square. An inspired choice, as the grandsetting of the hotel’s surroundings fitted in perfectly with the masqueradetheme. Some of the models donned bouffant hair, red rouge and pale powderedfaces lending a Victorian old worldly feel to proceedings

The title of the event was A Modern Masquerade. This waswhat made the event so unique. There was a perfect combination of old and new.Some of the hairstyles and make up were reminiscent of older trends but with afashion forward twist. The outfits modelled were wonderfully imaginative fromthe materials used to the tailoring and structure.

The opening of the show was no exception to the moderntheme. The audience were given an advance preview of Alice Underground which isto take place in the Town Hall Theatre on the 5^th and 6^thJuly. The performance was a mix of hip hop, ballet and modern dance showingthat the old fashioned fairy-tale has certainly evolved.

This performance led into the fashion show which waspresented by none other than Mr Brendan Courtney, presenter of RTE’s Off theRails. From the moment he opened his mouth he was cracking jokes which put boththe models and the audience at ease. He was full of praise for Galway as it isa fashion forward city which is no surprise considering it’s the home of PhilipTreacy whom he compared to the great Christian Dior. Brendan also said thatGalway has the most fashion designers per capita than anywhere else in theBritish Isles. Definitely something to be proud of! Brendan is no stranger toGalway, as he has presented Glamour in Galway for the past two years. Thefashion and beauty event is run by Catwalk modelling agency and has enjoyedgreat success to date.

The fashion industry practice students were the first toshowcase their wares. The designs were based on items that can be found in thehouse. Toilet roll, bubble wrap and binliners were used to make high fashionoutfits. Combined with dramatic make-up and hair the effect was veryimpressive.

Next up was business fashion. The styling here wasimpeccable, the first model wore a beautiful white number with little appliquedrosebuds topped off with a masquerade mask in keeping with the theme. One ofthe highlights of this section was Laura Jane Halton, a past student of thecourse who even modelled one of the outfits herself. Only last weekend she wona prize at Kerry Fashion Weekend, singling her out as one to watch!

Next up were the level 5 fashion design students. All of thedesigns were impressive but the Volvo Ocean Race dress was certainly one of themost exciting designs on show. The detail was astonishing, it was made usingseashells and other accoutrements collected from the sea shore. It waswonderfully authentic and very fitting considering the big event is fastapproaching. Galway is very excited about the Volovo race and it was great tosee that reflected through fashion designs from gifted students.

Many of the current spring summer 2012 fashion trends werefeatured in the work of the GTI students. Candy pastel colours, lace trimmingsand midi length skirts were all to be seen on the catwalk. The hair and beautycreations were striking. Every colour imaginable was used, one model wascompletely bedecked in blue and black, from her hair and make up to her outfit.

The final module to take to the catwalk were the level 6fashion design students. These pupils are in their second year at GTI. Theirhard work was evident from the skill that went into creating the ensembles.Each designer chooses a theme and then develops their design around the chosentheme. Stacey Fox modelled her own design, a beautiful flowing Grecian dresswith beaded detail. This creation would look amazing at any celebrity studdedred carpet event. Marie Joyce’s 1950s inspired dress was made from dressshirts. This was Brendan’s personal favourite as he chose it for the covetedtitle of best dress on the night.

Given the stunning designs showcased in the Meyrick it comesas no surprise that three of the students Lily Joyce, Aoife Heneghan andKatarina Hruskova were finalists for the Age of Aquarius award at the GoldenEgg Fashion Innovation awards held here in Galway on the 5^th ofApril.

Previous students of fashion at GTI have gone on to work forRos Na Run, Brown Thomas and Emily Jean a headpiece and jewellery designer. Onestudent even succeeded in getting work experience in a fashion house in theTrump Tower in New York’s 5th Avenue. With such varied talent and expertise itis clear that Galway is making its mark on the fashion world.