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Colour, sophistication & style at The Kerryman Irish Independent Rose of Tralee Fashion Show 2012
THERE is no show quite like a fashion show and no show comes bigger than The Kerryman Irish Independent Autumn Winter Fashion Show during the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Starring in this year’s extravaganza on Sunday 19th August in the Festival Dome, Tralee will be: Philip Tracey, John Rocha and Kerry’s Don O’Neill and it will be as big as any international fashion show throughout Europe, according to the show’s producer, Celia Holman-Lee.
“The audience can expect an entertaining fest of fashion from world-renowned designers and boutiques from all over Munster with up to 30 models participating along a 60-foot long catwalk. It’s a perfect time to step out of summer and into the crisp, warm shades of autumn. This event provides the public with their first opportunity to see the stylish collections that boutiques & designers are offering for the upcoming Autumn/Winter seasons,” said Celia at the event launch in the Muckross Park Hotel, Killarney.
Taking part in this year’s Fashion Show will be the Kerry Design Centre, including Carol Kennelly & Karyn Moriarty and many more. It will feature top fashion boutiques from all over Munster, Design Centre in Dublin including Philip Tracey, John Rocha, Umit Kutluk and Synon O’Mahony.
The main colours for Autumn/Winter 2012 are Chocolate, Aubergine, Grape, Oatmeal and Burnt Orange for that splash of colour. The key trends include Colour Blocking – loud & proud, Art Deco Glamour – bold metallic & glitzy embellishments, 70’s-inspired laid back looks along with Geometric and Animal prints.
The Rose of Tralee Fashion Show is of great importance to the local economy as the boutiques and fashion outlets throughout Munster rely on the occasion above all others to showcase their collections en masse to their customers.
Best Dressed Lady
This year the Best Dressed Lady Competition will be sponsored by Muckross Park Hotel & Cloisters Spa in the heart of Killarney and it will be judged by business woman and Mentor from The Apprentice, Jacqui Lavan and Irish Independent Fashion Editor, Bairbre Power.
One lucky lady will walk away with accommodation for two nights in the Luxurious Presidential Suite for two people, a Sumptuous Breakfast served in the Blue Pool Restaurant each morning, Champagne and Strawberries presented in room on arrival, Dinner on one Evening in “GB SHAWS” fine dining Restaurant.
Each winning guest will experience The Decadent Chocolate Ritual in the Spa to include the following: Mocha Foot Scrub, Chocolate full body exfoliation, Chocolate Body Wrap & Energising scalp Massage, Cocoa Candle Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage and Relaxation in the thermal area.
The Holman-Lee Agency has been in existence for almost 40 years and is one of the most established agencies in Ireland while producing fashion shows the length and breadth of Ireland is a specialty.
Celia started her own career as a model at the age of 15, when she stepped onto the catwalk for the first time. She then fell in love with showcasing fashion & the excitement of producing fashion shows. This has continued for over 40 years and is now a family-run business.
On Celia’s downtime, in most recent years since her three grandchildren arrived this is where she likes to spend all her spare time. They are a great love in her life.
The Kerryman Irish Independent Autumn Winter Fashion Show at the Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place in the Festival Dome, Tralee on Sunday August 19th at 8pm with a pre-show reception at 7pm. Tickets are only €30 and are available from the Rose of Tralee Office on 066-7121322 or www.roseoftralee.ie.
Ronan O’Gara lines-out with the 32 Rose of Tralee Escorts for a Royal experience at Newbridge Silverware
NEWBRIDGE Silverware Ambassador Ronan O’Gara continued his association with the Rose of Tralee International Festival when he lined-out with this year’s 32 Escorts for their first public appearance of 2012.
As on the Rugby pitch, Ronan will perform the most vital role in this year`s Rose of Tralee Festival as he crowns the winning Rose on stage, in the Dome, on August 21st.
The Irish Rugby legend and the 32 Rose Escorts were guests of honour at an exclusive performance of the Royal Monaco Boys Choir in the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre.
The 32 Escorts were presented with a selection of pieces from the Gents Style Collection before enjoying to the dulcet tones of the Monaco Boys Choir – the official Boys Choir of the Principality of Monaco.
Ireland is a particularly important country to the Choir as Princess Grace was, like many of the International Roses, an Irish American and her most prized garments are on display in the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre.
Phil Donnelly of Newbridge Silverware, lead sponsor of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, said: “We are delighted to extend our lead sponsorship of the Rose of Tralee International Festival to the Escort of the Year Competition. This is a natural fit for our brand since we continue to be associated with a host of Irish ambassadors both male and female. Indeed, our Gents Style Collection is a favourite amongst our male consumer. We wish each individual Escort, a most enjoyable and memorable Festival experience.”
On Monday 20th August, live on RTÉ 1 TV, one of the 32 Escorts will be announced as the Newbridge Silverware Escort of the Year for 2012 and he will walk away with a Prize Bonanza from Newbridge Silverware.
This will include: a cheque for €5000, a complete set of silver-plated cutlery personalized with the winners Family Crest and the Gents Style Collection of watches and cufflinks as endorsed by Newbridge Silverware Ambassador, Ronan O`Gara.
Escort Co-ordinator with the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Colm Croffy said: “The 32 Escorts have already been put through their paces at the annual Boot Camp in the beautiful mountains and waterways of Kerry. They are now experts in the art of holding hand-bags, lipstick and hairspray but most importantly – they are the perfect gentlemen who will be ever present to assist their lovely Roses in Tralee. The Boot Camp puts the boys under some pressure while teaching them team-work and some discipline, all of which are qualities that are very much needed for Festival Week.”
Among the class of 2012 to chaperone the 32 wonderful Roses are some gardaí, medical students, teachers, farmers and a nurse.
Each of the Escorts has secured the support of family, friends and local businesses to provide them with the sponsorship that is necessary for them to complete the journey to Tralee.
The 2012 Rose of Tralee International Festival will begin on Friday 17th August with the Gala Rose Ball. The televised selections, presented by Dáithí Ó Sé, will take place on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st with the 2012 Rose of Tralee being presented with her Newbridge Silverware Tiara live on RTE 1 television on Tuesday night.
Full details of all the International Roses, Escorts and Festival events are available from www.roseoftralee.ie, Facebook and Twitter @roseoftralee_
Anyone for dinner with the Ó Sé newly-weds and the Rose of Tralee at the Rose Ball?
ANYONE who books a pair of tickets to the Rose Ball at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival could share their evening with Dáithí Ó Sé, his wife Rita and the Rose of Tralee Tara Talbot.
The chance of a lifetime opportunity has been announced on the week that the Rose of Tralee TV Host marries the 2008 New Jersey Rose, Rita Talty.
The General Manager of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, Oliver Hurley, said: “Kerry’s hottest newly-weds and the 2011 Rose of Tralee are looking forward to sharing their banquet table with two special guests at the Rose Ball on Friday 17th August. We wish Dáithí and Rita every happiness as they set off on this new life journey together and we look forward to welcoming them to this year’s Festival as a married couple. Their wedding demonstrates how the Festival can make dreams come true and we hope that this year’s event will fulfil the dreams of many more people.”
The Festival Office team have been receiving bookings for the August 17th Dome event since early June and the organisers are reminding the greater Tralee and Kerry public to book their tickets now to avoid missing out on a fairytale night in the Festival Dome.
The International Rose Ball continues to be the highlight of the year for many people and once again there will be a spectacular night of entertainment on show.
Following a champagne reception, the award-winning Brook Catering will once again serve up a banquet fit for a King and afterwards there will be plenty of opportunities to dance-off the calories!
Returning to perform at this year’s Rose Ball are Ireland’s premier band - Brass & Co - an exciting 10-piece live band that offers a mix of music including Big Band, Swing, Disco, Motown, R&B and Rock & Roll.
The price of tickets for the Rose Ball has not increased for the fifth year running and already there has been a steady level of interest, not only from local revellers but also from the families and friends of the travelling guests.
The Rose Ball is traditionally the first major event of the Festival each year and tickets are on sale now from the Rose of Tralee Office on 066-7121322 or online from www.roseoftralee.ie.
“This event is always very well attended by visitors to Tralee and by members of the locality who continue to support the Festival in many different ways. We appreciate this support and we look forward to welcoming back many familiar faces as well as some new faces,” said Oliver Hurley.
The International Rose Ball will take place on Friday 17th August at the Festival Dome, Tralee beside the Carlton Hotel and the Rose of Tralee International Festival will run from Friday 17th to Tuesday 21st August 2012. The new Rose of Tralee will be crowned in the Festival Dome and live on RTÉ One TV on Tuesday 21st August.
For more details on the Rose Ball and other Festival events visit www.roseoftralee.ie.
