LTB 2012

Fashion and business overlapped once again on October 19 when The Gloss held its annual Look the Business event in association with Vodafone. The ninth such event since the magazine launched in 2006, almost 600 women attended to network over a champagne supper and watch a business-oriented fashion show.

Earlier that afternoon, guest speaker Mrs Moneypenny of FT fame flew her own plane into Weston airfield (with safety pilot Wayne) in time to address attendees. Forthright, frank and funny, her take on being a woman in business met with approval, judging by the reception in the room and the activity on Twitter. At one point, she took a turn on the glossy black catwalk: “Bet this is the first time you’ll have seen a woman with a BMI of 37 on a fashion runway.”

Speaking of weight, what could hold more weight in the fashion world than the following line-up: Brown Thomas, Arnotts, M&S, Karen Millen, Coast, LK Bennett and Dunnes Stores. Seven of the most influential brands in Ireland were chosen to be in the Look the Business show. Selected for relevance, quality and fashion cred, all have powerful women at their heart, helping drive their businesses on.

Forthright, frank and funny, [Mrs Moneypenny’s] take on being a woman in business met with approval, judging by the reception in the room and the activity on Twitter.

Keeping things professional behind the scenes was Christine Lucignano, creative artist for Lancôme, who was charged with creating a great make-up look for the 16 models. With berry lips, smoky eyes and super-flawless skin, courtesy of Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra 24h, the models’ faces literally shone with beauty. Lancôme fans at Look the Business were thrilled to open their smart black Lancôme gift bags to find a bottle of the gorgeous new La Vie Est Belle fragrance inside – along with the fabulous Rouge In Love lipstick, a Lancôme Hypnôse shadow and a sample of Visionnaire to try.

Working alongside the Lancôme make-up team, were Michael Doyle and his stylists from Peter Mark who devised the looks for hair: one up (a seemingly effortless ponytail), one down (glam side parting with a deep curl). “Do try this at home,” he said as we looked on sceptically. “It just takes a little practice.” Or, much easier, we thought, just go to Peter Mark.

As always, the Look the Business Designer Handbag draw did not disappoint. This legendary element of Look the Business punctuated the evening with great prizes. Look the Business sponsors Vodafone set the gold standard by awarding three Samsung Galaxy Tabs to stunned guests (Maire Walsh of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce; Catherine Tarrant and Erika Fagan of the State Claims Agency), but there were designer shoes from The Shoe Garden at Arnotts for each guest at the table where Sorcha Nic Mhurchu of Eircom was seated and a Max Benjamin candle, diffuser and lotion for a guest at every single table in the room. Other prizes included a very cool coffee machine from Miele, an opportunity to take five friends to a Trident Holiday Homes weekend getaway, lunch for two at Saba, and many other luxury items.

This legendary element of Look the Business punctuated the evening with great prizes…sponsors Vodafone set the gold standard by awarding three Samsung Galaxy Tabs to stunned guests.

Doreen Gerety of Alkermes was looking forward to spending the fabulous £1,000 voucher for Karen Millen that she was fortunate enough to win and one woman at every table was thrilled with a £50 voucher, also from Karen Millen. PWC’s Andrea Kelly was pleased to discover she was to be the proud owner of the stylish Prada bag, one of the most sought-after handbag labels at Brown Thomas.

As Anne O’ Leary, Business and Enterprise Director  of Vodafone, sponsors of Look the Business, said “This evening gives us a once-a-year shot in the arm of inspiration and of fun. Working as hard as we all do,  may I say, we deserve it.”