Review: Fashion for Breakfast

Usually Friday mornings are exercises in mental fortitude with one eye on the clock and the other on Whatsapp plotting weekend plans? not this Friday however. This morning we hosted our first Fashion for Breakfast in the Drury Buildings in Dublin’s city centre, and our brains are still whirring as we try to remember everything our amazing and inspirational panel of speakers said. We’re also still drooling thinking about the breakfast buffet – those mini bacon butties simply were Friday.

Fashion For Breakfast time #imageinspire #chimein pic.twitter.com/84WtFlKNVL

? Elizabeth O’Connor (@Elizabeth_O_C) October 17, 2014

Kicking off proceedings were the morning’s sponsors, Kellogg’s Special K, who provided some of the breakfast and plenty of food for thought as television presenter and mathematician?Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain introduced us to the Chime for Change campiagn, a movement that seeks to empower women the world over. Kellogg’s have decided to ‘chime in’ and donated generously to Barnardos in order to help teenage mothers get the education they deserve. As Ester Pugh of Barnardos explained just how valuable such a programme is to these young girls, the crowd was moved with plenty of attendees asking how they can help after the breakfast.

Upstairs in the Drury Rooms, artist and fashion designer Helen Steele joined young milliner Laura Kinsella, designer Helen Cody and Paul Costelloe – Ireland’s most underrated wit – in the airy and beautiful space to talk about the fashion industry and how they each got their big breaks in the competitive industry, while fashion insiders and fans gathered round tweeting up a storm. Here’s some of our favourite snapshots for those of you who couldn’t make it.

@cody_helencody @lkmillinery @HelenSteeleFash @paulcostello wish could have fashion brekkie every day! Thank u 4 all stories #IMAGEINSPIRE

? Dolly & Bella (@DollyandBella) October 17, 2014

Amazing panel at @image_magazine Fashion for Breakfast @HelenSteeleFash @cody_helencody @PaulCostelloe #imageinspire pic.twitter.com/aUaJ1OAVBw

? R?is?n Tierney-Crowe (@RoTierneyCrowe) October 17, 2014

Each designer was adamant about sticking to your instincts when it came to design.

‘A woman should dress for herself, not for any man.’ – @HelenSteeleFash LOVE! ?? #GirlBoss #chimein #imageinspire @image_magazine

? Grace Denny (@GraceDenny_) October 17, 2014

Others just read our minds.

According to @PaulCostelloeUK Irish women have a fetish for handbags.. #gulity 🙌 #imageinspire

? Denise Sheridan (@DeniseSheridan_) October 17, 2014

One of the biggest takeaways from the breakfast was how industrious and acclaimed these designers are. Helen Cody spoke about double-interning at both Vogue and Alaia in Paris aged 22. Every single panelist had celebrity endorsements to thank for propelling their brand. Helen Steele has attracted some of the most exciting names in pop – Jessie J and Rita Ora. Laura Kinsella has found herself in Lady Gaga’s phonebook. Helen Cody just dressed Cecelia Ahern for the London premiere of Love, Rosie. And Paul Costelloe’s connection with Princess Diana is historic.

@HelenSteeleFash dressing Rita Ora & Jessie J, @lkmillinery crowning Lady Gaga. Irish fashion designers are making waves #imageinspire

? Sharon Murray (@ShazmoIRL) October 17, 2014

Paul Costelloe had the room in stiches with his quick bon mots and self-deprecation – for an internationally renowned designer this man has no fear of saying exactly what he thinks.

“I’ll always remember my first time…” @PaulCostelloe on going royal. #dressingdiana #imageinspire

? Brendan Joseph (@brenyes) October 17, 2014

So cheeky.

So @cody_helencody is awe inspiring and @PaulCostelloeUK is a hoot #fashionforbreakfast

? Jo Linehan (@jo_linehan) October 17, 2014

“You know less about women the more you go to bed with them” Paul “too-many-quotes” Costelloe @PaulCostelloe @IMAGE_daily #IMAGEINSPIRE

? Amanda Ann Connolly (@tweets_amanda) October 17, 2014

Brilliantly naughty @PaulCostelloe #imageinspire #chimein this morning

? Kathryn Mason (@KathrynMasonPR) October 17, 2014

However, attendee Nikki encapsulated the whole morning – and her kind and hopeful words even earned her a voucher for Sugar Cubed on South William Street.

Have never loved living in Dublin more, thanks to a hearty dose of Fashion for Breakfast with @image_magazine #imageinspire

? Nikki Bertenshaw (@NikkiBertenshaw) October 17, 2014

Couldn’t agree more. Keep an eye on our events page for details of upcoming IMAGE events. And for those of you who did join us, enjoy those goodie bags.

Best thing about #fashion4breakfast? That goodie tote. @ButlersChocs @armani @KelloggsUK @stelladot @OrganicMiracles pic.twitter.com/THe0tCyemW

? IMAGE Magazine (@image_magazine) October 17, 2014