My Week with Celia Holman Lee: Glamour and heritage for a stylish week

FESTIVE ELEGANCE was in full bloom as the InterContinental Dublin unveiled its much-anticipated Festive Afternoon Tea in suitably glamorous style.

We were welcomed with a sparkling champagne reception before being treated to an exclusive first taste of the hotel’s seasonal Afternoon Tea experience.

The atmosphere on arrival was instantly lifted by Sean Boland, whose modern takes on Christmas classics set the perfect tone for the afternoon.

READ MORE: My Week with Celia Holman Lee: Farewell to a fashion legend and a friend

The menu itself was a celebration of craftsmanship and Christmas charm with a delicate selection of sandwiches and a variety of scones.

The true showstoppers, however, were the exquisite Christmas-themed pastries, each one a work of art created by head pastry chef Orna Clark.

Earlier in the week I attended Ireland Fashion Week’s Modern Heritage showcase of the extraordinary and talented Aoife McNamara.

I attended a truly special evening honouring designer Aoife McNamara at her Adare cottage. I got to spend time with the wonderful Aoife and her fabulous mother Grace McNamara, along with Ashley McDonnell, founder of Irish Fashion Week

It was an evening steeped in creativity, innovation, and pure Irish design magic.

Hosted in the warm, atmospheric setting of her Adare studio and store, ‘Live from The Cottage’ offered guests a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the vision, ambition, and artistry that define Aoife’s work.

The event celebrated the evolution of her latest collection, with pieces that honour Irish craft while embracing contemporary elegance.

In an intimate fireside-style conversation, Aoife opened up about the full journey behind her most ambitious runway show to date.

Her reflections on navigating the modern fashion landscape were as inspiring as the designs themselves.

-XxCelia