Reading Notes VERONIKA FAUSTMANN BOOKS Orna Mulcahy chooses seven books to read in March S eventeen-year-old Mae is leading a spectacular double life in Nicole Flatterys debut novel NOTHING SPECIAL (Bloomsbury, €16.99). Changing out of her school uniform on the subway, she sashays her way to her job as a typist in a strange tin foil-clad studio where wannabe stars and strung-out friends orbit an artist with bad skin and a whispery voice. Inspired by Warhols Factory in the mid1960s, where two high school girls did in fact work transcribing tapes for what would become Warhols novel a, A Novel, Flattery vividly recreates the hectic glamour of the studio where everyone wanted to be famous. Watchful, provocative Mae goes all in, following the entourage to parties, staying nights in the studio, desperate to get away from her mother, a hard-boiled diner waitress, constantly unfaithful to her kindly boyfriend Mikey. But when Maes new best friend and fellow typist Shelley disappoints by being just as desperate as everyone else at The Factory, Mae forces herself to move on. Decades later, as her mother is dying, she looks back at her younger self with a cool compassion. Gruesome episodes of clerical abuse are at the heart of Sebastian Barrys latest novel OLD GODS TIME (Faber & Faber, €13.99). Deliberately vague on dates and times the action takes place sometimes in the 1960s, sometimes in the 1970s and sometimes in the 1990s, the reader must grasp the sharp edge of a terrible tale through beautifully spun scenes that make this a little masterpiece. Tom Kettle is a retired policeman living in an annexe to a seaside house in Dalkey, occupied by the occasional ghost. Hes not had time to settle in properly, his books still in boxes, when two young guards come calling, asking for help with a cold case. You want this to follow a well-worn storyline, with the old cop solving the case for them, but could Tom in fact be a suspect? The victim, Father Thaddy, was brutally knifed and thrown into a ravine. Tom, in his wicker chair, looking out to sea, smoking his Hamlets, dreams of his wife June, their children Winnie and Joe, and of his own orphanage past. All the love and laughter they shared was no match for the demon that came roaring up the years, severing something, like a madman taking a scissors to the Bayeux tapestry. Barry expertly layers the horrors with seams of golden memories and serves up a graceful ending. Definitely worth your time. STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND (Sandycove, €15.90) is the strangest and darkest story yet from Liz Nugent, who has the great skill of revealing atrocious details in calm matter-of-fact prose. In a brilliant opening chapter, Sally disposes of her fathers body in an unconventional fashion but nothing is as it seems in this book of shocking revelations. In fact Sally is the adopted child of a notorious paedophile father who kept her mother shackled to a radiator, and that was just for starters. Sally survives and now finds herself on the way to being an independent woman with a new home and an inheritance in the bank. Shes embarked on therapy, is making friends and it could be that life will turn out ok, until a mysterious package with a teddy bear arrives in the post from New Zealand. Sallys real father escaped too, found himself another captive and carried, on, to the distress of a son the world knows little about but who might have inherited more than his fathers building skills. As Sallys family reveal themselves, her equilibrium is shattered and the well of anger she has tried to control comes rushing to the surface. A new short story collection from Margaret Atwood OLD BABES IN THE WOOD (Chatto & Windus, €22.80) offers a brilliant pick and mix of characters and situations. The backbone of the book is a series of stories following the marriage between Tig and Nell their homes, their family, their ageing parts and Tigs eventual departure. Interspersed are tales of magical cats, the life of the 52 March 2023 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE Pearl Radamanthys earrings, €42, at Russborough House; www.russborough.ie. soul, university politics and a lively imagined interview with George Orwell. Atwood brilliantly captures, too, the snarky friendships between women perfectly comfortable with advancing age and not above telling outright lies to each other to raise a reaction. A decade on from Booker prize-winning saga The Luminaries, writer Eleanor Catton is back with BIRNAM WOOD (Granta Books, €22.80), a frightening tale for our times. Mira Bunting runs a collective that hijacks disused plots to grow vegetables and fruit to live on and sell. Its a small scale operation, but the book opens as Mira travels south, having read of a landslide that has left a large farm isolated. Its perfect for guerrilla gardening on a grand scale that will highlight the work of the collective and the waste of good land. But Mira is not the only one with designs on the farm. When American surveillance billionaire Robert Lemoine shows up, having agreed to buy the land for an end-of-world bunker, he allows Mira and her collective to farm part of the land and even offers to fund them. Its up to Tony, a disaffected member of the group, to dig into Lemoines real plans for the land; it becomes horrifically clear that his intentions are anything but benign. After a slow, thoughtful start the book speeds up towards an unexpectedly grisly conclusion. Writing professor turned author Nathan Oates has turned out a humdinger in A FLAW IN THE DESIGN (Serpents Tail, €17), a Ripleyesque tale set in New York and mid-winter Vermont. Gil Bennett, a writing professor, and his artist wife Molly have escaped New York for Vermont where they live a contented life with their teenage daughters, but their world is turned upside down when Gils only sibling Sharon is killed in a freak accident with her wealthy husband, and they have to take in their orphaned nephew, Matthew, until he comes of age. Its tricky, since the last time they all met, Matthew had tried to drown his cousin in a swimming pool. When Matthew joins Gils writing class, his stories reveal a menace that must be confronted. Gil, boiling with resentment at his nephews wealth and arrogance, convinced he murdered his parents, forces a showdown but Matthew is several steps ahead of the game. Or is he? Gil is a great creation, crippled by self-loathing but determined to get to the bottom of his sisters death. Matthew is a sneery brat who deserves everything that is coming to him. Viola Di Grados BLUE HUNGER (Scribe, €14.80) translated by Jamie Richards, plunges the reader into neon-lit Shanghai where a young Italian woman has exiled herself, traumatised by her twins untimely death. A chef who had dreamt of moving to China, it falls to Ruben (she has adopted his name) to live a little of that life for him. Instead, she finds herself gobbled up by Xu, a woman with perfect skin and huge appetites. Ruben submits to endless dark, disgusting-sounding dishes, and sex in uncomfortable places, from grimy hotels to disused warehouses and a vast former abattoir. When Ruben tries to break away, Xus real nature emerges. @OrnaMulcahy FASHIONS PRICE SPIKES / CHARDONNAY IS COOL AGAIN / HEAVENLY DAY SPAS / DINING OUT ON A BUDGET / MATCH-READY MENSWEAR MAGAZINE MARCH 2023 with THE IRISH TIMES ww w ss.ie eglo .th THE FASHION ISSUE NEW MINIMALISM + fab styling tips and tricks CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE 6 THE GLOSS MONTHLY REMINDER SIGN UP to receive a monthly reminder by email when THE GLOSS is out so that you never miss an issue. Simply register your details on WWW.THEGLOSS.IE. Cream wool mix blazer, 490; matching sleeveless dress, 290; both Day Birger et Mikkelsen, at Gloss~ip! JIL SANDER GLOSSIP TWO UP Spring sunshine Were on the move in March OSCARS A TIP FOR CHELTENHAM? At Jil Sander SS23, models wore wellies with dresses. Saves heels sinking into the mud. CRUISE COLLECTIONS: Were taking to the seas this month: All Aboard, page 44. From: Alaïa Afore Al FASHION 2 3 Spot The Trend Move over athleisure, balletcore is trending, says Aislinn Coffey 1 INTERIOR 4 5 8 7 9 IMAXTREE 6 BALLETCORE Springs balletcore trend prioritises pretty, comfortable clothing that allows the wearer to move with the ease and elegance of a dancer. Soft colours wit Your art collection will get jealous. The difference is Gaggenau. Grand architecture demands grand interior pieces. Your wine climate cabinet, much like your collection, speaks to who you are. Every Gaggenau piece is distinctively designed and crafted from exceptional materials to offer professiona 3 FASHION FASHION Disco Bags û BARE SHOULDERS Asymmetric tops and necklines look best when tucked in or belted and worn with hair up. To ensure a streamlined look, wear with a Skims Fits Everybody bandeau bra. This years iteration of the trend is less Flashdance casual and much more elevated, tho FASHION FASHION IMAXTREE LOUIS VUITTON 9 IMAXTREE SHOULDER-SKIMMING EARRINGS Chandelier earrings flatter jawlines and add sparkle to eyes. Dont save for red carpet appearances, or conceal behind hair. Wear with confidence and with practically anything. REJINA PYO 8 JACQUEMUS Capri Pants Le I-PACE Official fuel consumption figures for the I-PACE 24MY Combined Electric Consumption kWh/100km 22.0-25.2 (TEL-TEH). Combined Driving Range km- 470-408. Charging Time (AC 7kW 0-100%) 12.75 hours. Time based on using a 7kW AC home charger. The figures provided are as a result of official manufa IMAXTREE FASHION !ø Cargo Pants !6 For models like Kendall Jenner, 20 denier tights, worn with a black body or belted blazer, are the new trousers. More wearable are sheer or fishnets tights worn under trousers with ballet flats or sandals, as seen at Dior, Versace and Tove. TOVE !5 For casual Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the 24MY Velar in mpg (I/100km): Combined 11.9 l/100km 2.3 l/100km. CO2 emissions 233g/km-49g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturers tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ ADVERTORIAL THE NEW HANDBAGS Smart structured shapes feature at Fendi, Givenchy and Jil Sander, where the top-handle bag is key. The classic tote is reworked and updated with spring stripes in canvas and crochet. Look for romantic floral bags at Ganni, Coperni and Loewe. The minimalist bag trend a THE TRENDS YOU NEED TO SPRING FORWARD ADVERTORIAL Brown Thomas SS23 collections, hot off the international runways, are some of the most beautiful yet. Fashion Buying Director Shelly Corkery explains ... t a spectacular show in a penthouse in Dublins Docklands recently, Brown Thomas officially lau ADVERTORIAL White dress, 1,490; green dress, 990; both Victoria Beckham. ADVERTORIAL White floral dress, Erdem, 1,845. Cobalt blue jacket, 2,790; matching trousers, 990; both Alexander McQueen. Sleek tailoring figures in sorbet colours in many collections, says Shelly, most notably at Dries Van Noten, where classic tailored jackets and coats are matched with ruffled sk HELEN CODY FASHION Parisian Pop-Up Designer Helen Cody is taking her couture collection to Paris for a twoweek pop-up exhibition in a gallery in the historic Jardin du Palais Royal, just a short walk from the Louvre, from April 17-30. Visitors will be able to see and buy one-off pieces, or commiss The possibilities are endless Inject fresh energy into your wardrobe with stand-out staples, new-in accessories and springs must-have handbags at Kildare Village. Do we even need to mention the unmissable savings? Your next adventure is closer than you think... Kildare Village 2023 02/23 FASHION MANGO Sneaker Love This seasons favourite fashion sneakers? Retro minimalist kicks (#retrocore) are back with a bang. The best ones to shop now are Adidas Samba or Gazelle 85s, 130; www.adidas.ie. Mangos off-white leather and suede panel sneakers are also worth checking out, 59.99; www.man NEW ARRIVALS Newbridge - Athgarvan Road Blanchardstown - Shopping Centre Tallaght - The Square SC Limerick - The Crescent SC Dublin - Arnotts Kilkenny - High Street Cork - Mahon Point IMAXTREE BEAUTY Cherry lips Cherry and berry-toned lipstick is no longer just for nighttime worn with fresh skin and pared-back eye make-up, as shown here by Rixo, it looks modern, casual, relaxed. Try a lip tint that blends care with shine: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment, 24.95, at SpaceNK. fresh-f Elegance is an attitude Jennifer Lawrence THE LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION ADVERTORIAL SHOP THE SEASON AT DUNDRUM TOWN CENTRE New shapes, new colours, new energy ... its time to think about lighter, brighter spring/summer fashion. At Dundrum Town Centre, you can shop it all, from designer labels to high street favourites LK BENNETT Lourdes floral dress, €529, at LK BENN ADVERTORIAL Washed silk shirtdress, Eileen Fisher, €405, at HARVEY NICHOLS. Brandy celadon blouse, Day Birger et Mikkelsen, €230, at HARVEY NICHOLS. Madeline handembellished floral dress, €197, at FOLKSTER. Gold Robyn dress, €295, at FOLKSTER. FOLKSTER Folkster does it again this season, bringi MENS STYLE Menswear Notes STYLE CV 1 BRUNELLO CUCCINELLI What to wear to the match and beyond ... THE BEST INVESTMENT PIECE I OWN is a blue handwoven tweed jacket by Magee 1866. WHAT DO I WEAR ON AND OFF-DUTY? If Im on 2 an expedition, my clothing is technical and chosen to combat the extrem BSH Group is a Trademark Licensee of Siemens AG. Simply beautiful. Beautifully simple Siemens inductionAir redefines the way you cook by combining innovative hob technology with integrated worktop ventilation. The new technology of the intelligent flexZones with blue dual lightSlider gives the flex FASHION m ules or mortgage? As interest rates soar, and inflation skyrockets, your luxury investment might be downgraded to something more modest. On the flip side, your usual payday pick-me-up could end up costing you hundreds. This increasingly familiar phenomenon poses a prickly question: Why c FASHION A LITRE OF MILK? INCHING UP. A PAIR OF THIS SEASONS LEATHER BIKER BOOTS? THEYLL CERTAINLY HAVE YOU FEELING THE PINCH. theres a question mark over brands who are switching to viscose, often touted as more sustainable than cotton or polyester. The reality is you could pay in the region of €3 MOODBOARD 5 March Mood Nonchalant 6 1. IM GETTING shellacked in Nailberrys LOxygéné breathable nail varnish in Silver Lining.www.nailberry.co.uk. 2. IM CATCHING up on bedtime by Susan Zelouf reading in the glow of Space Copenhagens stone blue Como lamp, portable and rechargeable, designed for Est.1887 ADAMS Ire la nd s Pre mie r Jewel le ry Auct ionee rs Auction Tuesday 16th May 2023 FINE JEWELLERY & WATCHES An Irish Connection to An International Market Invitation to consign A Lapis Lazuli Alhambra Necklace, by Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1980 Price realised €30,000 A Rare Sapphire TA I LO R E D TO F I T head to toe, inside & out bespoke hand crafted living FOR EVERY ROOM OCONNORSOFDRUMLECK.IE SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT D RUMLEC K, C AST LEB ELLIN G H AM, C O LOUT H T: 04 2 937 2 6 2 5 IN FO@OC ON N ORS OF D RUMLEC K.IE WINE TEXTURAL TACTICS Pale blue structured sleeveless top, CECILIE BAHNSEN, 1,350, at Brown Thomas. Natural white Baldwin trousers, STYLEIN, 285; www.ecrustudios.com. 37 January 2023 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE WINE THE NEW MINIMALISM This season's cool, well-cut clothes with minimal details look good against the rich backdrop of historic Russborough House Cream wool blazer with statement button, ROKSANDA, 1,750, at Brown Thomas. Black blouse, HACHE, 369, at Emporium Kalu, Naas, Co Kildare. Black Sbiru w WINE Vanessa wears: Pink blazer, Stella McCartney, 1,090; floral shirt, Dries Van Noten, 575; lilac skirt, JOSEPH, 425; all at Brown Thomas. Black loafers, 119, at & OTHER STORIES, 26-27 Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Gold earrings, THOMAS SABO, 169, at Weir & Sons, as before. Sheila wears: Lemon coat, S WINE MINT CONDITION Sheila wears: Greige double-breasted blazer, 179; WWW.ARKET.COM. Mint green pleated drop-waist faux leather dress, PROENZA SCHOULER White Label, 685; www.zalando.ie. Gold-tone chandelier drop earrings, JORGE MORALES, 120; www.ecrustudios.com. Vanessa wears: Tusk Claudia silk b WINE Beige trench coat, SANDRO, 299, at Kildare Village, Co Kildare, as before. Cream cocoon top, 25.95; matching midi asymmetric skirt, 29.95; both at ZARA, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16. Ivory mock-croc bag, MAJE, 159, at Kildare Village. Beige patent leather shoes, TELA, 360, at Beautiful South WINE BLITHE SPIRIT Copper silk-georgette jumpsuit with cord lacing detail, 3,710; natural Arcon canvas and leather bag, 4,340; gold-tone Halo leather bracelet, 1,080; gold-tone Charniere leather earrings, 540; gold-tone Halo leather choker necklace, 1,350; mini Clic Chaine dAncre enamel bracelet, WINE THE RIGHT NOTE Grey wool blazer, 150, at COS, 6-8 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2. Grey ribbed merino wool polo sweater, IRIS & INK, 185; www.theoutnet. com. Pink floral appliqué linen midi skirt, ZIMMERMANN, 1,150, at Brown Thomas. Silver and gold-tone earrings, JORGE MORALES, 100; www.ecrustudios. WINE Vanessa wears: Black floral appliqué cotton shirt, PASKAL, 338; www.zalando.ie. Black straight-leg trousers, 89.95; black leather belt, 59.95; both at MASSIMO DUTTI, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16. Black leather loafers, 119, at & OTHER STORIES, as before. Black weave clutch bag, Themoiré, 495 WINE Vanessa wears: Grey Lily Donegal tweed blazer, 399, at MAGEE 1866, 21-26 South Anne Street, Dublin 2. Nude slip dress with silver flower sequins, SIMONE ROCHA, 1,120, at Havana, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Gold-tone Ivy hoop earrings, 55, ONE DAME LANE, as before. Silver Amberley chunky necklace wit WINE EARN YOUR STRIPES Blue and white stripe shirt with detachable collar and cuffs, LOEWE, 880; pink linen-mix pleat-front trousers, STELLA MC CARTNEY, 650; both at Brown Thomas. Brown leather slingback loafers, 110, at & OTHER STORIES, as before. Baroque pearl earrings, COMPLETED WORKS, 320, at TRAVEL TRAVEL ZIMME RMAN N RES ORT S S23 All R eleased between the autumn/winter and spring/summer collections, the original aim of the Cruise collections was to kit out wealthy clients who decamped to warmer climes, such as Palm Beach or Miami, during winter months. Coco Chanel is given credi Smile and the world smiles with you. IrelandsEye Knitwear. Combining contemporary styles and stitches with vibrant colours for a fresh modern look and feel. www.irelandseyeknitwear.com TRAVEL TRAVEL Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas. The Chanel Cruise 2019, held in the Grand Palais in Paris. ships numerous lounges offer plenty of space to relax, while the central Plaza Mayor bar has been designed to evoke Salamanca citys spectacular main square. If a luxury cruise is more you NEW FINISHES AVAILABLE NOW Free colour cards & wallpaper samples Paint & wallpaper to order Nationwide Stockists paintandpaperlibrary.com +44 (0) 161 230 0882 info@paintandpaperlibrary.com COLOUR SHOWN: CARAVAN 453 BEAUTY Beauty Notes ERDEM By Sarah Halliwell Yasmin Sewell of Vyrao perfumes. THE RITES OF SPRING IN OTHER NEWS ... Bright fresh beauty Tried & tested this month ... NEW SPICE Forget sugar in perfume, we love a bit of spice, whether thats bright ginger or a hint of pepper. Spring feels like TRAVEL ADVERTORIAL COMPETITION EVA BERGS TRAVEL DIARIES The Pilates pro investigates a new wellness sanctuary in Ajman and a boutique polo hotel in Dubai Win a trip to the new Clarins Boutique & Spa The first Clarins Boutique & Spa in Ireland has just opened on Dublins Wicklow Street and you co BEAUTY FOR SPA SOCIALISING Brooks & Co Spa Glasson is found in a picturesque spot overlooking Lough Ree. Now owned by the Press Up group, its a photogenic place to meet up with friends: there are packages from 95pp (for groups of six or more), including lunch, treatments and exclusive spa use not t BODY CARE WITH a Difference, CREATED WITH every body IN MIND Sustainably sourced, high quality ingredients are cultivated with care in the Mediterranean Basin and beyond to reveal rich, velvety, nourishing textures, that give your skin the ultimate moment of luxury it truly deserves. Discover LOCCI Reading Notes VERONIKA FAUSTMANN BOOKS Orna Mulcahy chooses seven books to read in March S eventeen-year-old Mae is leading a spectacular double life in Nicole Flatterys debut novel NOTHING SPECIAL (Bloomsbury, €16.99). Changing out of her school uniform on the subway, she sashays her way to he ADVERTORIAL SPRING TRIO Now that winter is over, its time to start planning day trips to interesting places. This spring, discover the fascinating north county Dublin trio of Malahide Castle & Gardens, The Casino Model Railway Museum and Newbridge House & Farm THE CASINO MODEL RAILWAY MUSEUM MALA BOOKS Spies Like Us A book by Nathalia Holt reveals the untold stories of women in the CIA, including Liz Sudmeier I n the dark, Liz Sudmeier could be anyone. She could be a bored housewife looking for an afternoon of amusement at the movies. With flat shoes, a calf-skimming skirt, and no make-u A match made in kitchen heaven TH A NK S TO OUR SUPER B INDUCTION HOB WITH I N T E G R AT E D V E N T I L AT I O N . This new power couple brings the best of both worlds to your kitchen. We created a built-in appliance that offers you top noise reduction, strong performance on both counts, and a del WINE Kiwi Fruits Try New Zealand Chardonnay, says Julie Dupouy B y March, the natural world around us has fully awoken from its winter slumber. In the northern hemisphere, early March marks the start of a new cycle in the vineyard with the vines pulse gently flickering back to life. This new flo FOOD Nothing Fancy Trish Deseine says goodbye for good to over-fussy food E merging from a seemingly endless winter, its only now that the true impact of the last three years is really hitting home. Theres a reckoning with the enormity of it all, alongside a palpable brightness and determined op ADVERTORIAL CELEBRATING MOTHERS THIS MARCH FOOD Restaurant Notes Ciara McQuillan is in search of value and these four fit the bill, literally ... FISH SHOP, DUBLIN 7 SPRING MOTIF COLLECTION Beautiful assortment of some of Butlers most popular chocolates, presented in an on-trend red and pink bo INVESTMENT CLUB THE GLOSS GOODBODY INVESTMENT CLUB If you dont take control, who will? Its time to have a complimentary Financial Health Check-up We offer all our members of THE GLOSSGOODBODY Investment Club a complimentary Financial Health Check with a Goodbody financial advisor who really unde THIS GLOSSY LIFE CHLOE MC GINLEY Digital content creator MY STYLE IS minimal, classic, neutral. SS23 is about keeping things classic and focusing on quality. TRENDS ILL BE ADOPTING THIS SEASON A sheer top or dress worn under a blazer. Ive already bought a few maxi skirts from Zara and an Australian This Glossy Life EIDER LEITE Freelance stylist and personal shopper MY STYLE is classic with a twist. SS23 is about getting dressed up and going all out! TRENDS ILL BE ADOPTING THIS SEASON Eider wears: Black wool U-lock blazer, Givenchy; navy corduroy trousers, Prada; white logo high-top trainers THIS GLOSSY LIFE JOHANNA DOOLEY AND KARA OSULLIVAN Founders of fashion rental platform Greens Are Good For You OUR STYLE IS about fun, colour and showing our personalities via our outfits. SS23 has a very romantic mood with floral and sheer trends. We believe the Y2K trend is here to stay via low-ri THIS GLOSSY LIFE Sinead wears: Biscuit blazer, Hailey Bieber X Wardrobe.NYC, at Brown Thomas; cream shirt; white lace vest; cream satin mini skirt; all Sinead Keary The Label; www.sineadkeary.com. Tan suede knee-high boots, Isabel Marant. Shot on location at Isabelles, Royal Hibernian Way, Dublin 2 ENVIRONMENT A Drop in The Ocean Power to the people in energy communities, says Holly Hughes I reland is a country whose dependence on fossil fuels which we are supposed to be reducing by 4.8 per cent every year until 2025 is actually increasing. Energyrelated emissions rose by 5.4 per cent in Book a design consultation and discover a new way of living. mcnallyliving.ie Book a design consultation today +353 1 660 4856 46 Serpentine Avenue Ballsbridge Dublin 4