BOOKS BOOKS Reading Notes Orna Mulcahy finds fascinating books for February T HE LAST TALE OF THE FLOWER BRIDE (Hodder & Stoughton, €19) is the first adult novel from best-selling American YA author Roshani Chokshi and its very good. A dark love story with a Gothic feel, it recalls the best, most luscious and frightening fairy tales where dogs had eyes big as saucers and princesses combed precious jewels from their hair. Narrated by two characters, The Bridegroom and Azure, each recounts their enslavement to Indigo Maxwell-Castenada, a billionaire orphan who grew up in the House of Dreams. Its home to Aunt Tati who raised Indigo as a daughter and welcomes Azure as a second child, witnessing the girls grow so alike that she could tell them apart only by the temperature of their silky black hair. Azures hair was colder. But all of this is in the past, and, as part of his wedding vows to Indigo, The Bridegroom has promised not to pry. When they are summoned to Aunt Tatis deathbed, the house begins to reveal itself, and the nature of Indigo and Azures deadly friendship. Dense London fog regularly envelops the characters in Tom Crewes brilliant first novel THE NEW LIFE, (Chatto & Windus, €19), a Victorian-era story set against the backdrop of Oscar Wildes 1895 trial for gross indecency. The fog allows, for one blissful moment, a kiss between the esteemed writer John Addington and his young working-class lover Frank, but Addingtons wife Catherine takes a dim view when he installs Frank as his live-in secretary, and agrees to co-write a book arguing against the criminalisation of male homosexuality. His co-author Henry Ellis, is a medic and writer who, through membership of The Society of New Life, is striving for a more just society through education, improved public health and equality of the sexes. His own marriage to Edith is a chaste arrangement in which they live apart, with Edith taking a lover, Angelica. While Henry broods on his unconsummated marriage and his own secret inclinations, Addington yearns to be free and is prepared to expose the lie of his own marriage. Crewe has written an intensely human, sympathetic story. Highly sexual scenes are cut with the everyday dressing and undressing, frugal meals, cups of tea, the lighting of gas lamps and the stroking of dense Victorian beards. Its simply one of the best books you will read this year. Kathleen McMahon explores the damage a damaged parent can do in her much-anticipated fourth novel, THE HOME SCAR, (Sandycove, €15.70). Half-siblings Christo and Cassie, who live on different continents, are drawn back to the west of Ireland after a violent storm reveals an army of drowned trees from prehistoric times. Its the very forest their mother had obsessed about years before and so it seems right to meet again in Galway where they spent a summer before their mothers early death. Each has found some happiness Christo in a cloistered English college, Cassie as an artist in Mexico, but the burden of their mothers ruined life hangs heavy and immutable as the hardened stumps of the ancient trees they finally discover for themselves. IN ORDINARY TIME, FRAGMENTS OF A FAMILY HISTORY (Duckworth, €19), Carmel McMahon tells her emigration story, stitching in threads of Irish womens history and the tragic lives of two of her brothers. McMahon landed in New York in 1993 with $500 and a modelling contract but soon took the familiar route of bar-tending jobs and cramped flatshares. Calls home were frequent her mother always curious to know what New Yorkers were doing and wearing. Fur coats with sneakers? No! A job in the Whitney Museum could have been a dream, but McMahon was drinking heavily at that point and had to give it up. Later she worked as a secretary to a wealthy art collector, befriending the womans personal stylist Georgette, a hawk-eyed Frenchwoman who looked incredible for 80. All the while, McMahon is dipping in an out of Irish history, studying Jung, writing and eventually getting sober. The fragments of her New York life seem carefree alongside the shocking events endured by her family in this beautifully crafted memoir which left me wanting more. Sarah Thomas has drawn on her own experience as a tutor to the super-wealthy for her debut novel QUEEN K (Serpents Tail, €19). Narrator Melanie is employed by Kata and her oligarch husband Ivan to prepare their daughter Alex for a posh English school. Alex is naturally brilliant and has no real need to be tutored but over the years, Melanie becomes a friend and confidante. With her parents too wrapped up in their own affairs Ivans business and politics and Katas anxious social climbing Alex is determined to be noticed. While Melanie longs for the trappings of wealth to obliterate her own sad childhood, Alex plots a terrible revenge aboard her parents superyacht. In FLING (Macmillan, €16.90) Dublin couple Tara and Colin can just about remember a time when they were madly in love, but six years of marriage and three failed rounds of IVF treatment has snuffed out the spark. Which makes them perfect candidates for Fling, a dating app aimed at the unhappily married. When each hits a perfect match, you might guess what happens next but snappy dialogue carries the story along to a satisfying conclusion in this entertaining debut from Meath writer Joseph Murray. Every generation needs its Becky Sharp, the brazen character crafted by William Makepeace Thackeray in his 1848 novel Vanity Fair and much copied since. Here she is again in BECKY (Picador, €16.90) Sarah Mays Succession-style saga in which orphan Becky wriggles into the newspaper-owning Crawley family and doesnt stop until she reaches the boardroom. Becky is also inspired by Rebekah Brooks, Rupert Murdochs protégée who was the first female editor of The Sun. Set in the 1980s and 1990s, it rattles along very enjoyably, as talented Becky sucks up to celebrities and royalty then exploits them ruthlessly for her own ends. @OrnaMulcahy THE GLOSS MAGAZINE February 2023 39 NEW SEASON FASHION / WINES WITH ALTITUDE / FASCINATING NOVELS / A LONDON LOWDOWN / THE HIDDEN ROLES OF WOMEN AT WORK MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2023 with THE IRISH TIMES ww gloss.ie the w. DUSTING FOR DOLLARS THE RISE OF THE CLEAN~FLUENCER + PERFECTIONISTS A fancy penthouse ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS Erot CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE 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. PU B LI S H E R JANE MC DONNELL EDITOR SARAH MC DONNELL 12 D E PU T Y E D I TO R PENNY MC C 60 SECONDS TO PLUMPER SKIN: with vegetable squalane CLARINS.COM a duo of hyaluronic acids + organic leaf of life extract New Hydra-Essentiel [HA2] Triple action to plump and hydrate with a duo of hyaluronic acids + organic leaf of life extract. Our duo of hyaluronic acids instantly plumps and hydrates skin. Clarins exclusive organic leaf of life extract boosts GLOSSIP TWO UP Gloss~ip Sweet on these! R #ROMCOMCORE Make time for things you love in February TON Channel the new #romcomcore aesthetic inspired by favourite 1990s and 2000s movies (Clueless, My Best Friends Wedding, 16 Candles). Wear Mom jeans, velour pieces and baby doll dresses ... STA Photos by Flavien Carlod, Baptiste Le Quiniou, for advertising purposes only. TASCHEN. French Art de Vivre Bubble 2. Curved 3-4 seat sofa, designed by Sacha Lakic. £5,390 reduced from £6,340. Upholstered in Orsetto Flex fabric. Fully tufted. L. 248 x H. 80 x D. 132 cm. Price valid until 30/06/2023 MOODBOARD 7 February Mood 1. IM GIVING as good as I get with Wexford chocolatiers www.beanandgoose.ie Totally Love Collection. 2. IM LOVING The Louvre for giving house room to Antonio Canovas Psyche Revived by Cupids Kiss. 3. IM A WILLING slave to love in a Síne Vasquez Pillar T-bar pendant in F-PACE Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the F-PACE 23MY R dynamic HSE in mpg (I/100km): Combined 11.4 l/100km 2.4 l/100km. CO2 Emissions 275g/km- 49g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturers tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real FASHION 2 Spot The Trend 3 Transition to spring in low-key looks, says Aislinn Coffey 1 5 4 8 BOTTEGA VENETA 7 6 9 DELIGHT IN THE EVERYDAY One of the biggest highlights of the SS23 shows was model Kate Moss sashaying down Matthieu Blazys Bottega Veneta catwalk in a casual, logo-less che Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the 23MY Range Rover Sport in mpg (I/100km): Combined 19.4 l/100km 0.9 l/100km. CO2 emissions 266g/km- 20g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturers tests in accordance with EU legislation. For comparison purposes only. Real world figur FASHION COBALT BLUE RALPH LAUREN TRENDS WE L O V E LONG SKIRTS ALEXANDER MCQUEEN JASON WU Prepare to see Yves Kleins highly pigmented blue everywhere. A spike in cyan reflects fashions inclination towards more vibrant palettes this year. HOW TO WEAR Head to toe or paired with neutrals like cam Extra Space. Effortless Organisation. Discover the new Siemens XXL American Style Multi Door fridge freezers. Need help choosing your kitchen appliances? Let our Siemens appliances experts guide you. Visit our Siemens Appliances Showroom. BSH Home Appliances Ltd, M50 Business Park, Ballymount, Dub TORY BURCH FASHION SEQUINS TIN EN SHEER JOY Each designer put their own spin on this sheer, sultry, lingerie-inspired trend. HOW TO WEAR Its about showing a little, not a lot. Wear a crisp T-shirt under a sheer slip dress or with a sheer-panelled skirt. For a more daring look, show off abs and a NEW ARRIVALS www.newbridgesilverware.com Newbridge - Athgarvan Road Blanchardstown - Shopping Centre Tallaght - The Square SC Limerick - The Crescent SC Dublin - Arnotts Kilkenny - High Street Cork - Mahon Point & Merchants Quay SAINT LAURENT S FASHION SH E CARGO PANTS DRIES VAN NOTEN M A K E -U P U P D A TE C H O Were opening our eyes to a lighter way to wear mascara brown is a somewhat softer and more relaxed option than black for defined lashes with less drama. Try Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes TRAVEL ADVERTORIAL CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS OF FASHION Thank you to our valued and loyal customers for your support since 2003 Sara Roka Sportmax Fabiana Filippi Rosso 35 Hayley Menzies High Castanea Soru Tissa Fonteneda Provincial House, Bishop Street, Newcastle West, Co Lim RABIH KAYKROUZ MO NIQ UE LH UIL LIE R HELEN CODY MONIQUE LHUILLIER FASHION FASHION Olivia Uniacke Gene vieve Mora no Cam pori NUPTIAL NOTES O Hot pink, pockets, pants suits and pjs are trending for weddings this year, says Penny McCormick NADINE MERABI ne of the most Instaworthy INVESTMENT CLUB Cally Beaton Laura DeVoy THE GLOSS GOODBODY INVESTMENT CLUB The Fantasy Trading Competition For every woman who wants to know more about building a financial plan, developing investment knowledge is a key ingredient. Starting this month, our Fantasy Trading Competition comprises MENS STYLE Menswear Notes STYLE CV 1 Pack light and smart for a weekend away HARTFORD 2 3 4 I f youre escaping for the bank holiday and booking somewhere snug (try newly spruced Liss Ard Estate in West Cork; www.lissardestate.ie or Longueville House in Mallow; www.longuevillehouse.ie), ma ADVERTORIAL Port House Ibericos FOR THE HAPPY GRAZER PORT HOUSE IBERICOS is a supremely atmospheric and cosy restaurant with flickering candles and exposed brick walls. The rear terrace is perfect for summer dining and the menu is all-encompassing in its range of tapas and pintxos. The selection HEALTH SexyYOGA Kate OBrien investigates how yoga can enhance and improve sexual health and relationships I n 1990, Sting, a yoga devotee, made a throwaway comment (which has haunted him for life) about the seven-hour tantric sex sessions he enjoyed with his wife Trudi Styler. At the time, he sai Our masterpieces, require a master. The difference is Gaggenau. Create your masterpiece with ours. The new combi-steam ovens and oven range open up a world that is waiting to be mastered. Every Gaggenau piece is distinctively designed and crafted from exceptional materials to offer professional per bespoke hand crafted living FOR EVERY ROOM EVERY DETAIL BES PO KE M ADE AND FITTED SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT D RUMLECK, CAST L EBEL L ING HAM , C O LOUTH T: 0 4 2 9 3 7 26 25 I N FO @ O C O N N O R S O FD R U ML EC K . I E OCONNORSOFDRUMLECK.IE CU STOM DES IGNED AND FITTED FOR EACH LIVING S PAC E C USTO MI SED C O LO UR A ND DESI G N NO SPECK LEFT BEHIND Clean-fluencers like Mrs Hinch are making millions demonstrating their highly evolved cleaning skills on Instagram. Sam Johnson-Schlee wonders at their appeal S ophie Hinchcliffe set up an Instagram account to document her approach to cleaning in March 2018, and her account r LIFESTYLE CLEAN-FLUENCERS Search CleanTok on TikTok and youll instantly be presented with all manner of cleaning hacks, from stop-start videos filling aesthetically pleasing colour-coordinated fridges, to tips on how to clean your sofa (one method involves a microfibre cloth, dishwasher tablet, and WORKING LIFE Hello, Im here to help Women assume all sorts of unpaid roles in the workplace, from cleaning (literally) to emotional cleaning (read on to find out what that is). Gabriella Braun explores the toll this kind of micro gender inequality takes ... S unlight bounced off the sleek, glass- WORKING LIFE WE ALL NEED TO ACT BY LOOKING OUT FOR THE MICRO GENDER INEQUALITY GOING ON AROUND US ALL THE TIME AND THE INSIDIOUS AS WELL AS OVERT WAYS WOMEN ASSUME THE ROLES OF CARER AND CLEANER, AND MEN LEARN TO EXPECT THIS. Mary told me that the thought of networking filled her with dread; she 0404 65000 info@newcastledesign.ie WELLBEING Perfectionists Identify Yourselves! T Therapist Katherine Morgan Schaflers research reveals perfectionism is a phenomenon, not a disorder The night before our wedding, my husband and I decided to sleep separately, so that each of us could spend the evening in the most relaxing way possi WELLBEING Highly self-disciplined, classic perfectionists are adept at presenting in a uniform way, making it difficult to take their emotional temperature. Are they thrilled? Enraged? Having the best orgasm of their life? Who knows. Theyre either stoic or smiling as if theyre about to have their pi BEAUTY Beauty Notes RIXO A FRED MEYLAN spa treatment is truly welcome in February even better when its right on our doorstep. Were excited to visit Irelands first Clarins Boutique and Skin Spa, just opened on Wicklow Street in Dublin 2. Ive experienced Clarins facials elsewhere (most notably at Get closer to whats important Special Offers Take time to rejuvenate at Killeavy Castle Estate Relax your body and mind with a luxurious stay at Killeavy Castle Estate. One of Irelands most unique getaway locations, Killeavy Castle Estate provides the perfect setting for guests to truly switch off FOOD Cook or Go Out To Eat? Trish Deseine weighs the options for Valentines Day I ts a tricky one, Saint Valentines Day, for the over-16s. Restaurants can quickly become theatres of self-consciousness, particularly those deemed romantic all year round and expected to hard deliver on February 14. WINE WINE A Higher Calling Julie Dupouy finds wines with altitude Douro Valley, Portugal A s many of you dig out your thermal layers and head to the ski slopes for your first break of the new year, Dry January will be a fading memory. The idea of a refreshing aperitif or a giddy lunch to break DINING TROCADERO, DUBLIN 2 THE ROOM Dublins self-proclaimed theatre restaurant, Trocaderos lilting jazz, vintage light fittings, plush red velvet and signed portraits of actors who have dined there add to its clublike allure. ON THE PLATE The nostalgic theme continues on the menu with retro favourit BOOKS BOOKS Reading Notes Orna Mulcahy finds fascinating books for February T HE LAST TALE OF THE FLOWER BRIDE (Hodder & Stoughton, €19) is the first adult novel from best-selling American YA author Roshani Chokshi and its very good. A dark love story with a Gothic feel, it recalls the best, mos TRAVEL Glossy Stays Plenty of hyped openings this spring mean the London hotel scene is thriving, says Penny McCormick One of the Terrace Suites CHECKING IN: THE MARYLEBONE VIBE A fashionable five-star townhouse in the heart of Marylebone village. ROOMS 252 I The Peninsula London is in a prime TRAVEL ADVERTORIAL EVA BERGS TRAVEL DIARIES The seasoned traveller and Pilates pro finds much to love about Kolanaki, Athens The Lobby area Stavros NiarchosCultural Centre CHECKING IN: THE OTHER HOUSE, SOUTH KENSINGTON THE VIBE Pied-à-terre meets private club this is guests other house for as l INTERIORS The living room Home Suite Home W Years in the planning, the interior of this elegant Dublin penthouse has all the features of a luxury hotel suite PHOTOGRAPHS BY HELEN CATHCART hen a London-based Irish developer bought the famous Oscar Taylors restaurant and Island View Hotel on the Co INTERIORS The hallway of the apartment was inspired by the elegant retail spaces of luxury brands. A stairway lined with mirrors, like those at the Chanel boutique at 31 rue Cambon, and hand-painted silk wallcoverings, is a glamorous introduction to this very luxurious space. The scalloped pendant INTERIORS EVERY INCH OF THIS ELEGANT PENTHOUSE WAS DESIGNED AND FINISHED WITH EXCEPTIONAL ATTENTION TO DETAIL. ABOVE In the bedroom, with its art deco feel, every piece of furniture was designed to fit perfectly, while the pink marble en suite bathroom is pretty and luxurious. BELOW LEFT The guest This Glossy Life ALEX BRAMELL Step inside the playful London home of artist couple Charlotte and Philip Colbert S The Colberts in their double-height living room. The sofa and armchairs are by Oliver Gustav. The coffee table is by Buchanan Studio x Charlotte Colbert. urrealist artists Charlotte a 46 February 2023 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD (from four townhouses), with additional help from Buchanan Studio, former set designers known for their cool aesthetic. La Colombe dOr art hotel in St Paul de Vence in the South of France, where magnificent art is coolly and casually displa ALEX BRAMELL CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD ALEX BRAMELL THIS GLOSSY LIFE THE GLOSS MAGAZINE February 2023 47 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE February 2023 47 ENVIRONMENT A Drop in The Ocean Holly Hughes discovers a community of composters Virginia OGara of the Cork Urban Soil Project (CUSP). F ood waste is not a pollutant, its a treasured resource, Virginia OGara, one of the founders of the Cork Urban Soil Project (CUSP), tells me. We are speaking i 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