I've just returned from a little soiree given by the recently invented Interior Design Association here in Dublin. May I just say? I've never seen a group of people more poorly dressed. Seriously. I was probably the best dressed person there. And that's just sad...
Usually when you meet interior designers, they're very well dressed. These people know everything about what's in at the moment, what the next fashion forecast will be, what colors to be stocking in the wardrobes. Their whole job is to be trendy. And failing that, funky, retro, or, barring all else, professionally dressed. And yet, tonight, as I gazed upon the room, my eye fell on a group dressed not to network, but to play Frisbee in the park with frequent beer breaks. And some runaway bridesmaids who really believed her when she said 'you'll be able to wear it again' before plunking down hard earned cash for an ill fitting, poorly designed, pastel nightmare.
The catering staff, who had all been told to wear head to toe black, looked more like designers than the designers did. I saw one girl in pencil eraser satin, just tight enough to see where her nylons were cutting into her waist with a tiny little bow under her butt. Not on her butt, not above, below, right were it had to be uncomfortable to sit. Good thing weddings are standing affairs. And the bow was really just stuck on. There was no seam to demarcate. No pleat to send forth. It was just there for the pictures I guess.
Most of the men were dressed in suits or, barring a full suit, the standard jeans/button up/jacket combo so favored by this country. Except for the guys that I can only assume were students, dressed in torn dirty jeans, slung down around their lowest 'won't get arrested in public' hip, t-shirt or faded plaid shirt and sun glasses. Really? Is this the man you want to spend 6 million of your bucks turning your newly acquired club into the hippest spot in town? I don't think so.
It has been on my mind for some time that the design professionals I know are mostly an ill dressed bunch. Then again, at BDP most were engineers, but still, would it kill you to iron a shirt before work? In my new office, 3 of the staff will wear jeans every day, client meeting or no. It's their uniform and now way in hell would they change it. I have a hard time wearing jeans on casual Friday. If I'm meeting a client, no dice. But I realize that I'm firmly in the minority here. It's a much more casual society in Dublin than in Dallas. But casual is not synonymous with sloppy. Or dirty. Or even (and this is the worst I think) non-matching. How can I trust you to pick out my carpet when your shirt doesn't match your pants?! Or you can't find the appropriate size for your body? I know, as a woman, it's disspiriting to admit you need a large and not a medium but choosing the small is only going to make you, and everyone else around you, feel terrible. Not to mention unsure of where to cast your gaze.
I studied the room, drinking my lovely Italian wine and thought to myself "What Would Laura Do?". Laura is the absolute word in trends and trendy. She's an interior designer, runs Plinth and Chintz, throws amazing parties and can always be counted on to divine the next hot thing. So there I was, wondering if I was being harsh, contemplating how it would be different had Laura been in charge. I offer the following:
- No matter who sponsored it, she would never have agreed to Gin Mojitos. Mint, Gin, lime and sugar. I shudder just thinking about it. She would, however, had a fantastic little wine shop provide the wine, which they did. Advantage: Laura
- We all know how important food is when the bar is hosted. Especially on a school night. The last casual get together I went to, she cooked for several days, cooked during the party and never managed to run out of food, in spite of feeding a revolving door of people. Tonight, I was stalking the canape waitress and even when I managed to find her (about 3 of them for close to 125 people. In contrast, there were 9 bartenders) I was only allowed one canape before she moved on. Advantage: Are you kidding me? Laura by a cruise ship buffet
- Music is an important consideration for any party. I was listening to the band (live, nice touch and since Trinity college, which is know for their music program , is literally across the street, good use of resources) when I realized that muted trumpet playing the melody was actually the singer. Trinity is know for classical music. They were playing jazz. I'm not sure what she was singing. Advantage: Our girl from the South wins again.
- Dress sense we've discussed so we'll just award that straight out to Ms. Laura who, even when she was in overalls for her Hee-Haw party looked more appropriately dressed than this lot. Hell, I look more appropriate rolling out of bed and heading to the store for coffee.
So it would seem that I'm in no way being harsh. Ok, I am, but really? I'm entitled. They had bad food, no chocolate fountain, people kept knocking over glasses and then standing and staring at the damage. The only good thing I can say is that I missed the speeches. I was in Italian and arrived late. Fashionably late it would seem.
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