Gloss Gala Marks Two Decades With Record Attendance At RDS

A Milestone Celebration At The RDS

Last night the Royal Dublin Society hosted the largest and most glamorous Gloss Gala to date as 1,680 guests gathered to mark twenty years of the publication. The anniversary event, held in association with Goodbody, brought together readers, partners, industry leaders, and friends for a night that combined fashion, conversation, entertainment, and celebration. Broadcaster Ciara Doherty guided the proceedings from the stage, setting a warm tone for an evening that reflected the magazine’s evolution into a cultural fixture.

Highlights From The Main Stage

A centerpiece of the program was a conversation between guest of honour Amanda Wakeley OBE, the internationally recognized fashion designer, and journalist, author, and broadcaster Jo Elvin. Their dialogue ranged across friendship, fashion, career reinvention, and confidence, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. Michelle O’Keefe, Head of Wealth Advisory at Goodbody, also shared insights during the formal portion of the evening, reinforcing the event’s long-standing focus on financial empowerment alongside style.

Fashion Show And Catwalk Partnerships

A spectacular fashion show, sponsored by catwalk partner Hyundai, showcased the season’s most exciting looks from a curated roster of Irish and international labels. Designers and brands featured included Louise Kennedy, Magee 1866, Elää, AndTate, Guaranteed Irish, Avoca, and Khan. The presentation highlighted both established heritage houses and emerging names, offering attendees a broad view of current trends across ready-to-wear and accessories.

Record-Breaking Prize Draw

Adding to the excitement was the largest luxury prize draw in the gala’s history, with more than 455 prizes awarded throughout the night. Winners claimed exclusive experiences, luxury stays, fashion pieces, beauty products, and lifestyle treats, creating a steady rhythm of surprises across the room. The final grand prize, a €5,000 voucher for Boodles, was claimed by Clare Belton, capping the draw on a high note.

Guest Experience And Atmosphere

The evening began with a drinks reception that allowed the stylish crowd to mingle before taking their seats for the main program. The guest list reflected a cross-section of sectors including finance, law, media, technology, government, and the creative industries, underscoring the event’s reputation as a key networking occasion. Photographers captured hundreds of attendees in the gallery areas, documenting the breadth of the community that has grown around the brand over two decades.

Looking Ahead After Twenty Years

As the celebration drew to a close, the mood in the room pointed toward continuity rather than conclusion. The gala’s consistent sell-out status and expanding partner roster suggest the platform will remain a fixture on the Irish social and business calendar. With the twentieth anniversary marked by record attendance and an expanded program, the focus now shifts to the next chapter of growth and community building.

The drinks reception that opened the evening gave attendees time to connect across sectors before the formal program began, reinforcing the gala’s reputation as a cross-industry gathering point. Conversations flowed between professionals from finance, law, media, technology, government, and the creative industries, many of whom return each year as part of a growing community anchored by the publication. Goodbody’s continued association with the event underscored a partnership that has expanded beyond sponsorship into shared initiatives such as the female-focused investment club launched during the pandemic, which promotes financial literacy and peer support. Michelle O’Keefe’s remarks on stage echoed that mission, linking long-term planning with the confidence to navigate career transitions. The fashion presentation, curated with Hyundai as catwalk partner, balanced heritage labels like Magee 1866 and Avoca with contemporary names such as Elää and AndTate, reflecting a deliberate mix of tradition and innovation. With more than 455 prizes distributed, the prize draw operated on a scale that kept energy high throughout the night, culminating in the €5,000 Boodles voucher won by Clare Belton. As guests departed, the prevailing sentiment pointed toward anticipation for the next edition rather than nostalgia for the milestone just passed.