Nicki Minaj - the Roscommon connection
What connects Knockvicar, Co Roscommon with Nicki Minaj's cleavage?
It's not often you're able to draw a line between the rolling fields of Roscommon and the plunging neckline of one of the world's most recognisable rap artists.
But today is that glorious day.
US-Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj made headlines over Christmas (that being the point of the exercise) for a revealing outfit worn at her Christmas Day party in New York.
But if you'll can manage to tear your eyes from her décolletage for a moment and focus your attention on the fetching studded leather bolero draping Nicki's shoulders, you might be interested to know that it's the work of up-and-coming Irish designer Úna Burke.
The London-based, Roscommon-born designer creates luxury leather accessories that have been catching the eyes of the fashionista set, leading to numerous national and international awards and features in the fashion press - lately in Vogue China, to name but one.
Una describes herself as making "intricate forms from vegetable tanned bovine leather" with a "distinct construction technique, using leather panelling and brass fittings" and with "influence commonly taken from psychological and military sources".
She's also made pieces for stars including Daphne Guinness, Rihanna and Lady Gaga - but her latest work for Miss Minaj is surely her most eye-catching to date.
Úna is following in the footsteps of Birr's Sorcha Ó Raghallaigh, whose breakout moment in summer 2011 came courtesy of this dress worn by Lady Gaga on the Graham Norton Show.
Again we say: fair play.
