Faux fur has been around for ages but it’s having a bit of a fashion moment with lots of the stars being papped in it over the past few weeks. The gilets are particularly fun and practical too. One piece of advice wear only one either, gilet, jacket, boots or scarf otherwise you risk looking like Iceland’s version of Michelin Man! If you have any already in your wardrobe dig it out and if you out looking to buy it’s definitely not an investment piece. Think fun and warm at the same time. The high street has some great reasonably priced pieces. Particularly H&M and Top Shop.
One of the Olsen Twins in Faux Fur this week (never sure which one's which?)
Where do the fashion pack head to when they visit Dublin? Which Irish boutique has mentions in Vogue Magazine and Harpers Bazaar and who was voted best Boutique in Dublin? The answer is ‘Smock’. Smock was the ‘fashionbaby’ conceived and nurtured by BF’s Karen Crawford and Susan O’Connell eight years ago in Essex street, Temple Bar and now since last June in Drury Street Dublin.
Susan and Karen’s vision was a simple one, to sell completely exclusive labels that they both loved and couldn’t get in Ireland. Their customers are women who like to be different in a very discerning way. Making an intelligent purchase rather than a frivolous buy and choosing labels that dare to be subtle. No bling on offer here then.
Clothes that are not bought for their hanger appeal but rely on cut, fabric and sublime yet understated style. Pieces that stand the test of time and each bought with huge thought and care so that the whole boutique has at it’s core an integrity. This boutique has a relaxed atmosphere where harmony is the over riding impression I get when I enter the shop. Partnerships have a notorious reputation in the business world often failing, but in this case it’s obviously a winning combination. Karen told me that both her and Susan rarely disagree and it shows.
Smock is indeed unique in the Irish Fashion world so I took my camera with me last week and both Rosie and Roisin showed me some gorgeous clothes that I particularly loved.
Roisin wearing dress by APC French Urban Chic Label
My personal choice from Tsumori Chisato A Paris based Japanese designer
Roisin in Trousers/Cardigan/Ankle Boots all by A.F. Vandevorst
Rosie in 'Isabella' blue/black dress by David Szeto
Amazing Jacket with side tie by Cathy Pill Top by Tsumor Chisato Trousers A.F. Vandevorst
The Snood AKA ‘Infinity Circle’, ‘Infinity Loop’ or ‘Circle Scarf’ and all because the name Snood sounds like either a rude sound or a cartoon character! Seen first in the 1940′s as a way to cover large hair it has been re-invented and appeared on the Missoni catwalk for Autumn 2009. Since then it has taken off because Fashion loves a ‘new’ piece of clothing. The Snood is driving accessory sales across all price ranges. Net- A -Porter were reluctant buyers but sold out of the Burberry version in record time. Think of it like a piece of comfy jewellery and choose a colour that will be good against your skin and liven up a simple look.
Smock boutique in Dublin is starting a knitting circle and I bet that the Snood will be first on the list of ‘Must Makes’. Check out ‘Wool and the Gang’ to DIY and/or give the set as a great Christmas present for those dark post Christmas (broke) evenings in, when the sound of knitting needles in front of the telly sounds like a good option.
Having said that I’m not a fan of the Jimmy Choo brand at H&M doesn’t mean that I’m dead against all collaborative ventures between designers and the high street. I just came across the first photo’s from designer Louise Goldin’s shoe designs for Top Shop for next Summer. They are very near her own catwalk offering minus some embellishment so she has been true to her design brief. Louise Goldin is a British Designer who launched to much acclaim in 2005 . These shoes are a seriously strong statement with lots of spikes and studs (now when and where did I see this trend before?) I really like the fact that she has managed to stay true and yet managed to produce for the high street. I look forward to seeing the rest of this collection and might even be tempted to join the queue.
Strong and edgy these shoes certainly are and if things go badly wrong, a kick under the table in these will take on a whole new meaning!
Sample of Louise Goldin for Top Shop Spring 2010
Spikey from Louise Goldin for Top Shop Spring 2010
It’s a rainy and pretty miserable Monday in Dublin so I thought I’d cheer myself up and you too. Since we are having a Sesame Street moment here’s a little something.
1. H&M gears up for the Launch of the Jimmy Choo collectionH & M
Jimmy Hoo?
I know every fashion editor and blogger has been pushing this launch with lots of oohs and ahhs. I’m sorry to put a damper on all this ballyhoo but I just thought the shoes I saw were trashy and badly made. For my money River Island and Top Shop do this kind of thing much better. Ok, I know the Jimmy Choo label isn’t there but if you are a person who likes design and quality this may not be for you. If on the other hand labels are everything then by all means go for it! The zebra print is by far the best of it (in my humble opinion, of course!)
4. Burberry shows the way and launches new social media website ‘Art of The Trench’
5. For True 60′s fabulous Fashion inspiration and a great film to boot, An Education hits the big screen. Take a look at a clip and review here. It looks like a winner.
6. Impossible to smell, but take it from me, new perfume from Penhaligon ‘s London ‘Amarinthine’ is the most gorgeous’ must have’ new scent I’ve come across in a long search for a new favorite. Tip: For a longer shelf life keep all your perfumes in the fridge.
Gorgeously seductive Amaranthine Eau de Parfum by Penhaligon's
Last night I was presented with an award, nothing to do with fashion at all so I deviate today and find myself writing a little about my bizarre life. The award ceremony took place in the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford Dublin where family and friends gathered.
The award was the Dublin Carer of the Year 2009, yes I know you’re saying that’s a bit removed from fashion but the truth is that life is strange and two and a half years ago my youngest daughter Chloe was with my Mum in a terrible car crash which took place in Vancouver whilst Chloe was on a Summer Family Holiday having travelled by herself to be with her cousins and Grandma. My Mum was tragically though mercifully killed instantly and Chloe was very seriously brain injured. I got the nightmare call at 3am on my birthday in Dublin and a few hours later with Chloe’s Dad and followed by Chloe’s older sisters made the long journey to Vancouver. Chloe was in a coma and what followed was a very painful, frightening and traumatic three months in Canada. We watched Chloe go from acute care to learning to talk, walk, eat and do all the things we all take for granted. All the while pushing her to succeed, happy that she was alive but in deep despair at the possibilities and reality that the life that was ahead of her had been swept from her.
Chloe was air ambulanced back home to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dunlaoire County Dublin and what followed was a very difficult transition from the Family Centred Hospitals in Canada with their high quality facilities and excellent care, to an old adult rehabilitation hospital with a six bedded children’s wing in the main body of the hospital. The National Rehabilitation Hospital has first class therapists and Doctors working in very difficult circumstances. They did an outstanding job and continue to support Chloe who spent eight months in the hospital.
Chloe is now back in School and doing amazingly well. She has exceeded a lot of the early expectations for her and we will continue with all the support she needs so she can fulfill her full potential in safety and happiness.
I started fundraising for the Children’s Unit in the National rehabilitation Hospital and we now have a Music Therapist working two and a half days a week. Music Therapy is a clinical based therapy which taps into the part of the brain which is unaffected by injury and which is responsive to Music. Amazing results with the Brain Injured Children are being achieved and my hope is to raise enough to grow the Service in the Hospital and eventually roll it out to the adult service.
The Carers Association in Ireland has 161,000 members all taking care of a loved one. I am happy to receive this award on behalf of all the carers in Dublin, to recognise their hugely under- acknowledged tireless work looking after family members.
So you see life sends you all sorts of challenges along the way. I said last night that if I was given a choice of Best Dressed Woman and Dublin Carer of the Year there is no contest. The Carer award wins hands down.
This blog has absolutely NOTHING to do with fashion!!!
I remember my Grandmother and then my Mum wearing Jaeger as a child and if I close my eyes tightly I can still feel the fabric and see the iconic Jaeger label. Jaeger were always synonymous with quality classics in that very British tradition. The past years saw the label become tired and somewhat mumsy. So what has happened to make fashion editors fight over tickets to the Jaeger Catwalk show at London Fashion Week? Why have Kate Moss and Davina McCall amongst a host of other celebrities been spotted wearing the latest Jaeger London collection?
Kate Moss in Jaeger
Today I travelled to London to preview the Spring Summer 2010 collections. Clutching my gold invitation (Willie Wonka style) I headed to Jaegers flagship store on London’s Regent Street.
Jaeger has been carefully nurtured and lifted into the 21st Century and has managed to retain it’s core quality of beautiful cut and fabulous exclusive fabrics. It has managed a most difficult transition, Jaeger London is Jaegers cutting edge collection whilst Jaeger 125 is a unique capsule collection celebrating Jaegers 125 years of business (yes I did say one hundred and twenty five years). Jaeger 125 is an 18 piece limited edition collection which delves into the archive, taking inspiration and recreating some of the Houses iconic pieces. A fabulous trench coat is lovingly reproduced in the exact shade of muted yellow. Each garment carrying a unique label with the story of the piece behind it.
Fabulous bags, shoes, jewellery and scarves complete the offer and I predict based on what I saw today at least another 125 years of elegant and edgy fashion from the House of Jaeger.
Boyfriend two tone big jacket for Spring Summer 20
Blackrock in County Dublin is a mecca for beautiful boutiques and before I head to London for Jaeger Press day tomorrow (I’m on the dreaded red eye in the morning) I dropped by to deliver some Yummie Tummies to Deryn Mackey in the gorgeous Khan Boutique which by the way has some seriously fabulous clothing. On the way I called into Jane of ‘Fran and Jane’ fame and because I had my camera with me and just had to take snap of a fabulous coat that I spotted. It’s shown here in red but comes in Winter White, Charcoal, Black, Purple and Navy (something for everyone!) and is priced at 299 euro.
Ilona in Coat by Fran and Jane
Gloves Off
My pick from Khan comes from the beautiful Nanette Lepore Collection
Sue modelling Chocolate Dress Nanette LePore @ Khan, Blackrock
During each week huge amounts of Fashion related News Items arrive from a huge variety of sources so I’ve chosen my top 5 picks from around the world. I will promise to make this a regular Sunday News Round blog. If you have any interesting stories you’d like me to include please send them to me. To read all these stories just click on the links.
From the New York Times a story about the new crop of Fashion Dolls hitting the Toy Store Shelves and giving Barbie a run for her money.
Also from The New York Times, Karachi in Pakistan is holding it’s first ever Pakistan Fashion Week, a gesture of defiance to the Taliban whose misogynist treatment of Women knows no bounds. Thirty two Fashion Shows three weeks later than planned.
In the UK, Fashion Retailing expert Mary Portas slams Primark (Penneys) claiming that shoppers are too turned on by instant gratification which used to be the preserve of the beauty business (think lipstick here) and are destroying the Independent Clothing retailers business.
Also a story from Drapers Record slamming Discount e-retailers for cutting prices on in-season stock and false advertising.
Trends and Fashion advise comes this week from Jess Cartner-Morley of the Guardian newspaper and shows us in her easy and totally cool style how to wear the Jumper Dresses ( which are everywhere) and how to wear rolled up Jeans (apparently there is a correct way!)
