Another quick dash for a sambo to Dunne’s on Georges St and these guys were waiting outside patiently. I had my camera around my neck as it’s at this time of the year that I’m snapping all the samples of the new Autumn collections. The Muubaa is in and is absolutely gorgeous, soft as butter leather and this season there are skirts and trousers ( alongside the most gorgeous jackets. (I wonder which celeb will be papped in them). I’m heading to London on Monday to collect the two Jaeger collections , ‘Boutique By Jaeger’ and Jaeger London and can’t wait to see what they’re like.
They aren’t related and both are rescue dogs. Cute eh?
I’m mad busy in work at the moment and have hardly stepped out of the showroom for days but when I bumped into Ruth ni Loinsigh yesterday I promised I would pop around the corner to her new space on Drury Street, Dublin. Om Diva is by Ruth’s own admission styled in homage to her own bedroom (age 15) It has that carnival appeal that puts you instantly into a good mood. The old space around the corner in the Georges Arcade was a very special one but wasn’t big enough to house everything Ruth has planned. This is not just a retail space though, Atelier 27 is a truly fantastic business model where everything works in complete harmony. There is an Incubation space and retail design studio in the process of being set up over three floors where young fashion graduates will be able to manufacture and then sell their designs. The very popular Sip and Stitch classes are being expanded into a fully blown sewing school and will offer a variety of courses which will be taught by some of the in- house designers and will go from beginner level to advanced highly technical tailoring and dressmaking skills.
Of course the shop is as delectable as ever with it’s mix of colourful, quirky and vintage clothes along with accessories with that ‘must have’ appeal and all at very reasonable prices.
The picture above beautifully executed by one very gorgeous little girl got me thinking. Sadhbh has put a crown on Sophie’s head, a necklace and bracelet on her, a lovely dress and by all accounts lashings of mascara. You could argue that this is a conditioned response from a child exposed to all the influences to be fashionable and dress up. My argument is that this is a natural response, think of the pictures painstakingly etched onto the cave walls of our ancestors depicting women adorned in the jewels of the time. Even cave women wanted to look good. It’s normal for us women to want present ourselves at our best, to wear makeup and great clothes. It is certainly not frippery or an irrelevance.
Mary Portas Secret Shopper, is the new programme on Chanel 4 and just what’s needed. An expose of the dire service on the High Street, think Zara, H&M and Penney’s and her hands on common sense approach to making improvements. The High Street chains were a direct response to the Independent Boutiques who offer such a valuable service and great value to their customers. They saw how well they were doing and set about to take their business. Cheap cheap disposable clothes is fine for the very young who are themselves forever changing. It’s not okay for those of us who appreciate good quality clothing, beautiful cuts in good fabrics that we can adapt and wear again and again. I’m predicting an end to fast fashion and back to basic good old fashioned service. So, support the Independent Boutiques, their buyers are out there at the moment choosing the best of the collections from all over the world to bring to you.
Ever since I was a child I was fascinated by all things miniature. I used to collect doll house furniture and miniature teddy bears. I still collect the bears, the tinier the better and I’ve got several. I’m talking about perfect recreations of the full size items only in miniature. Today I came across the Japan Trend Shop and found these chairs which are perfect replicas of modern furniture 1/12 scale. I just had to share them with you as I think they are just perfect. They are totally frivolous but I do love them. There are several editions in the range and nine chairs costs $159.
The last time I came across anybody wearing odd shoes was in my Neurologists rooms in the Mater Hospital last year. I was going for a check up and before I had time to relay my woes he pointed to his feet. One brown shoe and one black! In fairness neurology is a highly academic discipline and he did explain that he had got dressed in the dark. I forgave him and he is still my doctor though it did cross my mind that this was perhaps a step (forgive the pun) too far.
I can’t quite make up my mind yet about Helena Bonham Carter actually choosing to do this for her turn on the red carpet at the Golden Globes last night. Quirky certainly, a fashion statement , I will leave you to decide that one.
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Brilliant actress cross (shoe) dresser Helena Bonham Carter Last Night
The great success of the Buy My Dress Online.ie website has resulted in a shortage of dresses. The website is the main source of funding for the Down Syndrome Centre. I don’t know about you but I am in the middle of having a big wardrobe purge. I’m making space for all the fabulous Spring clothes I ordered for myself from Jaeger (one perk I get for being an Agent) I can’t remember what I ordered so I’m looking forward to the surprises in store. Anyway back to the matter in hand. I have at least one good dress that I’m willing and happy to give to this charity even if I decide to sell the others on Face Book or eBay. The charity makes it very easy to donate and all the information is on their website. Take a look at the video below and then grab something decent that you aren’t going to wear again and donate it. The dress will get a good home and you will feel good. A ‘No Brainer’ in any ones book.
Two Press events today, the first at Brown Thomas which more about tomorrow and the second was a few steps away at River Island. Accompanied by friend stylist Cathy O’Connor (she with the super eye and gentle ways) and Sunday Independent Beauty Columnist, new friend, Triona MacCarthy (oh, how I would love her job). We were all on our good behaviour at the BT event that I’m afraid we got a bit giddy on Grafton Street, (it was probably all my fault) and I’m sure the lovely people who greeted us in River Island thought we were mad as hatters. I should probably just speak for myself here though as the other two were perfect!
Triona MacCarthy
Cathy O'Connor and Triona MacCarthy frolicking today
The fashion was fresh, lots of butter tones with some gorgeous pinks and reds, great accessories and a lovely children’s offer. The little girl collection in particular doesn’t smack of mini-me, just girlie and I loved it. The strong Dhalia Maxi with the big corsage belt has me reaching for my dumb bells for those Michelle Obama arms that I don’t have at present. I love the cowboy boots they have as I’m an old cowgirl at heart. Glad to see that some of the bags have removable label tags as the one thing about River Island I find very off putting is the big logo in full view. Oh, and guess what, turbans are on offer too!
When I met my friend the Stylist, designer and fashionista extraordinaire Maria Fusco she was wearing a Turban with a beautiful jewel right in the middle. I have been looking for one ever since. Prada showed them on the catwalk last season and Kylie caused a tiny stir when she was papped in one but sadly this doesn’t seem to be a trend that’s taking off. Another great style over fashion idea that’s worth logging in the back of the brain. The idea of hiding the hair, adding jewels and a pair of sunglasses looks to me like the height of glamour. Now to buy one somewhere…. ? The only place I could find some (dodgy) ones was on the website The Find. I’ll have to ask Maria when we meet for coffee next.
Monochrome, the new buzz word for ‘black and white ‘ has always been a stylish move especially at the start of the spring season when we are bursting to inject a little summer into our wardrobes but aren’t ready yet for the brights. This season it’s not only stylish but definitely in fashion too. Whether that gives you any comfort or means anything at all one thing is for sure, Black and White is a look we can all do and look good in. Makeup early in the season will work the look with red lipstick and simple eye makeup. Chanel’s new nail polish colours for Spring due out soon are,I’m told, pearlised black and pearlised white which sound gorgeous.
Jaeger is paving the way with its monochrome to start the season off and deliveries are due into the boutiques and Stores in the next couple of weeks. Key pieces heralding the new season?Jaeger London‘simpeccably tailored ivory blazer with black asymmetric lapel, the elegant and utterly cool waistcoat dress, the thoroughly modern silk geometric shift and the monochrome one-shouldered floral dress.
Irish Jaeger stockists include: Serena, Sandymount, Isobel Adare, Mezina Drumcondra, Kokoon Malahide, Nestors Galway, Couture Naas, Mc Elhinney Ballbofey, The Whyte House Westport, Modern Fashions Dundalk, , Arnotts Dublin, Boutique Belle, Clintons Clonmel, McElhinney Ballybofey Donegal
I’m like a lot of women when it comes to jeans, very very fussy. My one pair of hold you in everywhere Jeans finally fell apart a few of weeks ago. They weren’t perfect, the cut was great but they had too much stretch in them so while they were good when just washed a few hours later they were sagging rather than hugging. I’ve been searching for a new pair for weeks, replacing the old were just too expensive to contemplate at €130. I am prepared to pay around the €100 mark but no more.
Now here comes the magic bit. As a Fashion Agent I get constant approaches from companies asking me to represent them in Ireland and sometimes I find companies and make approaches to them enquiring as to whether they are interested in my services. A while ago I sent an email to Sally Allen the owner of Wizard Jeans. The description of the jeans sounded good, photographs of jeans are hard to call but the prices were also good value if the description lived up to the claims. Wizard jeans ( I wasn’t too pushed on the name ) I read have the same effect as the old ‘roll-ons’ I remember my Mum wearing but they are bonded to the material and claimed to be very comfortable. This week a parcel of Wizard Jeans arrived on my desk for me to try. I wasn’t holding out much hope at all but they are sheer MAGIC, holding me in, in all the right places, comfortable and looking good. I washed them twice just to double check and no problems there, they hold their shape and don’t lose anything. Today I phoned Sally and I’m delighted to say that these great Jeans will be available in Ireland and will retail for around €100.
There are terrific stone washed denims in straight and boot cut and black and white denim which will be super for Summer which hopefully is just around the corner. The White jeans have the bonding throughout the whole garment so no see through and great smoothing so if you are going to do the white jeans thing these are just the ticket. Coming to an Irish boutique/store soon….
Full-Rise
The black jeans and the new ‘indigo’ boot cut jeans (as seen on Fiona Bruce) – are a full-rise jean (33″ inside leg) with a special technology bonded into the denim fabric which goes from the waist down to and including the top of the thighs – which lifts the bottom, lifts and holds in the stomach and gives a very flattering contour to the hips. It works a bit like an old fashioned ‘roll on girdle’ but you don’t feel it because it is bonded into the fabric and is extremely comfortable
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