Electronic Sheep are leaping towards Autumn with a wonderful collection of scarves. The iconic signature triangular scarf now comes oversized and for this season the introduction of terrific capes adds to this magical story board. We are loving the graphics adorning all scarves ( I call them comfort blankets) injecting fantastical stories in wonderful colour to wrap around cool bodies. The story for this season is ‘ inspired by the notion of an idle life of splendour, ‘The House of Many Mansions“. Dublin/London designers Helen Delany (who also designed my new banner) and Brenda Aherne are the talent and brains behind Electronic Sheep . Customers across the globe and Press coverage in Elle, Grazia and Vogue just love Electronic Sheep and this new season doesn’t disappoint.
Trade buyers can view Electronic Sheep at London Fashion week and IFC house Fashion City Rm 34 from 7th August
Over the past few weeks Cherly Cole has been spotted wearing Muubaa Leather Jackets numerous times. So, out with Ashley and in with Muubaa! I love this leather company who make really soft leather with flexible wire in the hems which give the jackets a fabulous edgy look. Boutique Belle in Greystones and County Boutique in Ennis are two of the Irish stockists.
I was delighted to be asked to write a post to celebrate Nivea's100th Anniversary and to talk about the current Nivea's A Milllion Moments of Closeness campaign because it really got me thinking about friendship and how the great Social Media debate trundles on. When I started blogging two years ago this month and then embraced both Facebook and Twitter I had no idea what impact it would have on my life. I thought it might help my business but it has brought so much more than that.
There are those who argue that Social Media is driving us apart and is making friendship and relationships both harder and trivial. My experience is exactly the opposite. I have made real friends in the past two years, friendships that stretch across the globe and ones that are not just based on business. I have kept in touch with family members both young and old. Re -connected with childhood friends and got to rediscover family members I had lost touch with. They say the older you get the harder it is to make new friends, that's no longer the case. One of my new friends lives in Chicago, we are planning to meet for the first time in a few weeks and we already know that we will get on after all we have shared so much with each other, secrets and personal stories that have brought both laughter and tears.
So if you are like me and want to embrace friendship and feeling closer then just go to facebook.com/niveaukand have some fun. Upload photo's and be in with a chance of winning one of the 100 £100 prizes. Join in the debate at facebook.com/niveaukand lets make this campaign the success it should be. The world is a small place after all. Who was it that said there are 'no strangers only friends you haven't yet met.' ?
On a dreary Dublin day when it truly already felt Autumnal it was great to view some pieces from collections at the Arnotts Press day. Stand outs for me come from Tara Jarmon in fabulous colour. Jaeger and Aquascutum. Heidi Higgins continues to grow as an emerging serious player on the Irish design front and I’m delighted that my introduction to Arnotts is proving to be such a good venue for the young designer who kicks off this season with a truly beautifully simple outlook. Shapes were slightly more A-line and sumptuous fabrics in stunning colours ensure this collection like last seasons will be a sell out one.
Accessories are a plenty with world leading brand Coach arriving to Ireland in a store within a store for the first time. Bags are stunning and the mens totes and shoulder bags are perfect for either sex. I adore the reversable Totes in particular. A fabulous bag by Radley caught my eye andVivienne Westwood doesn’t disappoint either.
Oh how time flies, it doesn’t seem like six months since I was previewing Spring Summer and now here I was early this morning catching up with fashion friends Bairbre Power, Constance Harris, Celia Holman Lee and Cathy O’Connor . Swapping stories and eagerly watching the beautiful models who showed what is in store for Autumn Winter. There were lots of reminders of the 70′s and 80′s both in colour and shapes. Three quarter reefer coats in tweed, dropped shoulders, purple, mustard and wine tones and chunky knitwear all made an appearance. Lots of satchel bags and ankle boots were on show paired with opaque tights which continue to be the leg covering of choice.
Lots of the collections are already on the rails and this mornings show gave us a really stunningly beautiful preview of some of the main collections on offer. All is well in Brown Thomas and notable stand out labels for me included the Iconic French Vionnet, simple and elegant, Roksanda Illincic in beautifully draped colour, new to Brown Thomas is stylist to the stars first collection, Rachel Zoe with fabulous trouser and tuxedo suits and from Victoria Beckham elegance with a twist.
Kate Middleton wore nude tights and closed shoes throughout her recent Canadian/American first royal Tour with new hubby Prince William. Falke Shelina 12 tights to be precise and here I was wondering why the sales of Summer nude tights have been going through the roof in Brown ThomasArnotts,Clery’s and Boutiques around Ireland. These images came in to my inbox this morning and I’m delighted to share them with you. I do know of course that Royal protocol dictates hosiery and closed shoes but this was already a trend that has been creeping onto the scene and I have happily flagged it before. If you want to look chic, Shelina 12 has a slight shimmer, comes in closed and toeless and there is a toeless version in a Stay Up for those hot days too. It’s the perfect Summer accessory for all those fabulous dresses that will be in Galway next week and beyond.
Here is the main reason I haven’t been posting at my regular rate. Frequent trips to the garden which start at 6am every day have got me slightly pre-occupied! I did however spend some time doing some much-needed ‘Nail Management‘. I just love summer colours on nails though I never do the matching toes and hands thing. At the moment I’m clashing with red toes and orange fingers! Nothing screams Summer like a splash of colour , it’s a really easy way to cheer up the day!
The newest hair trend craze to hit the US and which will be here in a flash (if it isn’t already ) is “feather extensions“. It looks pretty cool and actually very easy to do yourself. At the moment I’m not sure where to get the feathers but I was thinking that “Rory’s Fishing Tackle Shop” in Dublin’s Temple bar would be my first port of call.
Hilary Duff
Not confined to human fashion trends any of our long haired Doggy friends are ideal candidates. This is Lauscha from Oshkosh WI in the US who is an online Doodle friend of my Riley, looking pretty cool. The feathers remain in the hair until they are removed and like hair extensions can be washed as normal.
No doubt all the salons will be offering this soon at big prices but this is one trend you can DIY very easily. The video below was the best I could find! I just have to source the tools and I’ll be giving it a go.
Traveling around and flicking through the fashion show reports I’m always looking at the people who watch the catwalk. The buyers and Fashion Journalists, without doubt they are all dressing down this Summer. Is it old fashioned laziness or, wait for it , an actual trend based on comfort! The Beatle/Chelsea/Winklepicker style boots are a heavy trend that will be a good buy and are available in all the second hand shops if you’re ok with wearing someone else’s shoes. Personally it’s a step too far for me.
I have to admit to having a thing about scarves, all types of scarves. They are timeless and a great investment, they never go out of fashion and are oh so stylish. I love the feeling of luxury wrapped around my neck and what better way to show off a plain black outfit or pull a whole look together. I already represent Electronic Sheep who make the most fabulous creations in wool and I have been looking for a silk scarf collection for ages. Look what arrived from Belgium into my showroom today. beautifully presented and oh so gorgeous they come from Vincenti a great boutique in Belgium whose owner has now brought out her own scarf collection. In silk, fine wool and with embroidery these are simply pure luxury.
