Nicky's Rag Tales

Irish Celebs Party at Sundance

Nicky Harris — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:18:42 +0000

Good to know that Cillian Murphy and rising celeb actress daughter Eve Hewson are having fun at the Sundance film festival that kicked off in Utah last weekend and goes on until the end of January.

Over five nights the Grey Goose Blue Door pop-up club hosted a series of premiere parties for movies being screened at the festival and launched the sixth season of the acclaimed TV documentary series, Iconoclasts, produced by Grey Goose Entertainment. Guests in attendance included Ireland’s Cillian Murphy, whose new film Red Lights also starring Robert De Niro, Sigourney Weaver and Elizabeth Olsen was shown at the Grey Goose Blue Door. Also in attendance was Eve Hewson, daughter of Bono and Ali Hewson, who stars along Sean Penn in This Must be the Place, which also premiered at the festival.

Fashion war heats up in India

Nicky Harris — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:45:30 +0000

The top designers are heavily targeting both India and China to market their wares. Chanel did Bombay Chic in a very stylish way but Hermes upped the ante when they launched their ‘limited edition’ (read trial) collection of luxury Saris in Mumbai recently. A clever move one might think as they only had to expand their already large scarf collection for this venture. It transpires that the local traditional Sari companies that have been servicing this traditional Indian market ( A good Sari will set you back about 2,000-3000 dollars) are up in (bare) arms telling the Hermes company that they should leave this area to them. The Hermes Sari’s sell from between $6,000 and $8,000.

Personally I have always loved them but felt that if I tried to wear one It would look like fancy dress. Apparently if they are put on correctly one could run a marathon without fear that it would unravel !!!!

Hermes Sari

If you ever wanted to try your hand at wearing a Sari here’s a little ‘How to” video which looks like it might actually be possible with a little practice!

Brown Thomas Spring Summer 2012

Nicky Harris — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:29:21 +0000

Tiptoeing Towards Spring

Nicky Harris — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:17:07 +0000

January can be a pig of a month. We all spent too much in December, the weather is miserable and we are all feeling, well, a little bit flat. This is the time of year when I surround myself with friends who are a ray of sunshine and who are always positive. Now I’m not talking happy clappy here just good sensible women who keep a positive outlook and look to the future with new ideas. Customers are calling and ordering dresses in bright colours for immediate delivery as they are so over the sales. Lots of us with Spring weddings and events to go for are thinking about what we will be wearing and value has never been better. I just can’t wait for the blue skies and the new clothes to put a big spring in our step as we tiptoe or rather march towards Spring!

Irish designer Helen McAlinden moved to 20 Sth William St some time ago but her particular brand of really smart womans clothing has not changed and I was happy to get some images of her new collection in my mail box today. These are the pieces I particularly liked.

Killing for Sarah Lunds Jumper

Nicky Harris — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:13:10 +0000

Sarah Lunds favorite jumpers by nickysragtales featuring long sleeve tops

Sofie Grabol is Sarah Lund in the TV hit series ‘The Killing’. Made in Denmark in Danish with English subtitles it had more viewers than Mad Men. I taped the second series and just finished watching the whole thing and I loved it. Sarah Lund is one confident detective and not in the Helen Mirren suited sexy type. Sarah Lund wears little makeup and doesn’t try much at all which is why she is so endearing a character. Sofie chose the clothes for the character and she hit on the hand knit jumpers that I am so in love with from the small Faroe Island company Gudrun and Gudrun. I couldn’t take my eyes off the jumpers though she doesn’t seem to change them that often. A throw back to the 70′s they remind me of a hand knit jumper that I wore to death and that I have been searching for ever since. I have just found it.

A LBD is the perfect New Years Eve party dress

Nicky Harris — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:36:29 +0000

As we head towards 2012 and all that the new year will bring we can celebrate in style and what better way to dress than with a LBD, the staple of every woman’s wardrobe whatever her age. I tend to wear a small brightly coloured scarf at my neck whenever I’m wearing all black as an accent to brighten my face. After a certain age all black can be a little too draining on my skin tone. So here are a few gorgeous LBD’s to wet your appetite. The shoes are rather delicious though I tend to think that personally I would need a taxi and then a bevy a lithe slaves to carry me Cleopatra style around the place as walking wouldn’t really be an option in these heels! I have never quite managed the high heel walk that young women these days are so adept at. One of my (lesser) new years resolutions will be to try to learn to walk in heels!

LBD New Years Eve by nickysragtales featuring bow heels

It was only a matter of time…

Nicky Harris — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:12:21 +0000

The idea of a pair of shoes with removable heels that can be changed depending on which height you prefer has finally arrived. A practical idea and one of those that you say to yourself ‘now why didn’t I think of that”? These shoes look a tad cheap to me and I would want a better quality shoe to warrant the price tag.

Something for Christmas for all print designers

Nicky Harris — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:24:17 +0000

When I was at the Arnotts press day last week I spotted a great competition for all print designers. It’s a collaboration with betafashion.com which is worth a look at to see what’s what and the winning scarf will be made and sold in Arnotts in March.

River Island looks forward to a bright Summer

Nicky Harris — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:40:57 +0000

Bright and light can best describe what will be in store from early January. River Island takes several themes from the past which merge to give a collection infused with colour, print and texture. Latin America evoking heat and a distinctly sexy vibe sits side by side with pretty pastels, florals and prints. The early 90′s sit side by side with the 70′s hippy look. All the trends are feminine and fun, pastels and chiffon in baby pinks and soft yellows look perfectly happy with the more purist clean silhouettes and casual tailoring. One of my favorites is the perennial ethnic trend that River Island continues to do to perfection.

Arnotts Press Day Spring Summer 2012

Nicky Harris — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:49:40 +0000

Being transported into the glamorous world of cinematic elegance on a chilly day in Dublin is no mean feat but that’s exactly what Arnotts managed to accomplish today when they showcased their Spring Summer collections to the Press. From the heady 20′s came nudes, metallics and beautiful embellished pieces new collection Anderson & Lauth as well as Hoss Intropia and Badgley Mischka. Soft feminine print dresses from Anna Sui (new to Arnotts from February) are simply beautiful and reminders of Summer parties. While Tara Jarmon, Jaeger and NW3 all do the classics superbly. The Victoria Beckham jeans and silk vest T’s are perfect while Vivienne Westwood Anglomania for Lee look gorgeous.
accessories that I particularly liked came from Hoss Intropia and Zac P while Coach is taking centre stage having made its debut this season.

Anderson & Lauth

Hoss Intropia

Badgley Mischka

ZacP