Nicky's Rag Tales

Vintage finds by nickysragtales featuring Miu Miu shoes

Vintage, has, it seems always been around and I for one, adore it. Problem is finding really good vintage pieces worthy of precious wardrobe space is a challenge which sometimes feels insurmountable. Vintage clothing, like everything else only truly works if it is of the best quality. There are rails and rails of vintage rubbish at over inflated prices easily available and the odd find in charity shops but this website has the best that I have come across. Atelier-Mayer.com is a feast for the eyes (and perhaps the flashing of the plastic). The descriptions of each piece are painstaking, which hopefully avoids possible fit mistakes and in vintage you have to be very careful, those women often had waists in true Barbie proportions with underwear that pulled them in so tight it’s a wonder they were able to draw breath at all. The outfits above, with the exception of the shoes are all from Atelier-mayer.com (I’m superstitious about second hand shoes)

The Art of Drawing Fashion is one that was an often neglected art form and thirty years ago when Munich born Joelle Chariau started collecting fashion illustration, she had no problem gathering them since no one wanted them. Her collection ‘Drawing Fashion’ covers the 20th and 21st century from Galerie Bartsche Chariau and is being shown for the first time in London this coming November. Co -curated by fashion historian Colin McDowell with multi media additions, this will undoubtedly be a most interesting, not to be missed exhibition should you find yourself in London later in the year.

The Design Museum situated on the Thames by Tower Bridge is the venue for this exhibition drawn from the collections of Dior, Comme des Garcons, Chanel, Victor & Rolf, Poiret, Lacroix and Mc Queen. Illustrated by Erte, Lepape, Rene Gruau, Antonio and Mats Gustafson.

From November 17th-6th March, accompanying book to be published by Prestel

Try as I might I trawled for some interesting thought provoking news items to awaken those brain buds but I couldn’t find a single item worth sharing. Lots of boring stuff but perhaps I wasn’t looking in the right places? I have been indoors in my showroom all last week selling the Jaeger collection for next Spring Summer and have been really busy which of course I’m certainly thankful for. It does mean however that the only news I gleaned was what the best sellers are, how the collection goes together and the names of lots of new customers.

I did stumble on this product that’s so totally stupid it was worthy of sharing on that basis alone. Cat food scented soap which I found on Style.com If you want to attract cats then this is for you. It costs $5.99 a bar and if you really really want it then get in touch and I will give you the email address where it can be ordered. I will also dispense some other advise which I will call ‘tough love’ here (though I would really like to call it something else entirely…. )

Sunny Summer days such as this one remind me of endless happy holidays in Wicklow where as a child I spent the whole Summer. Occasionally the family would visit Mount Usher Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland so as I headed down to visit Boutique Belle (which is just across the road from the gardens and tea rooms) the sun shone and happy memories flooded in.
Each time I visit this boutique I always fall in love with something, so entering dangerous territory, I thought that the pretext of writing a post would protect me but of course that excuse fell immediately I walked in. Visiting this boutique is easy as there is parking right outside, when I stepped in two customers were busily trying on dresses. All I could hear was the laughter and oohs and aahs!

Two happy customers wearing dresses by 'Stop Staring'

Boutique Belle has all the ingredients of a great boutique, a fabulous selection of hand picked clothing which gives women great choice. A selection of some of best Irish and International designers and a range of accessories plus first class service in a very relaxed atmosphere.

Susan and Ciara agreed after some gentle persuasion to try on some of the clothes.

Kate + Ava dress

Ciara in Shearling Jacket by Oakwood €260

Susan in Latina plum and taupe dress €150 Tights by Falke Shoes by Hoss €215

Butter by Nadia Jump suit that also works as trouser

Butter By Nadia is an amazing label which started with the iconic signature multi wear jersey dress. This season as well as the signature dresses there are tops, trousers and dresses which can all be worn in several ways. The fab jump suit is also an evening trouser!

Butter By Nadia trouser as above, now worn with top also Butter By Nadia

Miss Double Trouble is the name of this Skirt/dress combination from Butter By Nadia

Option 1, Butter By Nadia 'Miss Double Trouble'

option 2

option 3

Donegal tweed trousers, Unicorn €265, Set shirt €55, Susanna Grogan silk scarf €66 Belt €55

Hoss shoes €225

Oakwood leather Jacket €355

All above clothes now on the rails at Boutique Belle, Kingfishers, Ashford Co Wicklow Ireland T. +353 404 42757

PS. I left with an amazing dress which I can’t wait to wear by New York label ‘Stop Staring’ a real Mad Men show stopper!

Leather is the best transitional fabric to take you from Summer to Autumn and from Winter to Spring. That’s double wear so really good value using a wear to cost ratio. Muubaa is on everyones radar as a really good value leather brand that’s really rocking the trend. Sunday Times Style magazine had Muubaa as one the best kept secrets and every star has been photographed wearing them from Cheryl Cole to Halle Berry.

I’ve been really lucky because I have all the samples in my showroom, they came to me almost as a gift from heaven, I exaggerate, they came from the Muubaa team reading my blog. I kid you not! They arrived in last week and I am wearing a different one every day! Muubaa (or Cowsound,sheepsound) leather is super soft and really comfy to wear. Coming to Ireland’s best boutiques soon.

Leather Heaven by nickysragtales featuring MuuBaa jackets

I’m in the middle of watching all the episodes of Mad Men and just love love love it. The clothes, the authentic bad behaviour, the constant smoking, drinking, womanising , the wonderful clothes and of course the gorgeous Don, and all with great story lines and acting thrown into the mix. I just saw on Twitter that Mad Men are auctioning on e-Bay lots of clothes and props from series three starting at 10EST today for charity. The three dresses above are in the auction. So girls, fingers at the ready, poised at the keyboard, ready, steady, go…..

TV3’s Style Wars final episode aired on the 3rd August and this evening I met up with Holly Shortall, one of the three finalists and the youngest contestant at only 21years old. I have to admit to not watching all the episodes but I did catch the last few and they made great TV . Holly certainly surprised the judges and in particular Mentor Professor Angela Woods, Head of Design at NCAD . Prof Woods was fantastic and reminded me of The Telegraphs Hilary Alexander. Same no nonsense delivery coupled with terrific knowledge.

We met over coffee in Fallon & Byrne’s after work, me selling in the showroom and Holly on the shop floor in Monsoon on Grafton Street. I started by asking Holly ‘Where to now?’ as it’s obvious that the girl has her future firmly in the world of Fashion. Her ideal job would be freelance stylist and visual merchandiser, or indeed a position where her creative juices would have space to grow.

Marie Kenny, stylist with The Irish Daily Mail ‘You’ magazine is obviously a fan, as tomorrow Holly is spending the day assisting her on a photo shoot taking place in the Pod. I will definitely be checking out the results of that shoot when it goes to print. What Holly lacks in experience is certainly made up for in tenacity and ambition and she told me she would love to recreate the looks that she put together on the final catwalk show on Style Wars. I would love to see them because I didn’t get a good enough look on the show and judging by the reaction they were truly terrific.

I wanted to know all about Caprice, the judges and the other contestants and whether they were coached to say things about each other. Holly told me that the mantra of the show was ‘Just be yourself’ and that nothing at all was scripted. She was very gracious about all her fellow contestants and the judges having definitely learned the first rule of ‘getting on’ which is to stay ‘mum’.

We walked out of Fallon & Byrne and arranged to meet up again next week because I really want to know what Holly does next. A CV that is a whole TV series and the talent and determination that you certainly need to succeed in this business. I can’t wait to find out where she goes from here.

Holly Shortall

Levi’s have discovered that women need jeans that fit. It’s not whether it’s a boot cut or a skinny leg that matters it’s FIT!! Well that’s a surprise (not)! Huge amounts of research have gone into the new Levi’s Curve ID. Lots of research and money and it boils down to three shapes!!! ( there’s a fourth in the pipeline, I’ve heard). The jury will be out on this one until I try them for myself… Now where is the nearest Levi’s shop? PS I’ll let you know when I’ve tried them

I just love the packaging that Marc Jacobs uses in his new fragrance for Men called ‘Bang’. This is the interview where he introduces this new scent for men. When did Men’s ‘After Shave’ become a fragrance? Just wondering….

When I eat meat I don’t think of the cow, or it’s life, or how it met it’s end. I know I should and believe me I’ve tried to be a conscientious vegetarian with a heart but when the barbecue is lit and I can smell the stake sizzling all hope of being a better person goes out the window.

Can the same analogy be drawn with those bargains I sometimes pick up in Penney’s or Zara or even occasionally H+M? Though bargain is stretching it a bit. I can only think of one item in the last two years that was a worthwhile piece of clothing that had longevity built into it. The garment in question is a black long tux blazer that I wear time and time again over jeans and a white shirt.All the other clothes and accessories were huge disappointments as holes suddenly appeared where none were intended or literally fell apart. Of course I never took those pieces back because lets face it if they only cost a tenner my inner voices say ‘I told you so’ or ‘what did you expect’?

Here is news that perhaps should make us think, it comes from Reuters and Associated Press Last Week……….

DHAKA, Bangladesh July 30th — Thousands of Bangladeshi garment workers took to the streets, burning cars and blocking traffic in the capital Dhaka on Friday to protest against a government-announced wage hike that fell far short of their demands.

Police officers said security forces used tear gas and batons Friday to disperse the protesters in central Dhaka, where dozens of garment factories are located.

The angry workers broke into shuttered buildings and set furniture on fire in the heart of Dhaka Friday, the BBC reported.

Officers said several people were injured. The officers spoke on condition of anonymity, citing local briefing rules.

After weeks of violent protests, Bangladesh nearly doubled the minimum monthly wage Thursday for millions of workers in the key export garment industry to 3,000 taka ($43) from 1,662 taka, but it fell far short of labor union demands of 5,000 taka. The increase will take effect on November 1, 2010.

Dhaka July 30th Garment workers riot and the police wield batons

On a lighter note entirely Emma Watson has morphed into Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby by chopping her hair. she posted this image on Facebook last week. This is how I wore my hair as a teenager so I have some inkling of what this is all about. Of course Emma Watson is a really beautiful girl but I’m left wondering if this is truly a trend likely to take off?

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