Nicky's Rag Tales

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 Thomas Arnotts, 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.

Navy is the serious alternative to black this Winter and I know from the sales of Falke 70 and 100 denier navy tights that this is a trend that has taken a firm hold. With its military and school background wearing top to toe navy is not such a strange idea. Perfect for a strong work wear look it smacks of power which given the uncertain times we live in is not a bad idea. Pair a beautiful navy or strong blue pussy bow blouse with a pencil skirt and crombie masculine style coat. Team a pair of navy trousers with a shirt and a pair of brogues. Accessorise with pearls and a vintage navy handbag which are to be found at any of the second hand stores and you will be ready for the most gruelling of business meetings.

When I started watching Mad Men I was totally fascinated by the clothes, hair and makeup. It looked so dated but really fabulous. I found myself looking at every detail, shapes of bras,hosiery, dresses, hair styles, underwear and night wear. Now of course as the Fashion world has embraced the trend it’s not dated at all but very now. It all reminds of my childhood and of my mother who was incredibly stylish and who looked like Don Drapers new secretary in Series four( except my mum had better teeth!). Mum was always organising terrific Children’s birthday parties and spent hours cooking and baking . I particularly remember her reaching for her menthol cigarettes and a glass of wine whenever she sat down to do the crossword.

I have noticed along with the trend for 60′s clothes that hosiery has followed. Back seam tights, sheers, stockings (not quite, but stay ups are selling more) are all having a huge revival. I am predicting that nets are on the way back too. The small variety not the huge saucer holed ones.

Working with Falke puts me right in the middle of watching the trends translate to sales. So for this Autumn opaques are selling well, especially 100 and 50 denier and in tights with shine our 15 denier, 40 and 70′s are flying off the shelves. The High Heel back seams are having a fashion moment and our 8denier series Lunelle in both the peacock stay up and tights are perfect for the sheer leg look.

Fine Nets on the way back

D&G catwalk Autumn sheer tights trend

Falke Lunelle 8 denier

Falke Seidenglatt 40 in platinum or steel

Falke High Heel

Falke hosiery is available in Ireland from Brown Thomas Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. Arnotts, Dublin, Clerys, Dublin , County Boutique Ennis, Gazelle Bantry, Caza Choo, Kilkenny, Compagnie L, Merrion Centre Dublin, Pace, Foxrock and Clontarf. Peaches & Cream Hibernian Way Dublin, Mc Elhinney Ballybofey, Serena Sandymount, Crowley Calnan, Bandon, Lorbees Killaloe, Donnellan Roscommon, Nestors Galway, Fabucci Naas, Boutique Belle Ashford, Bella Sola Newcastle West and leading retailers throughout Ireland.

I have spent the last few days taking part in the September Masterclass, style events taking place in all Brown Thomas stores. Hence the lack of blogs as I drove to various parts of the country and talked Hosiery trends on behalf of Falke to any one who was prepared to listen. In Galway and Limerick I interjected as models paraded up and down the fashion floor showing the latest fa from D&G, DVF, Armani and Marc by Marc Jacobs. I managed to double job by whipping out the camera while perplexed customers looked on, the results of which are below. The staff in each of the stores are without a doubt some of the most professional and passionate shop assistants, lovers of all things fashion who delighted in telling me exactly what their favorite pieces were and what they thought of this seasons trends.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

The famous Houlihans by J Brand

I love this Cardi/Jkt from DVF

Tights by Falke from AutumnWinter 2010 collection

Tan Satchel and Black Clutch Marc Jacobs, sparkly clutch Anya Hindmarch

DVF velvet wrap dress with Shelina tights from Falke

Houlihans with Shoe Boots by Kurt Keiger

All Clothes Shoes bags and hosiery available from Brown Thomas Limerick

There is only one rule in fashion it is that every fashion rule at some point is made to be broken. This Autumn/Winter it’s the wearing of socks. What has, up to now been considered a total faux pas is now de rigeur. It’s open season for socks. Worn with open shoes, over tights, over other socks and with slim trousers tucked into socks. Seen on the catwalks of designers Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Celine & Alexander Wang to name a few. Worn short, knee high, over the knee and thigh high. Worn with bare legs, over hosiery knee highs, worn with sheer or opaque tights. Whatever you’re having yourself mam! Not an easy look to wear and one which can make less than perfect legs look, well yes, less than perfect! If you want to rock this trend without going full on you can show a little sock peeping over a shoe or boot. Light grey sock works well with beige and camel colours and dark grey works with chocolate shades of browns for that country look. Wear black socks over skin tone tights or black opaques with the new (old) calf length skirts.

I will be holding a Falke Hosiery Style workshop in Brown Thomas Galway 2nd Sept, Limerick 3rd Sept, Dublin 4th Sept and Cork 25th September. For further information check out the Brown Thomas website Diary of events

Writing my weekly blog for Irish Boutiques.com I recalled some of the funnier moments from my fashion memory. For example while on my way to my first Falke meeting in London I snagged my brand new Falke tights with my show stopper cocktail ring whilst in the ladies in the airport. Already late I didn’t have time to run to Selfridges and ended up in a Sex Shop where I bought a pair of fish net hold ups. Or my first time attending London Fashion Week when dressed in a cream suit, red coat and orange fringe I was met with a sea of black clad Fashionista’s,(not even a coloured hair clip in sight). I looked like an Irish version of Zandra Rhodes (when she was already out of fashion!) I did get to meet Kate Moss and Vidal Sasoon on that occasion so perhaps my wardrobe mistake had a plus side?

Zandra Rhodes

It’s been a really busy day in the showroom. Ript Fusion arrived in, the samples look great. Ript is the latest shapewear for men in the form of a cool T-shirt which comes in black and white and is offered in round and V neck. It follows the Yummie Tummie shapewear tops for women which are currently selling like hot cakes around the world. It will be interesting to see if Irish men love their love handles or not??? Read more

At this time of year the job of an Agent goes into overdrive in the lead up to the upcoming selling season. One of the tasks entails going to range meetings where we look over and get to know the new collection. It’s always a hugely frustrating exercise as any glaring mistakes in the range have already been produced with little chances of changes possible at this late stage. Usually for example a fabulous garment in a totally wrong colour, or a dress, which you just know should be a couple of inches longer or shorter. There are of course pluses to the range meetings. You get to network face to face with the other agents from around the world and swap woes and positives. Face work in this industry is always important, being seen is all important. Read more