Nicky's Rag Tales

I keep meeting people that are friends on Facebook or Twitter before I have actually met them in the flesh so to speak. Tonight I added three FB friends to the ‘turned into real ones’ variety but this evening I was so disorganised that I actually turned up to Arnotts early and had to leave and come back. Leaving at 7 O’Clock is quite problematic and as I arrived out onto Henry Street all I could think of was safety, where to go for half an hour this side of town alone? I headed up to an Asian Buffet place, eat all you can for €6.49 and even though I wasn’t at all hungry there was no option but tuck into a plate of noodles and rice and chicken stir fry. So, full of Asian promise and with no sign of any ill effects I arrived at the launch of Peter O’Briens capsule collection for Arnotts. I was greeted by Monica Murray and Maria Fusco, both friends. It’s always good to find a friend at these events because there is always an amount of hanging around before the main event. It’s also important to have a glass in your hand, it feels a little like a comfort blanket. Mine was filled to the brim with water as I was stopped and breathalyzed once after one glass of wine and the shock of the experience ( It took three tries to finally blow hard enough) was enough to make me decide that even one glass of wine and driving are not for me.

Grace Moore, Holly Shortall and David Greene ex Style Wars at the Peter O'Brien Launch

I also discovered that my camera battery was so low it was running on a wing and a prayer and I had no spare. I also bumped into Brenda from Electronic Sheep and promptly forgot her name. A cardinal sin of mine that is inexcusable but at my age I think there is little hope of redemption. So more than slightly disorganised I managed to get some nice images which I think capture the flavour of this capsule wardrobe comprising 23 pieces. Navy, Black and Camel with a dash of white are the main colous and the collection comprises Wool Cashmere coats, a slim and classic trouser, silk blouses, a pencil skirt and four dresses. Ladylike and classic, Arnotts seems like a natural home for this collaboration unlike his previous one with A-Wear which was for me a mismatch.

Any regular readers of this blog know by now that I have a particular fondness for Irish Design but only when it is on a par with some of the best outside of this small Island. Kate and Ava, AKA Kate Reilly and Ava Cassidy are two friends who have been designing and producing some really rather beautiful clothes. I bought one of their dresses last year and it is one of those wardrobe staples that has already more than paid for itself in terms of value. Kate and Ava have unique and rather beautiful ideas which they manage to translate into gorgeous wearable clothing. Each season sees the collection developing which all adds up to a very ladylike wardrobe which is full of rich colour, simple design in beautiful fabric. Here is a little offering of what’s in store for this coming Autumn /Winter Season

Blouson top Dress

Stockists in Ireland include Boutique Belle, Ashford, Seagreen, Monkstown and County Boutique, Ennis

for a full list go to the Kate and Ava website.

I’ve known about Petria Lenihan’s plans for a second Dolls boutique partnered by a cafe run by Petria’s super chef sister Maisha for sometime and I knew it was open but was saving it up for a day when I knew I needed a little cheering up. Deirdre Mc Quillan (Irish Times fashion editor) has been raving about it to me for some time and told me it had become a community central point for the largely residential area off the South Circular Road. Last week I dropped by and met designer Richard Lewis with his dog as he was just leaving Bibi’s cafe. Petria tells me he is a regular.

The South Circular area was inhabited by many of the Irish Jewish community and when I was a child this is where we came to visit aunts, go the Kosher butcher, bring my brother to the Jewish school on Bloomfield avenue and where I spent many Sunday mornings in the Jewish deli collecting bagels, smetana , smoked salmon and chopped herring for our usual Sunday family brunch. The area has moved on since then and become uber trendy, inhabited by artists, artisans, designers and chic families.

Dolls boutique is filled with fabulous clothes, shoes and accessories and I can only advise a visit. Of course you won’t be able to resist the adjoining Bibi’s cafe with it’s mouth watering cakes and food. When I arrived it was around 12 mid day and was filling up fast. I did a vox pop among some of the customers about to settle down for lunch. One of them said ‘This is nicer than anything in Notting Hill’ and another added that it ‘feels like you are on holiday‘!

If you live in the area then you are already a regular and if not then you soon will be. An ideal spot to browse for fabulous understated wearable and beautiful clothes and gifts and a fantastic venue for a quick or better still lazy lunch.

Doll's & Bibi's Cafe on the corner of Emorville Road Dublin 8

Petria (left) and her sister Maisha

Inside Dolls on Emorville Ave/Ovoca Rd

One of a selection of quirky bags

Inside Bibi's

Petria's dog resides here

Dolls & Bibi’s is on the corner of Emorville Ave, & Ovoca rd, Dublin 8 off the South Circular Road and 10 minutes from Grafton Street

Opening Times Tues-Sat 10am-6pm

Thursdays 10am-9pm

Closed Mondays

+353 1 4736256

Dolls is also open at it’s original location 32b Westbury Mall, Clarendon Street, Dublin 2

Yesterday I spent all day at Heidi Higgins Fashion shoot for her Autumn/Winter collection. This is my story of the days events. It all started for me at 6am. I loaded the car with several bags full of shoes, hosiery, gloves, jewellery and hats and of course my picnic basket stuffed with good cheeses, bread and crackers plus a bag of energy food (nuts). A last minute change of location which nearly scuppered the whole event meant that we were now heading for a stud farm in the midlands. I had my fingers crossed as I headed to pick up the model Laoise Quinn from Morgan Model agency. At 7.30 am we were heading on the open road, Laoise slept while I fought sleep and we arrived at the Hotel where we would be based at 8.30. Heidi and I were on the phone and as she collected the clothes and headed to us the make up artist Sinead Flanagan arrived and as there was a race against time from the start Laoise settled onto the make up chair and we discussed the theme for the day so Sinead could work her magic.

Scene One, The Hotel Bedroom. Present: Model, Laoise, Designer, Heidi, Heidi’s Assistants, her Dad Leo, Laura and Jaclyn, Makeup Artist, Aoife Callaghan,Photographer German Collins (pronounced herman, with an Argentinian accent), his assistant Fiona, Hairdresser, Alfredo, Stylist, Sinead Flanagan and me.

The Scene is set; Act one

Aoife Callaghan working on Laoise 9am Friday 11th June

Alfredo gets started.

Themes for the shoot under discussion

Tear Sheets to mull over

Jaclyn starts to tape up one of the pairs of shoes to protect them, a task repeated many times through the day

Scene 2; On Location( which will remain secret.) Suffice to say it is a very large stud farm, very beautiful and very quiet. The weather is perfect and we are all anxious to get through two distinct stories and 16 separate changes of outfits. Heidi is like a whirlwind and totally focused on what needs to be done and her work ethic and passion is infectious. I go ahead with German, Leo and German’s assistant to do a rekkie while the others are back in the Hotel preparing the clothes. Laoise is in hair and make-up. As each outfit is put together with a tear sheet attached it is hung in the small bathroom.

Everyone gathers at the Stud Farm, it is now 11.30 and there is a lot of work to get through. This whole event is very costly and Heidi’s Autumn Winter publicity hinges on everything going to plan. There are several fabulous photographs needed at the end of the day. It looks like a tall order as each change takes some time.

First find somewhere to put the clothes so the model can change and the makeup artist can work. We find a tack room which smells none too good but needs must and there is no time to lose. The rail of clothes is wheeled in. Everyone has their job to do and watching everyone focused is incredible. The hairdresser moves each hair in place, the photographer checks the light and moves the model who works incredibly hard and totally focused. She moves smoothly and quickly into different poses, listens to the direction of the photographer with all of us watching and has no problems as she is totally professional. It all hinges on Laoise getting it right. It’s up to all of us to place everything correctly. We move her, poke her, prod her and she never makes even a slight grimace. If anyone ever says the job of a model is easy they are wrong, full stop.

Fiona and Laoise survey the Tack (changing) room

Meanwhile the work of the yard goes on...

Jim who tells me he never looks at the Internet!

Scene ; The real work begins…

One of many touch ups

German Collins at work

Emergency supplies

Heidi working at perfecting the image

I go on ahead to find the next location and this is it.

Heidi and German head for the Bridge

Fiona sits on the fence

Nearly the end of the day, Heidi with her best man, Dad, Leo

A model smiles and it's a wrap!

I arrived home at 11 pm last night shattered. The location ended up better than the original planned. The model was superb and the whole crew were delightful and focused on the work to be done. I can’t wait to see the final photographs and just want to thank Heidi for allowing me to be there to capture some of the work of the day.

Nothing strikes more fear in us ladies than the thought of getting an outfit for the races. Ascot starts next week and here in Ireland the Derby is a few weeks away with the Galway festival later on next month. So what to wear? and more importantly how to wear it. As a regular race goer who loves the whole racing atmosphere I’m constantly amazed at how many of us get it so wrong.

So, here are a few simple rules to ensure that even if you are not out to win ‘Best Dressed’ you will look great and be comfortable for what is a marathon in more ways than one!

Rule number 1 Don’t try too hard. In other words keep it simple.

Rule number 2 Wear an extravagant hat with a plain outfit and a plain hat with an embellished outfit.

Rule number 3 Do not wear strapless dresses, mini’s or micro’s, flipflops or a few feathers stuck on the top of your head. These rules apply whatever your age.

Rule number 4. Don’t wear a body con dress unless you can seriously pull it off

Rule number 5. Wear court shoes or smart kitten heals which are back in fashion. Bring a flat pair of shoes with you if foot pain sets in. Paula Rowan Dublin, has some super shoes which are both gorgeous and reasonably priced. You might also consider a pair of leather gloves and a clutch bag to match.

Rule number 6. Think of these words, appropriate, flattering, simple, modest, demure, pretty. All of these looks are bang on trend whatever your age.

Rule number 7. Do have a dress rehearsal in front of a full length mirror.

Rule number 8. Dress for the weather. Just because it’s Summer doesn’t mean it will be sunny and warm. It may be rainy and cold. Wear summer colours but cover your shoulders and have an umbrella ready if needed. There are some gorgeous ones available which can make a good accessory. Chica boutique in the Westbury Mall has some gorgeous cream parasol/umbrellas which look perfect.

Rule number 9. If you love hats then go to a good milliner for advice. The days of the huge hats are so 90′s. There are some really beautiful ones being made in Ireland. ( Check out Linda McKay). Alternatively buy a vintage head piece or add a corsage to a cheap straw hat. Just make sure they are secure on your head and bring extra hair pins with you.

Rule number 10. Don’t drink too much. There is nothing worse looking than a drunk woman no matter how beautifully dressed. Smile lots and above all have fun.

Designer Heidi Higgins perfectly dressed for the Races. Winner all right!

The last week in the showroom was a very busy one. Fantastic new holiday samples arrived from Yummie Tummie just in time for the press day in Brown Thomas next week. Orders came in nice and steady and I’m noticing that they are getting bigger. Some agents in the business dictate minimum orders from retailers. This is something I have never done, prefering to build a business slowly and letting the customer decide.

I also interviewed several interns for Heidi Higgins and this was something that was both interesting and uplifting. Fashion students came with their portfolios, their samples and their dreams. The chance to work with Heidi is of course a fantastic opportunity for a fashion student who aspires to work their way into the real business of fashion. I loved them all, their passion, their hard work and their obvious talent. I wish I could have offered all of them positions but alas there is only one for now at least. I’m pretty sure Heidi has the right student and that it will be a mutually beneficial Summer Internship.

Also into the showroom came Louise O’Leary who makes the Loulloubelle range of handcrafted leather bags. I promised her I would take a critical look at them and give my honest opinion. The leather is sumptuous and the very best quality. Each bag is a limited to 100 pieces and is hand dyed using tradition techniques that are not only the best, but ethically sound. I absolutely love the big bag and I suggested that I would love a smaller version with a shoulder strap?

Mushroom and Silver Louloubelle Bags Clutch

There was only one piece of news this week for me. Heidi Higgins winning best dressed at Punchestown on Friday. I’ve known Heidi for the past year and hope that I have become a mentor of sorts. A few weeks ago whilst having a chat in my showrooms , (actually Heidi chats and I listen) she mentioned she was going to enter Best Dressed at Punchestown. I said I would be there and thought she would have a great chance. At almost 25 years of age it’s almost unbelievable that the designs and quality of her collection is one that is both mature and fresh and I love her use of colour and simplicity of design. Of course Heidi is the best advert for her clothes and she always looks stunning.

Did I see her winning? Did I even know Heidi won? Was I at the races at all? The truth is that as much as I love fashion and dressing up for Punchestown I’m actually far more interested in the actual racing! I read the race card, study the form and when I can, place my (small) bets in the betting ring rather than on the Tote. So, on Friday, my friend Moyra and I parked ourselves right outside the champagne bar at a table with a great view of the final fence and the winning post and that is where I stayed for most of the day.

Yesterday I called Heidi to discuss the Interns that I am about to interview for her next week and during the conversation she finally asked me if I had been at Punchestown on Friday and did I know she had won the competition. I was gobsmacked and absolutely delighted and while we were talking dashed to the nearest newsagents to see Heidi in her beautiful blue dress and jacket photographed on the cover of every paper in town! We both agreed that you couldn’t buy that level of publicity. I predicted a great future for the Heidi Higgins Label last year and I was right. I had two great wins on the horses on Friday but backing Heidi Higgins is proving far more satisfying!

Heidi Higgins in her Portlaoise Studio/Boutique

Selina (my assistant) in Heidi Higgins Boutique/Studio

There was great excitement in the town of Portlaoise this evening as Heidi Higgins opened her Couture Design Studio. I travelled by train from Dublin to be there and was delighted with what I found. Heidi Higgins has hit the world of Irish Fashion design in a whirlwind with several feature articles in the Press and Fashion Editors writing great reviews. A very young designer with a mature outlook and a huge amount of talent should translate into a huge success. Heidi built up a large fan base during her time in The Loft in Dublin but has now taken the decision to continue to build the business from her home base where she can design, sell and interact with customers. Consolidating and building are what can take a small business to the next stage and this move should enable that development.

Heidi’s dresses are easy to wear during the day yet certainly stylish enough to go to any special event. They are cut as only experienced designers can cut and the fabrics are the very best from around the world. By visiting Heidi’s studio you can find out a little of what goes into the design process.

Working in beautifully cut fabrics using striking colours of Jade, Blackberry purple, hot pink, Lemon and Ocean Blue and providing a bespoke service at reasonable prices adds up to a really fantastic range of dresses and Jackets for this Spring Summer. I have already picked my Summer Dress from the collection which appeals to my Mad Men fixation and which Heidi will make a little longer for me. I also loved the great selection of fabulously practical work wear/laptop bags from Penelope & Parker in luxury leather which are also on sale.

The train ride from Dublin was a very comfortable hour long journey and the Boutique/Studio which houses Heidi’s full collection is a stones throw from the train station. Here are some of the pictures I managed to take before we all headed around the corner to Jim’s Country Kitchen to listen to live music, sip prosecco and eat some tasty morsels. It’s a hard life this Fashion Business !!!!

Heidi Higgins

Penelope&Parker Workwear/Laptop Bag

Heidi Higgins Store & Studio No 27 Church Street Portlaoise Ireland T. +353 (0)57 868 9027 Bespoke Items can be tailored to specification

Sharon Beatty’s Maven Boutique on Dublin’s Aungier Street has gathered a huge following for the beautiful designer labels she has brought to her delightful emporium. One of the exclusive designer labels she carries is from Dublin born Sian Jacobs. Sian designs beautiful cashmere and cashmere/silk knitwear. With an emphasis on detail and in beautiful colours Sian’s Spring Summer collection is a gorgeous collection of luxurious pieces that with care will be worn and cherished over and over.

Inside Maven Boutique

I dropped into Maven and Sharon very kindly showed me some of the new arrivals on the rails……….

Maven Boutique is situated at 64 Aungier Street ( five minutes from Grafton Street) Telephone no. 00353 1 4789226

Last week Paula Rowan launched her Spring Summer Collection of leather gloves, bags and shoes at her leather emporium in Dublin’s Westbury Mall. Paula is the leather goods expert in Ireland with a fantastic selection of high quality leather goods. Watch here to see an interview I did with Paula in her shop…..

Don’t forget to enter the competition to win a fabulous pair of gloves from Paula Rowan. Just register and leave a comment, only 5 days left to be in with a chance!