Here goes, a post about hundreds of naked women swimming together at a secret location in Co Sligo on June 25th next. Not the Irish Naturists women’s convention but the now annual liberating Dip In The Nip fundraiser for Cancer services and research in Ireland. This year they hope to raise €100,000. This is the new Ireland and one where we can literally take off our clothes and run into the sea. It has become more than just a fundraiser but a way of saying we will bare all, we are not afraid, we are strong women and we can help others. Lets hope this year it will be warm but no matter the weather it will be a wonderful occasion.
If you have no plans for June 25th and have never considered doing such a thing then perhaps this is for you? If you are one of the top ten fundraisers you will be collecting a fabulous special edition Lady Umbrella T-shirt that was designed especially for the event.
I’m in a Happy St Patrick’s Day mood. Never a one to celebrate by watching parades. Long walks and a half pint of Guinness afterwards is more my style. Green is one of those colours that actually goes with everything though you need to take care near your face as some of the green shades can be a bit sick making! If you think about nature and about all the wonderful shades of green (which never clash and provide a wonderful backdrop for everything that nature has to provide) then you can incorporate one of the fresh shades or khaki for a great Summer perennial colour.
Because of the day that’s in it and because of all the weird and wonderful green ensembles appearing on the streets of Ireland and around the world I thought that the very best you can do as far as the colour green is concerned lies in the handbag department. A green bag adds a splash of colour and goes with absolutely everything. After all the grass is green and it’s the backdrop to multi-colours.
I found this great leather one on The Find from Ebagset and it costs $79.97
If you’re wondering what you might do over the Easter Bank Holiday week-end, 2nd, 3rd and 4th of April and love the City of Kilkenny ( and lets face it who doesn’t) then this just might be for you. A three day Festival organised by fellow Fashion blogger and Interiors and Fashion writer Blanaid Hennessy.
The Beautiful Blanaid Hennessy Photo by Eoin Hennessy www.ehp.ie
Absolut Style at SET ( the new fabulous theatre at Langtons Hotel) will have three days of Vintage Fashion, furniture and films, along with makeovers, style talks, live photoshoots and performances followed by fun nights out. All in association with Absolut Vodka.
Inside SET at Langtons Kilkenny
For further details contact Blanaid Hennessy (083) 3346996
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
