Nicky's Rag Tales

I pass the window on my way home from a work most days. It’s a little odd really but I go one way and come home another (oh well another of my odd habits revealed) I have been meaning to stop and see how the boutique has evolved in the past year. I was there at the beginning and really liked it but did wonder whether it’s understated modernist clothes would go in the South Dublin suburb of Rathgar. Cheap these clothes are not and fashion is not a word I would use in any description. Style yes, substance yes and certainly pieces to keep and wear again and again. No glitz or glamour here but beautifully made clothes to fall in love with, grown up dressing. Margaret Howell is the main designer whose work is lovingly on display. A very British designer who uses the best fabrics in the modernist tradition, who started in the 70′s with a small men’s shirt collection. She uses the most wonderful crafted fabrics and the Harris tweed coat in the window is sublime. When I arrived last year there was a small collection of Margaret Howell andthat has now grown to be the main focus, with both men’s and women’s clothes on offer. Beuys & Beuys has built up a clearly devoted following of women who have become regular shoppers at Fiona Cummins boutique ( I hate that word Boutique it sounds almost pretentious though shop just doesn’t work and nor does store).

Two other labels of equal note are Gro A Live a Danish label and the beautiful Italian Masnada whose designer is ex Ann Demeulemeesster (and it shows). Leather Bags by MT label are equally covetable and are exclusive to both Beuys & Beuys and Liberty London.

Fiona whose son Oliver, with the gorgeous long blond hair and wearing very cool silver leather ankle boots was sitting at a table and playing on his computer. Fiona’s husband Mark was also there this evening. Mark has just released the first Electric Penguins CD with his band to rave reviews in Hot Press. Beuys & Beuys is so obviously a family affair with a very distinctive feel, it would not be out of place in New York or London and I’m happy to report that all is good in this very special Irish Boutique (there’s that awful word again!)

Margaret Howell tweed lined proper trench

Margaret Howell

Margaret Howell

Masnada

Gro A Live

Gro A Live

MT

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!

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 pass Smock on Drury Street,Dublin every day on my way to the showroom and sometimes pop into say hi to Karen Crawford and Susan O’Connell, the dream team friends and owners of this most delectable indie boutique in Dublin. Today we were all in a giggly mood (not sure why?) when I noticed the new stock that had arrived and just had to share some of it with you. Karen grabbed her Tom Ford Lippy and looking great (she’s taken up running so that explains the happy hormones) and I reached for my camera……

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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

Smock is one of my favorite boutiques in the world and the fact that it’s in Dublin is pretty wonderful. Karen and Susan are easily the most laid back boutique owners that I know and there is never any problem with just browsing which in other boutiques can sometimes be a little uncomfortable. They are friends who share a passion for beautifully crafted and designed pieces, all exclusive to Smock that make the wearer feel good without shouting out too loud.

I was in today to ask them how last week ends SoGo street festival went. I know they had live music and lots of marshmallow cakes and that 200 hundred of them were eaten! I can never go in without having a look at the new clothe s, shoes and accessories that have arrived.

The fantastic Heritage original ballet shoes from Repetto are divine, Repetto started life in 1947 in Paris. Created by Rose Repetto they adorned the feet of every world famous dancer and ballerina for years. In the 1970′s Serge Gainsbourg fell in love with them and with several designer collaborations including Issey Miyake and Comme de Garcon they have remained the most loved of all the ballet flats.

Repetto Red shoes to take you on any' Yellow Brick Road' in life

Canadian born Paris based designer David Szeto makes the most divine dresses and scarves in gorgeous prints that are both vibrant and incredibly stylish.

David Szeto dresses and scarves

Tsumori Chisato is a Japanese designer with a fantastical and whimsical collection of blouses and dresses. Each a work of art and easily wearable in fabulous fabrics which drape perfectly.

Tsumori Chisato

Smock Boutique

Holiday dresses are difficult to find but when you do find one that ticks all the boxes you wear it to death. My old faithful has become just that and even though I’m reluctant to part with it, I’m afraid the time has come to consign it to the charity bin. It came from Argentina, a drop waist jersey dress that looked fab over jeans, leggings or bare legged. It travelled all over the world and if dresses could talk this one would have some stories to tell.

I’m heading to Italy next week and am about to check my travel insurance to make sure I’m covered for ‘Acts of God’ since it’s a volcanic Island I’m going to and knowing my luck it may just decide that having laid dormant for 700 years it’s time to re-awaken!

I stopped off in Ashford a few days ago and dropped into Boutique Belle to say hello to Susan and there I found it, my replacement, incredibly versatile, go anywhere, pack in a ball , great Holiday dress. It’s by Butter By Nadia and some of you may have seen it or have one already but if you don’t or haven’t then this may be for you. Mine is in turquoise blue and I’m practising several ways I’m going to wear it. Believe me if I can work it out anyone can, as I’m pretty bad at that sort of thing and can’t follow instructions at all!

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

Gorey has lots of Fashion shops and like lots of towns in Ireland offers real choice that is sometimes hard to find in Dublin. Independent owners buying and knowing exactly what their customers want.

Ruby Rouge is one such destination boutique in Gorey Co Wexford. The owner Niamh Byrne does a great PR job and shouts out loudly about Ruby Rouge and well she might. The short clip above gives a small taste of what’s on offer. Colour colour everywhere and lots and lots of choice. Service is key as the rails are packed tight and this is a huge part of the success of this boutique. Niamh and her staff offer it in spades. There are thirty labels on offer, two that stood out today Manoush, and, Just In Case. If you love clothes, have a special occasion or just want something new Ruby Rouge may just be where it’s at.

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Catherine Crowley’s dream of owning her own boutique came true last Friday. I happened to be passing through the Westbury Mall and spotted her in her spanking new welcoming shop. If Chica, which is opposite opposite, is hot, then UCCA is decidedly cool. If Chica dresses girls for the races and weddings, then Ucca dresses them for long lunches in the company of good friends and barbecues. The look is one that smacks of understated chic.

Catherine’s style icon is, she tells me Kate Moss and it shows in what she has bought. Some of the collections include Superfine skinny jeans, American Vintage gorgeous layering T’s and dresses in cotton, silk and linen. Blouses and shirts from Twist & Tango . Beautiful dresses and cardigans from Alberta Marani and a selection of scarves to set it all off. All of the clothes in soft fabrics in natural and very wearable colours.

Ucca is in Dublin’s Westbury Mall, just beside the Westbury Hotel, a stones throw from Grafton Street. Telephone 003531 6776321