Nicky's Rag Tales

I’m mad busy in work at the moment and have hardly stepped out of the showroom for days but when I bumped into Ruth ni Loinsigh yesterday I promised I would pop around the corner to her new space on Drury Street, Dublin. Om Diva is by Ruth’s own admission styled in homage to her own bedroom (age 15) It has that carnival appeal that puts you instantly into a good mood. The old space around the corner in the Georges Arcade was a very special one but wasn’t big enough to house everything Ruth has planned. This is not just a retail space though, Atelier 27 is a truly fantastic business model where everything works in complete harmony. There is an Incubation space and retail design studio in the process of being set up over three floors where young fashion graduates will be able to manufacture and then sell their designs. The very popular Sip and Stitch classes are being expanded into a fully blown sewing school and will offer a variety of courses which will be taught by some of the in- house designers and will go from beginner level to advanced highly technical tailoring and dressmaking skills.

Of course the shop is as delectable as ever with it’s mix of colourful, quirky and vintage clothes along with accessories with that ‘must have’ appeal and all at very reasonable prices.

Heading home this evening after quite a stressful 12 days here in Vancouver I did get momentarily sidetracked from the main event and found a delightful and interesting bag designer. I have to admit to having a soft spot for both handbags of all types and have been searching for something special for yonks. My ideal bag is made of soft yet strong leather, has no big logo’s or labels so can’t be easily identifiable, is unique, a ‘one of a kind’ and has enough space for all my stuff. I think I may just have found it here in Vancouver. Ashley Watson is a young designer who cut her teeth in NY designing for a very successful company who reworked vintage clothing. While she was in NY she trawled the vintage shops and found herself buying leather jackets and turning them into bags. Friends kept asked for them and so the story continued….

Back in Vancouver Ashley Watson is very well known. The bags are to die for and even though they are completely hand made using vintage leather jackets the finish is superb with none of that homemade look that reworked vintage usually has. I met Ashley yesterday in my hotel and I’m definitely going to try to bring her label to Ireland. There are great styles though of course each bag is completely unique, lined in hemp with great pockets and with really comfortable handles. Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think?

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)

I have been working madly in the show room today organising the Jaeger London collection and the new younger Boutique Jaeger Collection as well as sending out news letters to customers on what is happening. We are in full swing preparing to sell for Spring Summer next year! You would think that I’d had enough of fashion when I come home in the evening but here I find myself checking out Etsy which I am drawn to occasionally. As I wait for the lamb and new potatoes to finish cooking ( the whole room is full of gorgeous garlicky/rosemary and lemon smells) I found these. If you click on the Etsy link on each one it will take you to the seller.

ETSY

You have only to utter the word Vintage and you are instantly ‘In Fashion’

ETSY

I’m so addicted to hats and seem to be collecting them at a fierce pace. I’m predicting that we will be a big fashion accessory this Winter again

Etsy