Right my little poppets...I'm off to France for a few days of champagne tasting. I know, it's a hard life but sometimes you just have to step up to the plate. I won't be gone for too long but if you do have any sartorial setbacks, just think of bubbles. They have a unique habit of calming the mind. ;) 
Thank God for Ryanair. I never thought I'd hear myself utter those fateful words but when fashion calls, I am willing to risk dodgy cabin pressure, bagged vodka and and loosened fillings. In fact, if it weren't for this no frills (oh-so-unstylish) airline, I wouldn't be making the amount of swag stops I do in my fashion mecca - London. Case in point - my jeans. I don't know if it's that my thighs have gotten bigger or I've gotten taller (I'll opt for the latter please) but my fave pair of Sass&Bides has just managed to shrink. Now, I could go to BT2 in search of another oooor I could use the opportunity as an excuse to hit Selfridges and try out the Bodymetrics made-to-measure jean service everyone is talking about. Basically, your body is 'scanned' creating a 'digital replica' of your size and shape. This is then used to produce jeans which are tailored to the exact lines of your body. From there you choose the fabric, washe, fit, rise and cut et voila....a theatre of pain dissolves. No more builder's bum, no more leg length drama, no more falling over in the dressing room while trying to wrench off a pair of skinny jeans that make you look like a turnip.
Just when I thought it was safe to go outside without black opaque tights, it begins to rain....again. Boo hiss. I'm getting just a bit tetchy. Don't get me wrong. I love the shady little garments but it is technically Spring and I am dying to release my pins from their winter bondage. So when is it acceptable to go sans collants? I am only dying to give my pins a good airing. Surely a lick of Clarins new yummy Self-Tanning Gel will do the trick? Is there a secret hosiery 'rule' to which I'm not privy? Can a girl bare all before the stroke of April? Help a girl out here!
No one loves a bit of social networking more than moi. I am the unofficial Myspace fashion queen with Patricia Field, Anna Wintour and half of Project Ruway on my 'friends' page. OK - clearly we don't share gossip over a skinny latte during the week but it's nice to pretend this could be the case. So you can imagine my delerious excitement when I found out about IQONS - a soc net site or interconnected ' fashion ecology' for designers, bloggers, hairdressers, PRs, models, photographers... just about anybody who can stomp like Giselle. So how does it differ from the others?
I nearly fell off my seat about 2 minutes ago. There I was leaving through IMAGE magazine - my bible, BFF, lifestyle guru and personal stylist (not bad for €4.25) - and what do I spy? I BLOG FASHION on page 20 of the trendy SPOTTED section! To quote the lovely Kate O'Dowd:
Sometimes I wonder if M&S just tries too hard. Case in point: the new SS08 campaign. In the new ad, the 'famous five' (that should say it all really) including Twiggy, Erin O’Connor, Lizzy Jagger, Noemie Lenoir and Myleene Klass frolick at a seaside lighthouse. Tea is poured and tennis is served all the while posing to the tune of “I want to marry a lighthousekeeper”. Given the dismal sales since their 'makeover', don't they understand who their audience is by now? Poor Mary down the road must be wondering where the hell her head scarves and house coats went to. What is she supposed to do in skinny jeans and a tunic dress? Leave a comment if you're not already partial to the taste of ginger beer...
I love it when someone reads my mind. It saves having to bitch. Ipso facto stylish ergo I give today's much needed high five to the folks at Irishboutiques.com. You want a continuously updated listing of the chicest boutiques in Ireland? Of course you do. You want the chance to win treatments from their featured spas? Yes please! You want a bespoke designer shoe portal? Uh, hello?! These guys are obviously the ones who actually listen to women. With mani-pedi season but an open-toe sandal away, I shall be bookmarking Irish Boutiques post post haste. Kudos to you IB.
It's not often we get a bona fide rock chick in our presence, let alone one with serious design chops. Kate Moss in Topshop does not count. I'm taking about indie legend Pearl Lowe of Powder and Lodger fame. If you're lucky enough to be down in Kildare next week, Pearl will be launching her clothing and accessory line to hip boutique - Butik. Inspired by vintage, lace and Victoriana, Lowe's collection is bound to be a hit in Newbridge. Damn shame for everyone else. Get a sneak peak of what to expect on www.pearllowe.co.uk.
We all know us girls don't need any good reason to buy a new bag but sometimes it's nice to know there is one. Brown Thomas has teamed up with legend Diane von Furstenberg to create an exclusive limited edition bag for the 2008 Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Ireland Campaign. Inspired by DVF's Spring/Summer 2008 "Under the Volcano" collection, the bright yellow hued canvas tote will retail for €45 and all proceeds raised will go to Action Breast Cancer (a programme of the Irish Cancer Society) and Europa Donna Ireland (raising awareness of breast cancer issues in Ireland). This summer must-have will be launched at Brown Thomas and BT2 stores next month. For further details log on to http://www.brownthomas.com/.
Inbetween mouthfuls of gnocchi and rocket salad, I've been having a goo through my beloved JC Report. It seems that the runway sweet tooth for sheer menswear has trickled down onto the highstreet. Now we know the likes of Hermes can rock the look on a pair of washboard abs but can Topshop do the same? Boys would you risk looking like a wifebeater or is this trend sheer genius? Leave your comments after feasting your eyes on the cutie to my right...
'There are horses for courses' or so goes the saying...unless of course you're Stella McCartney. Seven years after debuting her Apaloosa motif for Chloe, Macca's stallions still look fresh. With race season nearly upon us, wouldn't it be fitting to revive some '01 paddock chic? Beats those damn feathery hats anyday. And for that Ms. M, we salute you. x
I came over all emo this Saturday when out for coffee with my BGFF. No, it wasn't the news that Tom Forde is adopting a baby or that All Saints had some secret sample sale that I missed. I squinted. Yes, you heard me correctly. Blinded by something that distinctly resembled the sun, I was forced to sheild my brown beauties and weep with joy. Could it be? After all these dark and depressing months, was it actually spring? In honour of this climatic breakthrough and this season's penchant for block colour, I borrowed BGFF's iPhone to bag me some sunnies. We're loving Karen Walker's Tears for Joy collection (appropriate no?). Forget the bug-eyed LA look. This summer it's all about horn-rimmed futuristic geek chic. We're guessing Agyness Deyn probably owns the patent. We love. We love.
Nona De Samim - lingerie atelier and purveyor of 16th century Gallic 'va va voom' gets down to the smalls of her style credentials.
Since the demise of Sex and the City, there's been a big bitchy void in our fashion lives. No Carrie, no Manolos, no Barneys. Sob... And I'm sorry but a 2-hour movie is not going to help. It'll just be like break-up sex: nostalgic lead up and an empty ending. So what's a gal to do, huh? Well if you're one of the 10,000 Myspace fans you probably already know about Katie Rogers. Katie who? Well, let me introduce you...
Makaba boutique are a bright lot. Mirroring the old adage 'build it and they will come', they've gotten in some hot Australian labels to bring some summer sunshine to us melanin-deprived.
My my. How things change. It seems like only yesterday New Jersey copped the bad rap for Bon Jovi and 'mall hair'. Now the Garden State's all made over and rocking some hip threads. Take Heroine Clothing for example - an indie clothing outfit based in Northern NJ. Driven by art, music and tattoos, the brand have created a unisex line of screenprinted tees and hoodies that London’s Shoreditch posse would even trade their plimsoles for. Check out the Mirrors Lie Deep-V which is even designed to keep its shape in the wash. Sexy and smart. Nice.
Sigh! Swoon! It seems that I have fallen in love all over again with Dublin's most delicious thoroughfare - Sth William Street. As if I needed another good reason for me to part with my shadily earned cash, I have now to contend with the glory that is Indigo and Cloth. Not only do these achingly-hip ateliers stock the likes of Edun, Matt & Nat, Rodebjer and Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, they're really helpful and friendly too. Why not see for yourself and pop along to their Customer Summer Evening tomorrow. They're open til 8pm, so come and join me for some retail lusting and thrusting!
I'm feeling smug, very smug indeed. I bagged myself a cute tie-waisted denim dress from A-Wear a month ago complete with ruffle bib and de riguer pockets. At a mere €40, I was a happy bunny. Fastforward to this morning. I get an email from Urban Outfitters touting their online designer dress store and what do I spy? Practically the same dress from Chloe (see: right) at £220. Now, I know I have the 'referenced' version. I'm not pretending that A-wear has the edge over Ms. Hannah McGibbon but I will give them props for a damn good cover version. Nice one my lovelies!
Sometimes a girl needs a healthy dose of TLC or judging by my complexion in the mirror this morning - a small miracle. Having done my patriotic duty on the town last night, my skin was paying the price. I was working the dehydrated look like a seasoned party professional and it wasn't pretty. Fortunately, I'd been given a tub of Eve Lom TLC cream from Space NK earlier this week which literally saved face. Already an ardent fan of the Eve Lom cleanser and muslin cloth, I am now truly madly deeply hearting this uber-rich cream. The results are immediately noticeable after just one application. I may have felt like an old crotchety wreck but my skin looked like it had 12 hours sleep. The only problem? The nearest Space NK is in Belfast. Seriously, it will be sooooo worth the journey! Eve Lom TLC cream £48 for 100 ml.
In honour of the fella who drove the snakes out of Ireland, I will be indisposed (i.e. in the pub) for the duration of the bank holiday. That means no fashion posts of any description. I'll be somewhere between The George Bernard Shaw and Hogans over the next few days I'd imagine. Come join me for a pint of Uncle Arthur. I'll be the one in the Topshop zip-thru dress wearing the silly hat and basically ruining the whole look. God! You can't take me anywhere....
Alright lads, St. Patrick's Day is but a mere Guinness away and I think it only fitting that the we give the Irish a shout out. Given that our nation is not exactly a fashion mecca (does anyone even remember Dublin Fashion Week?), let's talk about fashion's cooler cousin...music. Not better band to illustrate our rock heritage than Dublin's kick ass band The Spikes. For those of you who've seen them play at The Button Factory of The Sugar Club, you're probably well aware of frontman Tom Dunne's uncanny vocal similarity to Jim Morrisson. More to the point, they absolutely rock live. So, you'll be glad to hear that their new single 'Hypnotized' drops on Monday with a brand new shiny album in tow in May. Gigs have yet to be announced, although if you're a TCD alum you're in luck as they'll be playing the Trinners Ball. Otherwise, try and wangle a ticket outside The Buttery. It'll be well worth it. Let's drink to that. Slainte!
Frontman Tom Dunne from Irish band The Spikes gives us the benefit of his style counsel.
Okay. This whole freaky weather thing...I'm over it. Over it as in last week. It's old. I'm done. Enough! I'm so tired of looking like post-apocalyptic detritus the minute I leave the house. My make-up routine has turned into a farce. Why bother applying anything if it is merely going to ooze down the side of your face? The point, please? (Cue: deep breath)
I'm a Tower Hamlets of strength, I really am. Despite the ubiquitous gale warnings this evening, I pageant-proofed my hair with Elnett, slipped on my peep toes and LBD and headed off to the All Saints press event. Having lived in East London for many a year, I'm a big fan of the Spitalfields mecca, although admittedly I'm less trendy. Nevertheless, I am always inspired by quirkiness and All Saints fits the bill. What I love about the AS SS08 collection is its unique twist on wearable wardrobe staples. I honed in on a great black jacket, a white tailored shirt and a soft rooomy bag in about 10.3 seconds; not to mention the citadel of kick-ass shoes greeting me as I pried myself inside from the rain. What a way to greet a girl - champagne and shoes! (Or lace-up Hermione shoots in oyster suede to be precise!) Let's put it this way, I was standing in the proximity of Brian O'Driscoll for most of the evening and hadn't a scooby-doo.
This week Nina Morgan Jones, designer and co-owner of L.A.'s ROMP boutique, shares her style secrets!
When it comes to lingerie shopping, us gals don't really need encouragement. Lacy bras and frilly knickers will always have a place in our lives, regardless of men, money or cellulite. So when someone gives us an actual reason to splash out on smalls, we're of the opinion it would be rude not to oblige.
"There is nothing so agonizing to the fine skin of vanity as the application of a rough truth."
It is common knowledge that effortless glamour takes time and dedication and no one knows this better than designer Nina Morgan-Jones. Nina is one half of the brains (and beauty!) behind ROMP - an L.A.-based boutique stocking fully traceable, organic, sustainable and certified luxury garments. Taking passion from timeless vintage fare, ROMP cavorts seamlessly with film-noir inspired organic sheepskin stoles, tassled "gogo" boots, Biba-inspired catsuits and draped chiffon gowns with antique trim. Previously based in East London, the boutique is set to open on April 22nd on W 3rd Street and will stock both ROMP and NINA labels - the latter of which is made with B.A.L.I. Lest you thought BALI was just a pretty island in the South Pacific, it actually stands for Best Available Least Impact products. "So basically they are made with an many organic components as we could get ," she says "but are not entirely organic yet." I've got my eye on a pair of adorable peplum platform shoes and an organic leather jacket pioneered by ROMP's other half Greg Sturmer. Don't even get me started on the luggage and interiors. I can feel my credit card getting frisky already!!!
Fashion makes victims of us all at some stage in our sartorial endeavours. Rooting through my wardrobe this morning, I found glaring evidence of this sentiment. Staring at my in its green and yellow glory was my prized Paul and Joe 'old skool' shell top which I had bought in a haute Islington boutique circa 2004. At time of purchase I was apoplectic with excitement. Not only did I score a piece of killer London streetwear, I got it for a half price at £80. I never however bothered to investigate what the writing on the back of the top meant. Did it matter? Not at the time. Not until I actually wore it that is. Coming home from work one day on the tube, a man tapped me on the back and asked me did I know Ouagadougou. I looked at him replied, "No. I actually don't even know which team he plays for." Kindly he chuckled and pointed out the Ouagadougou was actually a place, the capital of Burkina Faso in fact, and not a person. Needless to say my football fashionista stage was short-lived....and I soon got myself a map.
Despite my procilivity to crap on about the fickle Irish weather, I'm not a total curmudgeon. Yesterday I managed to feel the joys of spring at the Herbal Essences launch in AKA - prevailing winds or otherwise. It felt refreshing to sport a cocktail in one hand and a Vietnamese springroll in the other. For a moment, I nearly convinced myself I was in Miami until three drinks later, I stopped by my local chipper and realised I was indeed in Kimmage. I don't think 'whirly burgers' have quite made the South Beach scene. Not yet...
Leigh Aramberri is a stylist whose aesthetic razor edge has graced the likes of Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Project Catwalk and Living TV. He's currently based in Sydney where he styles and profiles for film company 'The Precinct'. He is also my best friend. :)
Yesterday I had the giddy pleasure of attending the Brown Thomas Spring Summer Fashion Show. Sure, it could have been the bubbles I was sipping, but I'm pretty certain it had more to do with the showcase of the Jesire Boutique Collection. I've hearted Jesire for quite a while now. As a brand, the quality and attention to detail for its price point is incomparable. I've bought a killer black dress, a navy embellished tunic (which everyone mistakes for Miu Miu) and a fab oyster cocktail dress (right) from the BT concession and never do they miss a compliment. .jpg)
I'm a fairly 'no make-up' kinda gal; although to look at my cosmetics case you'd think I'd robbed BTs in mannner of a deranged East End gangster. Last count I had 5 palettes, 19 eyeshadows, 12 eyeliners, 10 lip glosses, 9 lipsticks, 5 foundations, 2 eyeshadow primers, 7 mascaras, 6 blushes, 3 pots of glitter, 1/2 set of falsh lashes (don't ask) and 1 extreme wrinkle filler. And that's only what I'll admit to. Suffice to say, I could use some simplicity in my life. So, when I was invited to preview Bobbi Brown's Nude Collection, I was nothing but relieved. The palette is basically designed to enhance your natural skin pigment. With four lip stains and four eyeshadows in gorgeous shades of buff, nude, bare and naked, there is little margin for messing up. This is the big sell for me. I am barely able to spell my own name in the morning, let alone be trusted with an arsenal of mismatching shades. Kudos again to Ms Brown for daring us all to go bare.
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Yesterday I went shoe shopping. Depsite the slicing winds that nearly scarred me for life, I managed to come home with a gorgeous pair of summer slingbacks from River Island. I like to consider it payment for my heroism: like a purple heart, only useful. After a fit of cooing and stroking of shoes, I proceeded to wear them out in the snow with black opaques, a black vintage dress with cream bows, my mini tuxedo jacket and an Elvis coiff. I discovered they are not only stylish but useful in their seasonal cross-over appeal. Cue: big applause for RI. Stage directions: Annmarie disappears stealthily with credit card in hand.
Us Irish always complain about the weather. Fact. You'd think however we'd be used to our petulant clime. We still nonetheless like a good aul bitch and the past few days have been no exception. Freakish winds and brutish hail showers have proven once more that we cannot play King Lear, no matter how much we'd like to leave the house without an umbrella, a scarf, a hat, a tent, a canoe. We can however indulge in a spot of pre-pissing rain pampering with a dose of Clarins HydraQuench Rich Cream. It's specially formulated for very dry skin or for cold climates that make your skin stretch like a hide on a bodhran. That would be ours by the way. It also has groovy ingredients like Cloudberry and Katafray Bark which do all sorts of scientific things I haven't a clue about. Not that it matters. This blue beauty has been my BFF for the past week. The bestest of friends are always the ones that make you look good!
I like my trousers hip-slung and wide-legged; ideally paired with a crisp 
I'm a typical Taurean in some ways. My unyeilding 'if it ain't broke' mentality often trickles into my beauty routines, in particular that of my perfume. For years and years I've been faithful to Calvin Klein's 'Truth' (ironically). Never once have I wavered from the distinctive citrus and bamboo top notes - until now. Truth is, I've got a new love. His name is Ron Robinson; but it would appear I'm not alone. Robinson, L.A. based perfumier of fragrance line Apothia, has managed to seduce the ranks of Hollywood with his West Coast inspired scents and now... he's hit Dublin. His three signature scents: IF, L and Velvet Rope have graced the shelves of Brown Thomas in both EDP and EDT varieties. If that's not enough, Mr. Robinson has provided aromatic candles that burn for 60 hours. "Ohhh, Mr. Robinson. Are you seducing me?"
O.K. I'm a bit on the fence here. I've always loved the Alessandro dell'Acqua aesthetic, in particular his creative execution of shoes. The SS08 collection is a key example from his ubiquitous colourblocking to the clever use of contrasting materials. In a word - yummy! Moving on.... When I clapped my peepers on these beauties to my right, I felt somewhat conflicted. Sure, I'm down with the geisha-come-gladiator juxtaposition. Marry it with a magenta silk above-the-knee kimono and you have some cheeky summer style afoot. What I'm inconclusive about is the face-to-pavement ratio. Something tells me the combination of the heel + my 6ft frame = a trip to the A&E. Maybe I could just take them home and stroke them. Like a cat. Prrrrrrrrrrr.
