Handbags and Gladrags

An email from my sister Mags:

You probably don't think of fashion and finance in the same sentence...but let me tell you what's been going on here in Citi Ireland. A Fundraising Day for the Irish Cancer Society (Citi's 2009 Charity of the Year) happened today with the theme "Handbags and Gladrags". The selection would make any fashionista's head swirl with all the rails of designer handbags and clothing donated for a raffle including worn-once eveningwear and a love-me Aideen Bodkin coat. It wasn't just for the ladies as some of the Citi men were treated to a selection of ties and cufflinks (most of them Louis Coupeland). What's more, we raised €2,000 for the Irish Cancer Society!

Irish Cancer Society shops are dotted around the country. Donate or buy - all for a great cause.

Why We Need "Jedward"

Irony. Such a lost art. Derided as a Gen X hipster accessory, the term has become almost obsolete, so much so that its definition has imploded. A bit ironic in itself, dontcha think? Thankfully where Ms. Morrisette failed to point the semantic finger, we have the Irish Xfactor hybrid Jedward. The pointy hair, the loud PVC suits, unwittingly likening their distinct lack of vocal talent to a brakeless bike. In a synthetic pop world filled with PR-styled soundbytes, Jedward are the antidote, the anti-heroes and ironically (albeit packaged by Louis Walsh) anti-manufactured. Let's face it, there's only one of them! Heck, if they bomb in the charts, they've always got a career in fashion - maybe with Jean Charles de Castelbajac? I'm thinking David Bowie 'Let's Dance' circa 1983 meets Vanilla Ice 1991. Us fashionistas love our irony. You've got a home with us Jedward.

eBay Fun!

Interested in buying a vintage dress...or three? I'm flogging some of my prized clobber on eBay - mainly that which I bought in a magpie frenzy. The end result? Clothes that don't quite fit. So very pretty though; like this fab 70s dress. On my six foot frame, the hem hits my ankle bone so sadly its too short with heels. I also need someone to zip me up as I suck inhale like a corseted Scarlett O'Hara. The late night snacking has to stop...seriously.

Biya - Fashion's Fiercest First Lady

The latest Gmail thread from the boys:

Andrew
to Annmarie, Neil
8:04 AM
Read this on a blog;
Last Thursday Vic Mizzy, the songwriter behind The Addams Family theme tune, died at the age of 93.
Obviously the family of the President of Spain were mourning his passing when they recently met the Obamas.


Neil
to Annmarie, Andrew
9:14 AM
Some people have been hitting the patatas bravas in a bad way. And the mother isn't that bad looking, if in a mannish way. Placing her beside the Uber-mannish Michelle was a good move so. Is Michelle wearing a monks cassock? This whole photo has an air of extreme recession asceticism: bring back glam I say!

...Talking of which, can we please compare this with the shot they took with the Cameroon president? This b*tch Chantal Biya knows how to dress for the occasion, I'm sorry, but she looks savage.

...And to prove it, here she is rocking a ecumenical-stylee hat for Pope Pius earlier in the year.

Annmarie
to Neil, Andrew
9:23 AM
In fairness, I'm liking Michelle's frock. The glitzy bow injects a soupcon of 'yes we can' to an otherwise sober dress. And you cannot fault those killer pins.

I'm hoping Chantal was just caught blinking and not taking a cheeky nap. Perhaps she's smug in the knowledge that she's the only one boasting an eco-system in that stacked hair; or maybe a selection of travel size hair products. Handy that....

As for that statement hat, shouldn't there a law to state you can't out-Pope the Papa; much like a bride at a wedding? Speaking of which, imagine if she docked up to the church on your big day? The wedding photos would either bear a hazy shadow from the height of her hair; or a searing flash of light from her blinged out baubles. Still...she's one fierce b*tch. Gotta love her!

Neil
to Annmarie, Andrew
9:48 AM
On mature reflection I too like Michelle's frock. She actually looks fantastic beside Chantal, though am not sure that's saying much. Am surprised there are any weaves left in the western hemisphere with the amount Chantal must get through. I'm sensing an as yet untold news story where entire villages of women are having their hair shaved off just because Chantal has some glitzy reception that evening. And I can't imagine under what circumstances she'd be coming to my wedding (although 3rd world dictators could be an as yet untapped dating pool, having exhausted every other channel), but if she did the only approach would be to out-Biya her; although I'm not sure there is enough gold lamé in existence to manage that feat.

Complex Geometries

I never was a star pupil at maths. I always maintained however that if they used fashion to elucidate the formula of an isosceles triangle, I'd be a genius. It didn't take me long to twig that this here top by Complex Geometries belongs in my wardrobe. The measured draping, the equilateral sides and asymmetrical racer back equal = 'must+have'². Just as well I nabbed the last one from Circus Store in Powerscourt. Click here to get your style soduku online!

Harvey Nicks & Grazia Event

Fashion Digest

Time - slippery little fella, isn't he? Before you know it a week has evaporated like the word 'tregging', leaving you with a handful of receipts and a few hazy retail memories. Refusing to capitulate to the vagaries of the clock , I've distilled the past week into a few snappy headlines. Check it out:

1. Hosted the first weekend of Fashion Me Fabulous style sessions at Kildare Village.
2. Stayed at The Kensington Hotel, London (divine!) - home to the most lush rooms on the planet, the wafting smell of Jo Malone candles and coeliac-friendly afternoon tea. I may want to live there.
3. Spotted James Brown (i.e. Kate Moss' haidresser; not Godfather of Soul) in a wide-brimmed hat walking a grey poodle-esque dog.
4. Spotted Westlife's Shane and Nicky at Heathrow; or rather I wouldn't have, had Shane not been wearing sunglasses indoors. Petite little fellas - but sure we still love 'em! :)
5. Missed the Fashion Bloggers' Brunch @ BT2 which was a super stylish sesh complete with choons from DJ Dandelion. Gutted!
6. The arse of my new Zara trousers ripped after wearing them once. Insult to injury? The gaping hole could well have revealed my green lace knickers to the entire Kildare-Dublin train passengers. Nice.
7. The sole of my Carvela loafers lost their fight for life. Not even Superglue would save them. A bit miffed given I only got them in July. Sigh.
8. Which explains why I had to get a new pair of tapered trousers and black patent brogues in Topshop. Taking advantage of the exchange rate I saved a whopping €47. Hah! Take that Sir Philip Green!
9. I'm not talking to my Blackberry Storm (in a teacup). This is the second time the camera has refused to work - 1) My sister's wedding 2) the world's most beautiful hotel room of which I have no pics. Grrr.... A mediator might be necessary; or an iPhone come Dec 9th when my contract ends.
10. The oversized mirror in the sitting room fell off the wall - a potential beheading. Maybe it's a cosmic warning about vanity; or the perils of reality TV. I haven't watched the America's Next Top Model since.

Bling-a-Bib for the ISPCC

I'm no designer. Unless you count that time circa 1988 when I made a lycra body con dress for Home Economics. Took me two months and buckled like a legless Christmas reveller about every two inches. When asked therefore by the ISPCC to Bling-a-Bib for their Christmas fundraising drive, I was determined to redeem myself. A box of beads, tube of Bostick and rubber gloves later, et volia! Check that bad boy out! So if you happen to see an ISPCC volunteer over the next few weeks wearing one of these charity couture creations, drop them a few quid and a massive 'where did you get that?'

For more information about the ISPCC's €1 million fundraising drive, or to register as a volunteer, please log on to www.ispcc.ie/getyourbibon or call 1850 50 40 50.

Freedom Galway - Sale!

Attention Galwegians. Check out Freedom's new home on Lwr. Abbeygate Street and net yourself some cool savings this weekend. Happy shopping!

Joan Collins Does Glamour

When I was 8 years old, I wrote an 'About Me' essay. I lived in Blue Point, New York. I wanted to be a ballerina and my hero was Joan Collins. Even then I couldn't resist the outre glamour. Sequins before 10am was my kind of style protocol. Even still, I'm a firm adherent of the Collins 'you can never have too much fashion' theory. Hence the reason I'm waiting patiently for the mother of all makeover shows - Joan Collins Does Glamour - 9pm tonight on ITV1!

Grazia Style Hunter Awards

It's official. Dublin's got more style savvy than London! Ah well, not exactly but it makes a good headline, eh? But Dublin does have the most semi-finalists in Grazia Style Hunter Awards. Eight fashionistas from our fair city have been chosen to represent the capitol - including I Blog Fashion. Flattered - indeedy? What you didn't see was the slew of bags I had with me from styling that day. Hence the gloves - my hands were in tatters!! CLICK HERE to see more.

Fashion Me Fabulous

Come visit me at Kildare Village for my free Style Masterclasses. First one starts Sunday 11th October. Check out the event blurb below. CLICK HERE for more info.

To celebrate the mid-season Kildare Village is mining fashion’s new maxim, less is more with the launch of Fabulous Fortnight. Throughout the Village starting on Monday 12th October until the Bank Holiday Monday 26th October, Kildare Village will be discounting its discounts with offers so good you save twice across over 50 designer outlet boutiques.

Fabulous Fortnight will also see top Irish stylist and fashion writer Annmarie O’Connor hosting “Fashion Me Fabulous” style sessions from 1pm-5pm on Sunday 11th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October. One lucky lady will have a chance to be personally styled by Annmarie and everyone will get a sneak peek at star buys from the Village along with top tips on staying fabulous!

Creatives in the City

Celebrating its third birthday yesterday was Dublin's fashion hotbed - The Loft Market. In honour of its hatrick success as the city's style hybrid, over 20 of its up-and-coming designers, jewellers and vintage collections showed their wares at an elaborate Powerscourt fashion show. For a sneak peek from last night, check out a few of the 45 delish looks as styled by Dublin stylist Angela Scanlon. Love it? Much!

Photography: Lousie Phipps

The Loft Market: Top Floor, The Powerscourt Townhouse, 59 Sth William Street, Dublin Open: Friday 12-6pm; Saturday 11-6pm; Sunday 12-6pm
Contact: Kate Nolan - 087 285 6638 kate@re-dress.ie

Wonderbra Competition Winner

Congratulations to Oxana Kiryashova (Dublin 22) - the winner of I Blog Fashion's Wonderbra competition. A signed Dita Von Teese poster is winging its way to you. Enjoy and keep reading I Blog Fashion for more stylish competitions! Nothing like a bit of freeness. Does the soul good.

Sartorially-challenged

Dear Scott,

Forgive the hiatus; it's been a busy week. Between styling, TV and radio appearances and writing my weekly fashion column, I've been a total dowager on the social front. Missing fashion shows, press launches and now The Satorialist book signing. What can I say? It's just not acceptable. I'll do my best however to join you for a swift half at tomorrow's Harvey Nicks soiree. Champers with a friend? It's the least I can do.

A x

Tweeting about Treacy

Just when you thought our fella from Galway only made haute hats, he starts designing shoes. Gutted not to be at PFW this season but delighted the Irish flag is flying so fiercely. Good man!

womensweardaily Custom shoes by milliner Philip Treacy will be on the Valentino runway.18 minutes ago from HootSuite

Oliver Sweeney's Hedge Boot

Shoe porn alert! Boys make haste to the cash machine - Oliver Sweeney has launched a limited edition hedge boot for AW09. The Italian made, hand-finished Chelsea boot features a full leather, raw edged sole; complete with stacked heel to complement the iconic Anatomical Oliver Sweeney Last. This 50-pair limited edition offering is available in navy calf soft suede with a fierce pillar-box red gusset. Available to buy from October 7th for £260 at Oliver Sweeney's flagship Bond Street store and online www.oliversweeney.com.

Fashion Gaydar - Stagwear

From: Andy
To: Annmarie, Neil
So my brothers stag is fancy dress and I'm thinking drag, have done some research and I'm wondering do these shoes say:

a) Practical yet up market; ideal for the gay-about-town
or
b) White trash winner
N.B: stag is in the North so I may need to run in these.

From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
Loving them, the elastoplast really adds a classy touch. Only thing is they really fall into the category of any-occasion-wear, would have thought you'd want to bling it up a little for the big night?

From: Annmarie
To: Andy, Neil
OK - honestly I think the crystal embellishments are fab - very f*ck-the-recession and a great nod to the opulence of the 80s. Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter better de-lamé and move over. I do wince however at the perspex - a bit Stringfellows. Also, what's the dilly-o with the band-aids as velcro? If you are running from potential political strife that could prove problematic. Don't see much adhesive qualities there.

My advice is to opt for a big-ass ankle boot with a small platform at the front. This means you can rock out some bitchin' heels without the pain on the ball of the foot. Go all out Balmain with leather straps or go to A Rubanesque in Powerscourt and order a ream of feathers that you can stitch or Wundaweb onto the front of the boot. Very Margiela. Au sauvage even.

From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
ROFL. I can see Andy being chased now with a ream of feathers scuttling down the Shankill Road. Actually I suspect that's a scenario he'd enjoy!

Scarves

I'm having a full-on love affair with scarves at the moment. Whether knotted at the neck, in an exaggerated bow or a low-slung faux tie, silky squares are the way to go. Favourite style? Chain print but of course. Place to get 'em? The Irish Cancer Society charity shop. Make like the inner city grannies and stack 'em high at €1.50 a pop. The easiest way to update your winter wardrobe.

Clarins Winners!

Happy Friday folks! And an even happier one to the winners of I Blog Fashion's Clarins competition. Our three winners are: Patrick Hanlon, Dublin 2; Kathleen McHugh, Donegal; and Meredith Fernandez, Brooklyn NY. Congratulations! And remember there are more chances to win with I Blog Fashion. Don't forget to enter I Blog's Dita Von Teese comp which ends Monday, October 5th. Best of luck!