StyleNation - LFW AW/10 - David Koma

Check out my StyleNation interview with rising designer to the stars David Koma. Rihanna, Cheryl, Beyonce, Lady GaGa.... Need we say more?

StyleNation - Merle O'Grady @ LFW

Check out my StyleNation interview with rising Irish jewellery designer Merle O'Grady. Not only has she been featured in Vogue, In Style and Elle this month; she counts Rihanna and Florence Welsh (of the Machine fame) amongst her fans. Love! Love! Love! P.S. Please excuse how bedraggled I look. Last day @ LFW after an intense few days!

LFW's Lee Alexander McQueen Tribute

Fashion's tribute to a true genius at the BFC tents. Love the comment about making heaven look better. No doubt he will. x

Osman AW/10 @ LFW

At the AW/09 shows I earmarked rising star Osman Yousefeda as 'the one to watch'. Gosh I love it when I'm right! This season the Birmingham designer packed out the BFC tents with a ode to the maxi: maxi dresses, maxi clutches, maxi wedges, maximum impact. Known for his clean lines and respect for form, Yousefeda's collection married languid asymmetric draping with strong shots of colour from hot pink to muted aubergine. Showpieces included staggering crystal encrusted heels, Amish style plate hats and sculpted cocoon furs worthy of an urban oligarch. Note to self: must have those shoes!

StyleNation - LFW Beauty Trends

Check out the latest ep from StyleNation @ London Fashion Week where I give the lowdown on the hottest beauty trends.

Vivienne Westwood Red Label @ LFW

Vivienne Westwood who launched her Red Label autumn/winter line at the Royal Courts of Justice on Sunday with typical elan. Cameras, celebrities and super fans crammed the vertiginous space which saw Janet Jackson and Naomi Campbell sitting side-by-side in the front row. And it wasn't just the star power that had the punters in thrall. One of the first models to stomp the tiles experienced a minor speed wobble; while the presence of runway rookie Pixie Geldof kept the shutterbugs happy. In trademark style, Westwood displayed a variation of tartan looks from capes to obi belts and jackets bearing outre collars and Vargas girl air force hats. Millinery played an equal part in the storyboard with looks ranging from 'Red Baron' aviator to ten gallon cowboy; not to mention a Mad Hatter tea party homage. Colour made the grade in shades of navy, canary yellow and violently hot pink; while shoulders stood strong with featured leg-of-mutton and sculptural knotted styles. The designer's social signature was felt in a brash apron bearing the words 'Justice for Gaia' - a trait welcome and expected at a Westwood show. The show ended with the sound of horses hooves and the horns of the royal cavalry - perhaps a small reminder of just who wears the crown in British fashion.

Matthew Williamson AW/10 @ LFW

I love being thrown a cosmic bone. It makes up for having to take the Tube everywhere. Mine came in the form of a second row/end aisle seat at Matthew Williamson's AW/10 show and an interview with the man himeself. Big praise goes to the desinger who drew a crowd of familiar faces inclusing Sienna Miller, Twiggy, Yasmin Le Bon, Olivia Palermo, Pixie Lott and Jodie Harsh. The collection drew inspiration from the films of Pedro Almodovar - a Eureka moment Williamson got upon meeting Penelope Cruz. "I was always an admirer of how she looked on screen," he says. "But in the flesh I was quite taken by her. It definitely started me thinking of Spain and that's how the collection began." A rich palette of oranges, shocking pink and mulberry lifted the line which I praise and to which he tongue-in-cheekily replied "said she dressed head to toe in black." He took on board that it was a hereditary hazard being Irish. Aside from colourways, structure was surprisingly present. "It was about making things sharper and stronger but still with a romantic element," says the designer of his architectural form - an evolution beyond the bohemian spirit for which he is known.

LFW - The Soundtrack So Far

Check out what 'choons' have been filling the tents at London Fashion Week:

Paul Costelloe: Dolly Parton, The Great Pretender
Caroline Charles: David Nelson, Man of Constant Sorrow; Gone With the Wind score
Kinder Aggugini: Kate Bush, Hounds of Love
John Rocha: David Bowie, We Could Be Heroes
Ashley Isham: Queen, Flash Gordon; The Stylistics, I Can't Give You Anything (but my love)
Sass & Bide: You've Got the Love (1989 a cappella version)
Topshop Unique: Crystal Fighters, I Love London

John Rocha A/W 10 @ London Fashion Week

John Rocha celebrated his 25 years in the biz with the unveiling of his AW10 collection - a gathering of diverse notions from Deborath Turbeville's 'ninos of Guatemala, to Mayan battle dress and the gauchos of the Argentinean pampas. The brio of these Edwardian ruffians bore through in bowler hats, chunky knits and skin pelts while vertiginous millinery give frayed dresses and bustle skirts a noble edge. Kudos must be given for the magnificent mille feuille detail which spoke of a craftsmanship that could well have exceeded 25 years. Utterly outstanding. Mr. Rocha - you outdid yourself. Touché.

Topshop Unique AW/10 @ London Fashion Week

Covent Garden's flower cellars provided the setting for Topshop Unique's homage to the bucolic. Think Lou Dalton's hawthorn strewn AW/10 menswear collection and multiply that by ten to get the picture. With the who's who of celebrity land lining the front row - Olivia Palermo, Alexa Chung, Liberty Ross, Leigh Lezark, Jefferson Hack and Giles Deacon amongst others - showmanship was top of the agenda. Last season's Marc Jacob's bunny ears are this season's antlers. Satchels? Still in, along with back packs and waisted leather pocketbooks. The big story? Animal hides layered, edged and worn as full pelts. Throw in some chunky socks, big heels and cobweb hair and we've got some Wild Things afoot.

Kinder Aggugini A/W 10 @ London Fashion Week

It takes a ballsy chick to stand up to Napolean. Juliette Recamier was that fiesty broad; the one who embodied intelligence, beauty and rock hard nads (so to speak). It's no wonder then she posed as muse for Kinder Aggugini's A/W 10 collection which parlayed 19th century war uniforms with a feminine flair. Sobriety bristled against soft moth-eaten edges as billowing silk maxi dresses jarred with scraped back buns that would not look out of place on a certain reclusive Amhurst poet. The result was a restrained beauty just bubbling under the surface. A show that surprised and delighted in equal measure.

Ashley Isham A/W10 @ London Fashion Week

Admittedly these aren't the best snapshots but given the cramped standing conditions in the Bloomsbury Hall, I think I did okay. It was my first time @ an Ashley Isham show and it left me with some quirky memories: from the Flash Gordon pre-movie to the model who lost her shoes and another poor girl whose bondage-style mermaid dress forced her to stop mid catwalk three or four times until she bent down and wrenched it up. Fair play missus. Overall I felt it a bit showy for my tastes but I am hearting majorly on the utterly gorgeous Grecian goddess dresses. A masterclass in draping. Spot on.

Paul Costelloe A/W 10 - London Fashion Week

1920s Montana gets the sartorial treament at Paul Costelloe with sassy saloon girls and shadowy gunmen. Think lampshade bustle skirts and fluted collars for the ladies; while the men make like Eastwood in pistol coats and hobnail boots. The new texture combo? Tweed and lamé. Homestead chic with a cheeky twist.

LFW - The Prequel

Finally arrived at The Kensington Hotel. Am sifting through my invites as I type - Vivienne Westwood, Julie Macdonald, Margaret Howell, John Rocha, Sass & Bide amongst many. V excited. Can't see many front row seats in the mix (ST are not initials a fashion journalist wishes to see on an invite - i.e. standing!). Having said that, my hotel room rocks. Much impressed. I shall watch MasterChef in the bath shortly... just after a nifty Espresso. As one does. ;)

StyleNation - iPhone Fashion Apps

Check out the latest ep of StyleNation with our segment on iPhone fashion apps - 4:5-6:45.

LFW - The Clothes Issue

Only three more sleeps until LFW. Yay! Despite my bubbling joy, there's the tricky little issue of what to wear. The will to stand out will always spar with the deep-rooted need for comfort - especially when running between shows. Then there's the issue of styling it large without being profiled for credit card debt; not to mention a meagre 15k baggage allowance. My secret weapon this season? Maxi dresses! Lean on space and huge on potential. Pair them with a blazer or leather jacket or layer them with clashing separates and accessorise at will. Oh, satchels, turbans, clogs, brogues, jeans and genie pants get the thumbs up too. Somerset House here I come!

Maurie & Eve

I love finding new niche labels I can sink my cash into! My latest love is Sydney's Maurie & Eve. Stocked @ Urban Outfitters, the baby Aussie brand (only six years old!) combines cutesy separates with a tough girl edge like this rockin' fringe dress (€183). This is 100% Studio 54 with fluorescent lights. What's more it parlays the tassel trend without looking like there may be a horse on the loose. I'm hoping to have a nose in town this week to see what sizes they have left. Fingers crossed.

Ab Fab @ LFW

Too hysterical not to post. Love Suzy Menkes. Love Patsy. Love Ab Fab. Oh love Kathy Burke too!
Click on 1:27.

London Fashion Week - AW/10 11

It's back! London Fashion Week kicks off again at Somerset House this Friday for the unveiling of its AW10 collections. I'm all sorts of excited. Don't know which tickets I've scored until I get to my hotel on Thursday which makes the anticipation all the more palpable. Wonder if this tee I bought will finagle me a front row seat next to 'the bob'? Anna and Annmarie. Besties! Has a ring to it, dontcha think?

Dirty Fabulous

A big thanks to vintage ateliers Dirty Fabulous for loaning me this fabulous 1940s clutch bag for the Hennessy Gold Cup. If you haven't paid a visit to the Georgian haunt yet, make an appointment or pop in on one of their open days and check out the retro goodies. The prices are exceptional given the quality and age of the garments. You'll walk in like an excited child and walk out like you stepped off the set of Pearl Harbour. A total treat! Check out the goods @ www.dirtyfabulous.com.

R.I.P. Lee Alexander McQueen

1969-2010

Image courtesy of Zimbio.com

The Fashion Bloggers Brunch @ Arnotts

The Fashion Bloggers' Brunch kicked off the 2010 calendar @ Arnotts this Saturday with a growing list of new style scribes. Laura from JustLolo and Ailbhe from Soooali joined us for an endless table of yummy treats, coffee and Buck's Fizz. I was most excited about the more-than-generous goody bag which included Instant Facelift from Skin Doctors cosmeceuticals, Rituals Yogi Flow shower gel and a gorgeous charm key ring from New Zealand label Kathy. More importantly, my new Coccinelle umbrella will keep me stylishly dry at tomorrow's Hennessy Gold Cup. And it wasn't just the goody bag that made table conversation. Convos included Blanaid's Style convention in Kilkenny, OffShoot's amazing dress knocked down to €50, Help My Style's 12 velvet dickie bows for €12 on eBay, Nicky's Rag Tales Bali-esque karma bracelets which are gifted to friends (and which I am wearing!), greige nail varnie, the ironic unlikeliness of Facebook doppelgangers, a potential new vintage/charity shop opening in Dublin, Kate Moss' new Longchamps range @ Arnotts which launches March 1st and the perfect venue and that was the Conran Shop. Muchos thanks to the lovely Sarah Williams @Arnotts for hosting what was a fabulous Saturday brunch. xxx

Harvey Nichols SS10 Fashion Show

Last night saw the unveiling of Harvey Nichols' SS10 collection - a conceptual show and mini movie - based on the 6 day play by Austrian artist Herman Nitch. Paint strewn clowns prefaced the controlled madness with catwalked designs by Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Sonia Rykiel. Kudos on the secret post-industrial venue hidden behind the store. HN is harbouring some serious street cache!

Alila - Blitz Sale!

AGH!!!!!!!!!!! Mega mega sale kicks off at Dublin's Alila boutique this Friday @ 10 am! Owner Ali Murray says, "It is a massive clearout. Everything must go to make room for our fab new collections." You heard the woman. Now get down there. Sale ends Sunday so make sure you nab one of the following discounts:

All Antik Denim €50 reduced from over €300

All Strutt Shoes €50 reduced from €340! (Shoe boots Jolene €425 down to €150 65% off, Katie Boots €560 down to €199 65% off - pictured left)

Otazu Jewellery all 30% off

Evening gowns reduced from €600 to €99

T-shirts from €15, dresses from €39.99

All evening dresses €99

Sinead Doyle

It's rare that I get obsessive about clothes. Okay that's a lie. Let me rephrase. It's rare that I obsess ad infinitum about a particular item of clothing. Normally it's a stormy tempestuous lust-fest which fades to a worn fondness with time. Not with this dress. This is THE dress I've not been able to shake since clapping my peepers on it last year. The bias-cut maxi beauty is the creation of Irish designer Sinead Doyle who knows a thing or three about modern tailoring. It's the kind of dress you will forge excuses to wear - 'Of course, I can wear it washing the car; or paragliding.' Luckily I have a fairly legit one in the offing. As one of the judges for the Hennessy Best Dressed Lady competition at Leopardstown this Sunday, I shall be wearing this baby with pride as I scout. Oh, did I mention she fashioned me a wee turban to go with it? Lovin' your work Sinead! xxx

Credits: A/W 2009 Collection, photographed by Trevor Caldwell (www.silvercloudimagery.com), Make-up by Paula McEvoy, Model Rachel Jones

Location: Silver Cloud Imagery Studios Arklow