Win €150 Voucher for Freedom Clothing

Freedom Clothing, Galway is giving away a €150 voucher to spend in store on any of their men’s or women’s clothing. All you need to do is like Freedom Clothing on Facebook and finish the following sentence “I like Freedom Clothing because...” in less than 20 words. Post your answer on their wall before 5th June. The best chosen entry will win.  Terms and Conditions apply. Join Freedom Clothing on Facebook for details. 

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

Freedom Clothing: 10 Abbeygate Street, Galway. Ph: 091-865 989

Saturday Morning Read

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - May 28th

HOW TO WEAR IT....Colour Blocking
Make a statement with fashion’s boldest trend. Annmarie O’Connor shows you how.

Outfit 1
Keep it simple. Wear one strong colour head-to-toe for a lengthening and silhouette-slimming impression.

Royal blue Paradisa maxi dress, Reiss €245
Jaeger cuff, Harvey Nichols €80
Brian Atwood Maniac suede heels, Brown Thomas €545

Outfit 2
Transform your desk-to-dinner wear with a simple change of shoes. The Royal blue / Kelly green combo makes a statement without adding further accessories.

Blue blazer, Zara €79.95
Long John racer back vest, Reiss €50
Green pencil skirt, Zara €49.95
Brian Atwood Maniac suede heels, Brown Thomas €545

Outfit 3
Dim the lights on fluro brights with a denim blazer. Create visual interest with a contrasting colourful print like Prada-esque stripes.

Jaeger denim blazer, Arnotts €310
Yellow t-shirt, Penneys €13
Stripe skirt, Zara €39.95
Nicole Farhi Charlotte brogues, Brown Thomas €360

Styled by Annmarie O’Connor
Assisted by Ellen Quinn Banville
Photos by Miki Barlok

Wardrobe Wants

A selection of wardrobe wants lined up for our next set of How to Wear It shoots in the Irish Examiner Weekend supplement. Note: I want them all!

The Irish Examiner Weekend supplement - out every Saturday (€1.90).

Inside Style - Louboutin does Dublin

Christian Louboutin Rollerball Spikes AW/11 12

Inside Style - by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner - May 26th

Killer heels. They’ll soon be the death of me. As the uncrowned queen of footwear frippery, I have been known to sport everything from winkle-picking stilettos to nosebleed-inducing platforms. Despite my six foot frame, I'm rarely seen sans hernia-inducing heel. Although my face-to-pavement success rate has been unsullied to date (bar some textbook Temple Bar cobble wobbles), my ability to master the art of balance has been belied by a more fickle footwear trend – hardware.

Having recently had breakfast at Residence with cult cobbler Christian Louboutin, I got a sneak peek into the shoe meister’s coveted autumn winter/11 collection. Despite my own predilection for a Pigalle, I was shocked (nay, slightly turned on) to see such armoury afoot. Pincer-sharp gold spikes protruded from a pair of lipstick red peep toes with spike heels resembling Ninja darts. “Has anyone ever impaled themselves on these?” I blurted out.

Yes would be the answer – both J.Lo and Kim Kardashian have been spotted on the red carpet with scraped and bloody ankles.  Given their petite frames and low centres of gravity (helped no doubt by famously prodigious posteriors), this seemed like frightening math. I wouldn’t stand a chance (literally) even with a not-so-famous (although admittedly ample) bum.  Two letters and an ampersand sprang to mind: A&E. Sigh. They’d have been ideal for queue-jumping, personal space, getting served first at the bar.

Rapidly my eyes clapped on a singular bedazzled Daffodil mega platform. The crystal-encrusted 6.5 inch heel eponymously named after socialite Daphne Guinness seemed less of threat. Seen most recently on a very pregnant Posh at Kate Middleton’s wedding, I felt I could probably rock these bad boys. Then again the six month baby ballast could be reason for not having stumbled and stolen the show from Pippa....I mean, the lovely couple.

“They’re my favourite,” I told Louey B. He concurred; although he did advise on a less vertiginous pair with side cleavage and an ankle strap for my self-professed flat feet (family of cops, what can you do?). That seemed a wise choice; one which I was prepared to make in the interest of health and safety. I did however make a sneaky mental note of some comely metallic studded slippers.  Not exactly Ninja weaponry but perfect for when telly night beckons – and the new series of Ab Fab. Edina Monsoon would approve. But of course, sweetie.

London College of Fashion @ New Look

Slurp! Look what's arrived at New Look: 6 brand new spanking shoe styles from the London College of Fashion Master's Collection. Just pop into the Jervis Street Centre where you can get your hands on said foot candy from just €44.99. My personal favourites are these two wedges by student Ruth Jones. Keep an eye on her. My guess is her name will be joining the school's illustrious alumni list which also includes cult cobblers Jimmy Choo, Patrick Cox and Emma Hope.

Barry and Shelley O'Bama do Dublin

Courtesy of the Brown Thomas display windows. Love it!

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - May 21st

HOW TO WEAR IT....Animal Prints 
Wondering how to pull off the latest trend? Annmarie O’Connor says animal prints are way to go.

Outfit 1
A pop of colour takes jungle camouflage to notice-me-now status in an instant.

Pinko black blazer, Harvey Nichols €385
Leopard dress, Zara €39.95
Brian Atwood ‘Maniac’ suede heels, Brown Thomas €545
Jaeger cuff, Harvey Nichols €80
Chain, Annmarie’s own

Outfit 2
Animal prints can be quite intimidating. Add a lion tee to a monochrome suit for a more tongue-in-cheek approach to the trend. 

Jaeger tuxedo jacket, Arnotts €310
Lion t-shirt, H&M €12.95
Acne cream trousers, Brown Thomas €180
Ring, Annmarie’s own
Kurt Geiger leopard print shoes, Annmarie’s own 

Outfit 3
Coral is the perfect hue for softening up a fierce animal prints. It’s also super flattering on just about all skin tones.   

Pearl coral leopard print dress, Reiss €210
Opening Ceremony ‘Chantal’ shoes, BT2 €380

Styled by Annmarie O’Connor
Assisted by Ellen Quinn Banville
Photos by Miki Barlok

Inside Style - Hate Mail

Inside Style - by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner -  May 19th 

Richard Blackwell would be proud. This week I made it onto a Worst Dressed Lists (of sorts) – compiled by a woman in West Cork. Let me explain. Sandwiched in my usual An Post delivery of bills and bumph was a handwritten missive ripped from a spiral bound notebook, sealed in an addressed envelope – stamped and all.
Inside lurked an inky diatribe detailing my own sartorial misgivings recommending that I, said purveyor of such atrocities, should not be dispensing style counsel when in so desperate need of it myself.  Jeez lady, say what you mean.

Once the reproach had subsided, I took pause to consider the advice which had passed (unsolicited) over my threshold. Could my clothing choices be that divisive? Granted I do possess a glad eye for tectonic-plated tailoring but Lady Gaga I most certainly am not. It was time to capitalise on the advice of friends ‘so Frank they could be a family of Butchers’.  Move over Pat.

“Ha! You’re controversial. Who’d have thought?” sniggered one.  This is the same guy who thinks Nicky Minaj pedestrian. Time to get a second opinion.

“Frame it! You’ve arrived! Only the truly famous get hate mail,” quipped another.  Although flattering, I’m pretty sure my gal-never-about-town status occludes me from the fame moniker.

“Why don’t you just make yourself a nice cuppa and use the flaming thing as a coaster. That’s all it’s good for really,” bid the third. True but I’d rather not have phrases such as ‘disgrace’ and ‘the state of you’ interfering with my caffeine buzz.

I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed. After all that effort, the jibes were rather lacklustre. How I longed for a Blackwellian caustic quote or the poetic chutzpah of Joan Rivers.  Would it be too much to call me ‘Hulk Hogan in sequins’?  What about a soupcon of consonant rhyme or alliteration? Celine Dion gets to be called ‘a profusion of confusion’ and I simply get ‘how dare you’. I felt hard done by; more like a naughty child than a sartorial rule breaker.

Had she left a forwarding address, I would have returned the sub-par panning with a ‘could do better’ comment.  It seems that everyone’s a critic but only few are truly cut out for the job. Go hard or go home missus!  I only accept truly lacerating lashings.

Inside Style - Hue Must Be Kidding

Rainbow Brite & her cohorts

Inside Style - by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner - May 12th

Colour-blocking. Sounds like a method used by anti-rainbow protestors. It’s really not so far off (even if ROYGBIV haters seem a bit of a stretch). The practice, in fact, finds its roots in the fashion community where two primary colours are placed in close proximity; or in the case of spring summer/11 versus Jill Sander – screaming neon.

It’s as if the world has woken up from a trippy REM state and discovered it had been Tangoed. I’m all for shedding the funeral black come spring (no, actually that’s a lie) but the catwalk’s recent catarrh of colour is giving me a headache.  Call me a fashion heretic (or worse yet, Celine) but I like my palette low-fi. Granted I make up for it in bringing five kilogrammes of jewellery with me on summer holidays but that’s another rant.

This season however I did decide to invest in some red for a hoot.  “Colour-blocking?” a friend enquired suspiciously of my pillarbox Acne maxi skirt. “No, colour-diluting,” I affirmed, keen to point the presence of a white tank top and black leather jacket.  “I’d like to retain my eye sight a while longer if possible.”

“Agreed,” replied the friend who added that geography, lifestyle, age and melanin levels should be mandatory benchmarks with which to gauge one’s pigment risk level.

“We’re too far north to merit dipping into the trend,” advised the friend.  “No teaming of fuchsia and green will mitigate being pelted with lifesize hailstones in the middle of summer. Leave it to those living in St. Tropez.” True.

“Furthermore, I’ve yet to hear of anyone reaping the benefits of wearing canary yellow on a hangover. It just makes you look more like a corpse which is not what you want when you already think you’re dead.” Very true.

“Oh and that also applies to being pale and/or over the age of forty. Just don’t do it.” Jeez. And I thought I was the curmudgeon.  “Smart move,” he added of my skirt hue. “Had you gone for orange or lime, it could have been iffy.”  Iffy?

It would appear that even if I wanted to go all Technicolour, my demographic has me firmly ensconced in black and white.  Best sit tight until monochrome makes its reappearance I guess. Either that or lobby for a total ban on any fruit-based hues. God I am getting old.

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - May 14th

HOW TO WEAR IT....Polka Dots
Polka dots are the `70s-inspired summer power print. Annmarie O’Connor shows you how to wear them.

Outfit 1
Take a less literal approach to the trend with a polka dot bow sweatshirt.

Polka dot sunglasses, Penneys €3

‘I Love My Tees’ sweatshirt, BT2 €140
Printed trousers, Topshop €58
Miu Miu ‘Godfrey’ sandals, Brown Thomas €350

Outfit 2
Keep it playful with a bright polka dot tee and a casual denim romper.

Zandra Rhodes headscarf, Annmarie’s own

Yellow sunglasses, Penneys €1.50
Yellow polka dot tee, H&M €9.95
Denim playsuit, Penneys €19
Todds green suede moccasins, Brown Thomas €285

For the full version pick up a copy of today's Irish Examiner.

Summer Shoe Masterclass - Sat, 14 May

With the mercury rising and our boots relegated to the back of the closet, there's finally a bit more wiggle room in the shoe department. With said choice however comes an attendant option paralysis. Espadrilles, wedges, clog-sandals; oh my! Tip-toe around the semantic minefield if you will but there's a brave new world of footwear on the seasonal horizon and a shiny spanking new lexicon. (Flatforms anyone?) If you'd like to a steer on new trends for your tootsies, join me at Brown Thomas' Shoe Rooms this Saturday (May 14th) for a series of summer shoe workshops.

Summer Shoes SS/11 Style Platforms with Annmarie O'Connor
Saturday, 14th May @Brown Thomas: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. 4pm.

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - May 7th

HOW TO WEAR...Jumpsuits and Playsuits

Jumpsuits and playsuits are summer’s all-in-one style solution. Annmarie O’Connor shows  you how to wear them.

Outfit 1
Silk adds feminine sheen to a masculine all-in-one.  Pair with ankle boots for a relaxed look.

  Ghost jumpsuit, Arnotts €255
Beau Coops ankle boots, BT2 €235 

Outfit 2
When the mercury rises, opt for a playsuit. Flat shoes like these suede loafers work best with a short hemline, keeping the look cool and breezy.

Zandra Rhodes headscarf, Annmarie’s own
Ombre sunglasses, Penneys €1.50
Jay Godfrey playsuit, Alila €335
Tod’s green suede moccasins, Brown Thomas €285

For the full version pick up a copy of today's Irish Examiner.

Sandro

If you happen to be about Dublin town tomorrow, do pop in to Brown Thomas where I'll be presenting key looks from French go-to label Sandro. Combining classic pieces with a contemporary twist, the SS/11 collection draws on an eclectic moodboard of references from The Virgin Suicides to `50s Pink Ladies; Harvard and The Hamptons. There are even some flamingoes to be seen - winner! Garment runs are limited and apparently Alexa Chung is a big fan, so claim your favourite pieces while you can.

Sandro SS/11 Style Platforms with Annmarie O'Connor

Saturday, 7th May @Brown Thomas: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. 4pm.

Inside Style - Dress Codes

Image courtesy of Toddlers and Tiaras - TLC Television

Inside Style - by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner - Thurs, 6th May 

Dress codes.  They ain’t what they used to be. It would appear that the boundaries of social propriety have stretched to accommodate new sartorial taxonomies and an attendant breed of woes.  Recently, I received an invitation to a party in Paris which advised ‘wow wear’ attire. Bemused as to its definition, I resorted to Google with a litany of search results from the TLC show ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’. 

The term, widely used in American pageant circuit, refers to flashy age-inappropriate clothing for children, often worn in conjunction with ‘flippers’ or fake front teeth. Mental scarring aside, I extrapolated what I could from its definition, settling on ‘sparkly’ and ‘fun’. Arriving at the evening soirée in a pearlescent soigné cocktail dress, I soon discovered that French dress codes, however ‘wow’ translate as ‘black’ and ‘casual actually’. I blame Isabel Marant and her ‘dress down’ disciples. Wagon.  

Thankfully I’m not the only one cast adrift in this semantic raft. A friend emailed me this morning in a quandary about the demarcations of ‘black tie’: full-length, knee-length, midi, oh my! “I don’t have a rasher,” she confessed. “The last time I attended a formal event, I wore a black gown with matching elbow gloves, a fur stole and a top bun.  When I arrived at the venue, the porter ushered me to the orchestra pit mistaking me for the opera singer. I still cringe.”

Indeed, such confusion is not solely a social remit but one that not increasingly includes the working realm. Ever since Obama introduced ‘business casual’ into weekend White House wear, there’s been some serious style Sudoku afoot.  To suit or not to suit that is the question; not least whether one can finesse a Leinster jersey into the boardroom.   Blue and white polyester aside, at least we know pink shirts to be a political blunder as proven by Wexford TD Mick Wallace with a special mention for Richard Boyd Barrett’s untucked hems.  

Maybe Fine Gael chief whip Paul Kehoe is right, dress codes have ‘gone to pot’ but with that comes the opportunity to re-establish sartorial (and ergo social) boundaries.  Perhaps politicians should look at boiler suits (if they’re to clean up the country), economists at hair-shirts and  bankers at bullet proof vests – or straitjackets.  As for the rest of us, we can don some ‘wow wear’ and watch the show.

Wall & Keogh

This weekend, my friend Karina and I popped into one of my favourite cafes Wall & Keogh. Located on Dublin South Richmond Street (just across from the George Bernard Shaw), this organic tea room isn't just a repository for Rooibos,Camomile and Earl Grey blends; it also has a surprising fashion element. Sit inside at one of the four tables which bear the likeness of famous faces such as Jackie O and Twiggy; or take a pot of Irish Cream and Liver Replenisher as we did (one of us went out the previous night; the other didn't) and relax on an old bedframe strewn with cowhide pillows while listening to some chill out tunes. Oh, and they also sell sushi! This place is very new and under the radar at the moment, but something tells me the latter is set to change.

Grab a 'scald' @ 45 Sth Richmond St, Portobello, D2. Tel: 01 475 9052 or LIKE them on Facebook.

P.S. This is I Blog Fashion's 800th post. Let's drink a cuppa to that!

From their FB page

Groovy tables - from their FB page