Inside Style - Feet

Inside Style by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner magazine – September 30th

Life’s little ironies; don’t you just love ‘em? When I was young, I was alleged to have thrown the mother of all tantrums when taken to get new shoes. Look at me now, ma! Pan to: disturbingly large footwear collection.

According to family lore, I would be teased ruthlessly by my sisters; made to eat their peas while my mother’s back was turned and I wouldn’t as much as flinch - not a whine, not a whimper, not a twitch. Come retrieve thy paltry poker face Lady GaGa. I’ll have none of it!

Somehow this stoicism didn’t quite translate when hitting up Long Island’s Start Rite in the seventies. I would throw myself prostrate on the floor like Maria Callas in a rendition of Tosca as my mortified mother attempted to retrieve my flailing body.  Tears, nashed teeth and pulled hair later, I would succumb to the ignominy of having my feet tampered with by a stranger with a “Hi, can I help you?” badge.

Proceedings reached a perilous crescendo when I hurled a winter boot at my unwitting aunt who deigned to call such instruments of torture ‘pretty’. Melodramatic, moi? Indeed. Some things don’t change. But alas those which do leave us to wonder why life can be oh so cruel.

Since maturing (and acquiring a borderline unhealthy obsession with heels), I’ve had to cope with watching my foot grow to an ungainly size eight, thus putting a halt to my ill-shod gallop. Take my recent brush with a pair of almond-toed, vintage-wedged Dries Van Noten courts – hyphenates to make one hyperventilate. Money in my pocket (for once) and a smile on my face, I presented my shoe like Prince Charming to a comely sales assistant. “We don’t have your size,” she grimaced. “O.K.” I replied. “Could I order them in please?” I enquired hopefully. “Sorry, we never got them in that size to begin with...and won’t.”

Gutted. In a split second I assessed my options. I could throw myself onto the soft pile carpet and sing a refrain of ‘Vedi, Ecco, Vedi’, fling said shoe at my unsuspecting victim, or exit stage left. I took the escalator. Bottom lip aquiver I thought to myself “This kind of thing wouldn’t have happened in Start Rite!” Then again, methinks the Belgians sort of knew their market. Fate thou art a fickle mistress.

Maison Martin Margiela Dot Com

 

Fashion's most avant-garde design house - Maison Martin Margiela - launches the first MMM e-boutique on October 1st. As the 18th flagship store for the brand, the virtual space will parlay the Margiela ethos of no two spaces looking alike. Expect AW/11 collections for men and women played out in a post-modern space of photonegativity, processing codes and a retro MS-DOS font. (Note: I'm thinking the MMM design team are Douglas Coupland fans). Even more exciting is the limited edition of its ‘5 zips’ leather biker jacket reinterpreted in glassed indigo cotton denom for the first time since 1999. Only 100 are available for men and women and are available exclusively online at www.maisonmartinmargiela.com.

Margiela himself may have officiallyleft the building but it looks like the love for Belgian eccentricity is still very much open for business.

Oxfam Tee - Eilis Boyle

Last month I had the privilege of modelling for Eilis Boyle. Eilis was one of five Irish designers chosen to create a t-shirt for Oxfam on the subject of climate change. The tees will be sold exclusively in A|wear from Friday, October 1st with all proceeds going directly to the charity. Take a look below at the genesis from our D-light studio shoot to the final campaign shots. Don't foget to buy a tee and support Oxfam!

Photographer: Beta Bajgartova www.fotobeta.cz
Hair: Irene and Clare Devereux @ Ziggy's Salon 01 454 4030
Make-up: Ellen Quinn-Banville

Venue: D-Light Studios - www.d-lightstudios.com

The Tee

Campaign Shots
Styled by Angela Scanlon
Shot by Johnny Savage

The Marylebone Hotel, London

You'd think I'd be done clacking on about London Fashion Week but a special thanks needs to be extended to The Marylebone Hotel. My boutique home away from home made running between shows and filing copy into the wee hours very easy indeed. This could have something (i.e. everything) to do with their stellar hospitality from a bottle of wine and fruit platter on arrival to nightly stealth drops of hot chocolate and shortbread; not to mention the velvet walls, Temple Spa aromatheraphy products, Jo Malone candles and built-in bathroom LCD TVs. Did I mention it's only 2 minutes from Oxford Street...with the feel of a bijou village. Oh, they're Irish too. Are you sold yet? Why not take a look at these pics (my iPhone drops weren't exactly Stephen Meisel quality) or log onto www.doylecollection.com for more deets.

Drawing Room - check out the zebra chairs!!!

Penthouse Suite

Break Out Area

Foyer

Studio Suite

Nice Place to Chill!

rear windows

A few photos of my wee little room in student halls. Semi-normal blogging can hopefully resume soon now that freshers week is over. This afternoon has been rather bleak and spent with Morrissey on shuffle (granted he is never one to remedy bleakness) while I attempt to get my head around signing up to more courses and generally feeling hazy and dazey with brain as grey as the skies in Control.

Still, I'm enjoying being in a new city and especially relishing my walks back from the University which take me through the Curry Mile and countless Indian wholefood markets to stop by. Aching arms can be justified when they hold carrier bags laden with chapatis and spices for slap up home made Prawn Masalas! Also note my view which serves as a sneaky sort of homage to Hitchcock's Rear Window when dusk falls and each window is an animated little stage framing somebody brushing their hair or standing over a stove in each room.

Chris & Tibor iPad Cases

Granted I may not have an iPad...just yet; but that does not stop me from leaving saliva marks on my laptop screen. Just take a look at these slick-as-Rick iPad cases by Chris&Tibor. These limited ed leopard print patent leather beauties are bound to make you the envy of the envied. My bet says iPad buff Coco Rocha has one in every colour.
Get yours while you can from Christibor.com or TheCorner.com.

Merle O'Grady

I've been more than obsessed with Merle O'Grady's finger bling since interviewing her for Style Nation last February at LFW AW/10 11. Apart from having a stellar client list including Cheryl Cole, Florence Welch and Rihanna, the Dublin native has some serious styles in store for SS/11 that are bound to impress. Think pylons and industrial fittings parlayed in pops of pastel colours. I've pre-ordered a pom pom ring from the collection and was also seen sporting an AW 11/12 sample during LFW last week. It's been super papped by London's street style photographers so prepare to remember where you saw it first!

Merle O'Grady ring
Photo courtesy of You in Red Dress
www.youinreddress.blogspot.com

David Yeo

Introducing David Yeo. In fact, this fashion photographer probably needs little by way of introduction. Based in London, Yeo is a noted contributor to style tomes such as British Vogue, Lula, GQ Style, iD, Dazed & Confused and The Sunday Times Style. He has also been the recepient of accolades including The Guardian Portrait Awards and has exhibited in London's Proud and National galleries. So you can imagine how honoured I was when he asked to take my portrait at London Fashion Week.

Photo courtesy of David Yeo
www.davidyeo.co.uk

Why not pop over to his website and take a look at his image library which is an inspiration in itself; or mosey on over to Marian Kihogo's blog to see his fierce snaps of a super ferosh stylist! Keep an eye out the next time you hit the cobbles at Somerset House; it could be you! :)

www.davidyeo.co.uk

24th september

a blow by blow of todays outfit:

suede coat, second hand/tartan scarf, second hand/topshop unique SS11 totebag (free at the show on Saturday)/obama caricature tee, eBay/green cord jamies, topshop/casio calculator watch, amazon/

Today started twice for me. The first time at 7.30am when the fire alarms shrieked through our halls, summoning everybody from their 3 or so hours of sleep. We all stood outside of our flats with bleary eyes and it made for a very 28 Days Later apocalyptic sight as we assessed each others dressing gowns and various states of undress. Sadly I wasn't lucky enough to spot the guy who apparently with such dedication to safety had run from his room completely naked and casually stood in the bitter North West chill until we were allowed back inside for a continued sleepy slump.

Other notes of interest from the past 12 hours; I bought this diary at the Student Union after Sophie pulled it from her satchel during our meeting with the university newspaper. It makes me feel like I work in Parliament with it's regal red colour and crest. Also when I arrived back home after a couple of hours at the library getting to grips with the system and doing some research on The Graduate for a project I was met by 4 pieces of mail from friends and family. The nice little stack included a New York postcard from Patrice and a care package from my lovely Mum containing tea bags, post-it notes, some forwarded mail and a stash of sweets.

two things

two things:

1. photograph via lolita.se.

2. bananas. one of my favourite shots from probably one of my all time favourite editorials. 'start me up' by juergen teller and bay garnett in UK vogue 2003.

Inside Style - All Saints

Photo courtesy of Lollie Shopping
http://www.lollieshopping.com/

Inside Style by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner magazine – September 23rd

Saints. They’re a bit like plumbers; there’s never a good one on call when an emergency strikes. God knows the Catholic Church has enough of them. My most recent intercession happened this weekend after losing my deceased father’s Claddagh ring. My most prized possession, something which hasn’t left my right hand for at least twenty-three years, suddenly disappeared when I removed it in a bid to have it cleaned. Leaving it atop my jewellery box (ironic or plain stupid ...take your pick), I found it missing the following day.

After forty-eight hours of cleaning the house, moving furniture, dissecting the vacuum bag and discovering a host of dislodged socks, I gave up. My eldest sister called a family pow wow and came back with some sage advice. “The patron saint of lost items is Saint Anthony,” she advised. “Make sure you pray to him.” I felt decidedly relieved. “But pony up;” she added “he doesn’t work for free.” Really? Since when? I felt cheated but given how upset and desperate I was, I took to St. Teresa’s church next to Brown Thomas. Granted the notes I was shoving into the candle box garnered some strange looks. But hey, this was not a case for loose change folks!

A few prayers and a few days later; nada. I took apart the house again; still nothing. A pressing petition to Saint Jude – chief bottle washer of hopeless causes- and I was still none the wiser. I knew it couldn’t be far; but where? Granted I could call the Psychic Zone on Country FM (don’t judge) but the last time they took my call live on air, I ran out of credit. In fairness, they should have seen it coming. Only divine intervention could help. Given Anto and yer man Jude were on voice mail, I thought I’d hit up some of their mates.

For an industry that attracts its adherents in droves, there sure is a dearth of deities. According to my Google trawls, Saint Severus seems to be the big cheese for  drapers, milliners, silk workers, weavers and wool manufacturers. Not exactly my shtick. Then there’s the shoemakers favourite - Saint Crispin. Nah.  What about Saint Llucia – guardian of Fashion designers and blind people? Surely I fall into the latter category. Wait! St. Eligius looks after goldsmiths and jewellers. It’s a miracle! Sigh. Let’s hope he takes Laser. I’m bloody skint.

Inside Style - Hens

Inside Style by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner magazine - September 16th

Hen weekends; the clothing possibilities are endless. But with choice comes chance as I discovered at a friend’s pre-nuptials last weekend. My plan was to pack a failsafe trolley dolly of interchangeable basics – a tactic I believed would help me circumvent any fashion flubs. I succeeded in part. My silk Acne top and below-the-knee pencil skirt were a fitting combination and those suede-soled pony skin kitten heels purred sensible for a night on the tiles.

But alas, my game plan suffered a fatal flaw. As the Girl Guides say ‘always be prepared’; and it seemed this reveller left without her party map. Rather than spending the next few weeks praying that incriminating photos make it onto Facebook (that hush money is in the post girls), I’ve decided instead to share some insider information on dressing for the occasion.

Firstly, assess the terrain. Heels and any surface apart from a carpeted interior can potentially lead to a head-over-boob situation.  Although I tackled a cobbled street without as much as a scratched heel (Paris Fashion Week has me well trained!), the same can’t be said for that wet patch on the nightclub floor. Let’s just say the irony wasn’t lost on the fact that I was dancing to Footloose.

Next, keep it simple. You never know when you may have to alight a bucking bronco.  The combination of a body con skirt and turquoise knickers meant the punters in an establishment-that-shall-remain-nameless got a sideshow with their beer chasers. “Only a few people watching,” I thought to myself, forgetting the whole episode was caught on a 42” widescreen TV in the inside bar. Gulp.

Finally and most importantly, choose your accessories wisely.  Bunny ears, angel wings, feather boas and princess tiaras are the essence of any hen party. Not only do they allow you one last chance to play dress up before making that trip up the aisle, they’re damn good fun too!  Choosing to attach a plastic ‘member’ to my Tiffany key pendant was fun at the time, but two hours and a few cocktails later however, I soon forgot about my little friend. Let’s just say it attracted its fair share of attention.

Still, the night was a resounding success and I’ve returned, not only with fond memories of friends, but with an enhanced appreciation for M&S boy shorts...and sole grips.

manchester week one

phew, freshers week is ambling along (or should I say racing nocturnally) rather nicely. today I (in no particular order) excited myself by signing up to the Other Sounds Society which means I can indulge in such pretentious events as Belle and Sebastian parties and Mix Tape Swap nights. I also got pissed on free wine at the English and American Studies welcome drinks and may or may not have impressed my Professors with chat about the economic state of California. I made some nice new friends on the bus. I bought a couple of stunning Cacti from the house plant sale outside the student union. And spent a good hour or so at the 8th Day healthfood shop weighing up the pros and cons of buying a Miso paste (con when it takes up a half of your daily student budget..)

But yes, and here are some snapshots taken on my phone from the past week or so, also including the Topshop Unique show which I've still to post about. It feels good to finally sit down at my computer even if it is in a hasty moment of TAP TAP TAP before heading down to the campus bar for some more socialising. 

Seeing as I'm awfully behind with all things Fashion Week, which shows have been making your hearts flutter the most? Please do share, I'm awfully out of the loop!

Ps, did I mention that I love Manchester?..

LFW - Miscellany

It's a wrap folks. The cobbles of Somerset House of seen the last of high heels, street style photographers, editors, journalists, stylists and celebrities. I'm a bit bummed to be honest and have already vowed to bring a decent digital camera and iPad with me for next season. Laters London. In the meantime, here's some fashion miscellany for your viewing pleasure.

Ticket sorting en suite at The Marylebone Hotel.

View of the Marylebone rooftops from my room.

Somerset House - the calm before the storm.

Model taking a speed wobble at Betty Jackson.

Topshop New Gen space

The Manifesto

I want!

Fanne Shiavoni's masterpieces

Alice Dellal wearing Pam Hogg wedges - ones for the Santa list!

The Marylebone nightly snack - left bedside with cinnamon tea or hot chocolate!

Carine - I left the best 'til last. A very cool lady indeed.

LFW - Day 5 - Adam Entwisle

For those of you not familiar with Adam Entwisle, the Central Saint Martin's alum cites Roisin Murphy and Bjork among his clients. So, no surprises then that his SS/11 muses are 60s filmmakers Roger Vadim's 60s film starlets from filmaker. Think Jane Fonda as Barbarella and you're on the right track. The sci-fi vibe made for an impactful visual feast and I have to bow my coiff to the hair team. Good work - now dish on what hair spray you guys are using. I want to know!