The Silent Gallery

Shh!! Don't tell anyone but Irish designer Eilis Boyle has created an online pop-up shop in time for the Christmas shopping season. The Silent Gallery has ironically become the worst kept secret in fashion; in part due to my own loquacious nature. Anything this good can't be kept shtum. And by good I mean superlative cashmere scarves, bow clad arm warmers and shrugs that feel like a big cuddle on a Monday. Be sure to log on now and check out Eilis' virtual cabinet of curiosities. It's only open until December 10th so don't miss out.

The Silent Gallery @ www.thesilentgallery.com

Queen Mary and Dvora

Image courtesy of Dvora at Fashionistable

I'm a bit late posting this (er...very late!) but I just wanted to extend a 'thank you' to street style photographer Dvora who kindly stopped me to take my picture after the Nicole Farhi show at LFW. A shortlistee for Vogue's Photoblog Competition, Dvora has a real kinship with Ireland having spent lived in Belfast. She took a liking to my coiff and my Queen Mary necklace. Those who know me know that this piece is from Joanne Hynes' a/w 10 collection and is rarely seen off my neck! I'm always fascinated at what a photographer can see and their ability to capture a mood.When you consider the chaos that ensues outside of a show, I appear surprisingly pensive! Thanks again Dvora and pop in for a cuppa, next time you're in Ireland! Axx

Smock - New Label Launch - November 4th

That's today folks! Be sure to pop by Drury Street's Smock boutique from 5pm to check out a bevy of new labels...and maybe have a bevvie too!

Karen and Susan are excited to introduce one new Danish label  LUCKY BOY SUNDAY.  Not to mention eco-friendly children's label POP UP SHOP and another one for the little'uns - LOU LOU and BALTHAZAR.

There are also some more beautiful creations from DAVID SZETO.  Inspired by the laid back glamour of hollywood actresses from the 1930's and 40's, Katherine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyick, Ingrid Bergman and Greta Garbot. What's not to love?

Smock - 31 Drury Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 613 9000

The World's Largest Bag...Really!

This is just a heads up to those who slag me off for carrying bags too big to pass as cabin luggage on Aer Lingus. I'll see you and raise you a 12 foot tall Hermes Kellydoscope. Ha! In your face!

And it actually is; right inside the Brown Thomas accessory hall to be precise. Officially the largest bag in the world, the gargantuan tote has been cinched as a global exclusive for Dublin. Be the first to step inside this glamourous toy and experience what its like to be the contents of someone's bag. I won't give it away but suffice to say it warrants the dizzy spell! Being jostled inside the leather structure is about as close to an Hermes I'm likely to get this side of marrying Simon Cowell, George Clooney or Keanu Reeves. I haven't quite decided yet. While I ponder my future husband, take a closer look at every woman's dream bag.

Step Inside!

The short experiential film

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

Jordan Becomes an IT Girl

Katie Price unveils her own brand of iPods

From: Andy
To: Neil, Annmarie
Subject: I'm wiping out the Pritt Stick and iPods

Check this out. It says 'techie yet practical'.


From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
Subject: Re: I'm wiping out the Pritt Stick and iPods

This is exactly what the IT gays have been waiting for, the collision of of tech & tat. Next up will be Girls Aloud being shot around the Large Hadron Collider.

From: Andy
To: Neil, Annmarie
Subject: Re: Re: I'm wiping out the Pritt Stick and iPods

I thought it was the Sugarbabes getting loaded with Froyo; or maybe that's Katie Price as well.

Irish Examiner Millinery Photoshoot

CROWNING GLORY
Bijou garden parties, whimsical weddings, champagne galas or race meets – wherever you go this summer, you need little else but a hat to make an entrance. Make sure yours gets them talking!

Shot 1 – Gatsby Girl
Frieda
Lace and Swarovski crystal hat, Edel Ramberg €POA
Waterfall diamond earrings, Boodles €7,150
Blossom pink gold and diamond long necklace, Boodles €9,900
Gloves, stylist’s own
‘Becca’ shoes, Nina Divito €585

Shot 2 – Tea for Two
Anya
Vintage mink and lace hat, Edel Ramberg €385
Vintage sable stole, stylist’s own
Yellow beryl and diamond earrings, Boodles €7,980
Yellow beryl ring, Boodles €6,400
Fingerless lace gloves, Glovedup.com £45
Inta
Philip Treacy hat, Design Centre €1,239
Raindance long strand earrings, Boodles €19,800
Double row Raindance collar, Boodles €POA
Large Raindance ring, Boodles €35,000
Vintage lace gloves, Jenny Vander €28
Manolo Blahnik shoes, Brown Thomas €495

Shot 3 – Travelling in Style
Anya
Swarovski crystal heart hat, Tootsie Royale €POA
Amethyst and diamond Tonneau earrings, Boodles €3,800
Amethyst and diamond Tonneau pendant, Boodles €2,750
Amethyst and diamond Tonneau ring, Boodles €2,850
Gauntlet gloves, Glovedup.com £75
Miu Miu bejewelled patent peep toe shoes, Covet €80 to borrow for 3 days
Frieda
Leopard print pill box hat. Tootsie Royale €110
Raindance large loop necklace, Boodles €POA
Raindance droplet earrings, Boodles €6,800
Gauntlet gloves, Glovedup.com £75
Mary Francis bag, Alila €195

Shot 4 – Dressage
Frieda
Riding hat, Linda McKay €490
Firefly earrings, Boodles €16,000
Black organza bolero (worn as a neckpiece), Bonzie Crotty €145
Cotton grosgrain ribbon (worn as bow), A. Rubanesque €2.50 per metre
Glitterati stud earrings worn on bow, Boodles €6,600
Gloves, stylist’s own
Manolo Blahnik ‘Napoleana’ boots, Brown Thomas €960

Shot 5 – Vanity Fair
Frieda
Philip Treacy pink floral spray, Design Centre €989
Morganite spaghetti earrings, Boodles €7,370
Kunzite and diamond cocktail ring, Boodles €8,650
Scarf, stylist’s own
Inta
Silver embellished disc detail headpiece by Sarah Mc Gahon, Covet €75 to borrow for 3 days
Glitterati diamond earrings, Boodles €6,600
Blossom white gold and diamond long necklace, Boodles €9,900
Large Roulette diamond bracelet, Boodles €17,000
‘Livi’ shoes, Nina Divito €585

Anya
Bejewelled combed headpiece by Brett O' Mahony, Covet €80 to borrow for 3 days
Ribbon, stylist’s own
Lace ribbon (worn as bra), A. Rubanesque €28 per metre
Cuff, Bonzie Crotty €67

Shot 6 – Brideshead Revisited
Frieda
Lace ribbon (worn as headband), A Rubanesque €28 per metre
Pearl necklace, stylist’s own

Shot 7 – Portrait of a Lady
Anya
Vintage lace pillbox hat, Linda McKay €390
Diamond Lagoon earrings, Boodles €17,600
Red silk wrap (worn as neckpiece), Bonzie Crotty €48

Credits
Stylist and Shoot Producer: Annmarie O'Connor @ iblogfashion@gmail.com; 087 976 4920
Stylist’s Assistant: Catherine Glasheen
Hair: Susan Corcoran @ John Geaney for Hair - www.johngeaney.ie; 021 450 3788
Make-up: Kate O’Reilly using MAC Make-up- info@kateoreillymakeup.com;
Models: Anya, Frieda and Inta @ 1st Option www.1stoption.ie; 01 670 5233
Photography: Miki Barlok - www.barlokphoto.com; 086 223 7081
Location: The Westbury Hotel – www.doylecollection.com; 01 679 1122


Special thanks to The Westbury:
The Westbury Hotel, part of the Doyle Collection www.doylecollection.com.

Frigiliana Finds

Even in a remote Andalusian village, I Blog Fashion still manages to get her shop on. Check out these gorge finds including an industrial neckpiece (€14), coral (€4) and turquoise (€10) finger bling. I would have pummeled the shopping depths of Frigiliana further had my suitcase not weighed a bloated 23.5 kilos. The irony? 4.5 kilos of that was already jewellery!

China Pink Closing Down Sale

Arse. Another great Irish business closes its doors this week. Ranelagh’s China Pink jewellery boutique is bidding adieu to its Dunville Avenue residence but not before slashing prices by 50% on names like Phillipe Ferandis, Tatty Devine and MoMuse. Think wedding season, summer parties, birthday presents, holiday accessories and for you hyper-organised folk...Christmas presents. Don't shoot me, it was just a suggestion. Pay a visit and your respects from 10-6 Thurs and Fri; and 11-6 on Sat. Bon chance mes amis! xx
Contact: 085 144 3623; www.chinapink.ie

Barbara Rihl - Paris Store Launch

Accessories designer Barbara Rihl launches her flagship store in Paris' 1st arrondissement this week. Rihl, former Kenzo artistic director and student of both Karl Lagerfeld and Jill Sander has drawn on her vast experience to create a line of affordable yet aspirational handbags, scarves and tees. This - her first eponymous boutique - reflects the playfulness of the brand in its chic whimsical demeanour as designed by Belgian architect Olivier Lempereur. If you find yourself in the Tuileries, pop in and have a browse!

The Louloubelle Road Trip

Louloubelle bags are going on the road! From May 20th - 30th, designer Louise O'Leary will be packing up her VW camper van with oodles of Italian leather totes and clutches to sell at discounts of up to 75%. Look out for the pop up sales which will be hitting up Waterford, Cork, Galway, Newcastle West, Dublin and Westport. The 100th customer gets a free bag! Excited? But of course! Log onto www.louloubellebags.com for further deets.

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!

Want Some Wasson?

Model-of-the-moment and total ride Erin Wasson is now adding 'jewellery designer' to her C.V. Not content with being a muse and stylist to Alexander Wang, Wasson has launched - Low Luv X - a capsule collection of base metal rings, necklaces and bangles inspired by the Southwestern desert. Gotta love those chunky scarab-adorned knuckle rings and crucifix necklaces. Totally waiting-list worthy. Gush!

Get a piece of Wasson now at My-wardrobe.com.

Digging Digby & Iona

I'm seriously digging Digby & Iona at the moment. Apart from the fact that they are yet ANOTHER rad jeweller from Brooklyn (can that town get any hipper?); they make the narliest knuckle dusters! I'm loving this 'Black Spot Two Finger' creation ($220) which can be customised to suit your finger size. Fierce in the good kinda way!

Check out my fellow New Yorkers @ www.digbyandiona.com or pop into Dublin's Loulerie boutique for your retail fix.

I Blog Fashion & Love Ray Bans

I was gifted a pair of Ray Bans the other day and have since been prancing around Dublin like a would-be celebrity. Peering into every reflective surface, including the bread bin to the right, I'm likely to give Narcissus a run for his vainglorious money. You see, these are the first sunnies I've encountered that DON'T sit crooked on my nose. My vintage Pop glasses always need a little nudge, as do the Zara aviators which slide down the bridge of my nose. What I also like about these tortiseshell beauties is their width - decent coverage without looking oversized in manner of disturbing clown. Loving it²!

Babette Epaulette

I'm obsessing majorly of late about concept accessories. Knuckle dusters, head dresses and bitchin' neck pieces (see: Mono Clothing) have been filling my reverie to the point of absolute distraction. To add Bathsheba to bijou, my resolve has been further challenged by the prurient Babette Epaulette. Worn on the rise of the shoulder and harnessed around the upper torso in fringe, feather, leather, chain and spikes, these babies are going to be my undoing. Wear 'em over bare skin , a tank, jacket or cardigan and - KERPOW! - insta street cred! What's more, designer, Seville Michelle Anastos is from Queens. Big love to my fellow New Yorkers. You rule!

Cutesy Christmas Gift

O.K. Christmas gifts don't get any dinkier than a set of Tiffany's playing cards. These arrived today at I Blog Fashion HQ with resulting squeals of delight. Am very much looking forward to some festive Go Fish with a wee dram of Baileys to hand. Yes - I'm an old lady at heart. Can't be helped, Lady Gaga already has dibs on that poker face.

Beetle & Flor

I'm having a major love fest at the moment with Brooklyn. Not only do my family hail from 8th Avenue and Bayridge; but bklyn also boasts tie twosome Sovereign Beck and edgy jewellers BittersweetsNY. Let's not forget its equally fashionable residents - Beetle and Flor. If you like your design a bit on the edgy side, why not ask Santa for one of their rad animal skulls fitted with an 18k gold grill. Too much? Why not try the gold capped tooth pendant. Much more interesting than a pair of socks...dontcha think?

Check it out at Estsy.com.

kind regards and Happy Holidays!!

Bijoux by Barbara Bui

Parisian rock chick Barbara Bui launches her new silver jewellery line on November 26th. Exclusively dedicated to chains, the collection is simple and modern, playing with Bui's signature androgynous femininity. If her AW09 RTW collection was anything to go by, this bijoux will make you want to jump on the back of Harley and take a roadtrip from L.A. to Vegas. Très rue!