I Blog Fashion - BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Prepare for some major news folks. I Blog Fashion is STYLING the Joanne Hynes catwalk show at London Fashion Week this season!  The presentation entitled ‘Guerriers’ /‘Warriors’ is inspired by the West of Ireland (Joanne’s home turf), our own warrior queen Grainne Ni Mhuiel and features a unique capsule collaboration with artist Helen Steele.  This cannot-be-missed runway reveal will take place at 11.45am at the Freemason’s Hall, Covent Garden on Sunday, February 22^nd.  Tickets can be requested in Ireland from SRMPR (sonia (at) srmpr (dot) ie) or UK and internationally from SNOW PR (vicki (at) snowpr (dot) com). 

PS: To say I'm excited is an understatement.

www.joannehynes.com
www.helensteele.com
www.iblogfashion.blogspot.com

Dries Van Noten - on the Right Foot for 2011

I've been hankering after these Dries Van Noten shoes for quite some time now. Having used similar pairs in shoots and shows, I eschewed temptation; partially paralysed by IMF guilt. That all changed yesterday. Ringing out 2010 with a visit to Smock, I purchased the last pair in a size 7.5. and danced about like Dionysus on the tear. It's true what they say about delayed gratification - so beautifully sweet....on my feet.

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

Designer Eilis Boyle's Fashion Flash Mob

10th collection from Eilis Boyle on Vimeo.

~ A few words from designer Eilis Boyle ~

What?
'Earlier this year while chatting with Aisling Farinella I mentioned I had started working on my 10th collection. She said we should do something special and came up with the idea of doing a fashion film.  So she put together a dream team Rich Gilligan, Christine Lucignano, Zara Cox, Caitlyn Leckey and Fergal Brennan. We shot the film in a day.It was an exercise of the creative community coming together to make something different.'

Why?
'We wanted to do something new and video seems to have an important role in the industry at the moment. In a few minutes you can communicate a concept, a mood and it translates really well online.'

Who?
'We decided that we would do a simultaneous online launch, working with a lot of our virtual friends and colleagues. When the idea was proposed on Silent Storyteller people responded immediately and to date there are around 27 blogs from Australia to Canada who are taking part in the simultaneous launch.'

For more details log onto www.silentstoryteller.typepad.com.

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

The Dirty Fabulous Gals are Back

Come visit our favourite Fabulettes Kathy and Caroline at their new Wickow Street digs. Fall in love with the same fabulous edit of vintage finds...only now in the centre of town!! I could gush for Ireland but I will let the pics do the talking. Am I excited. Er, just a tad! Squeek!

Dirty Fabulous, 21 Wicklow St, Dublin 2 (above Molton Brown). Tel: 01 611 1842

Kathy and Caroline!

Irish Tatler Designer Showcase - Shanghai

A few weeks ago Joanne Hynes and I styled up 6 signature looks from her collection to go to Shaghai for the Irish Tatler Designer Showcase. Here are some of the photos from the prestigious event. Enjoy!

Matt Doody Atelier Now Open

Matt Doody - Powerscourt Town Centre

Kerry’s crown jewel Matt Doody has opened his own atelier in Dublin’s Powerscourt Town Centre (www.mattdoody.com; 087 232 2382). The former Bow Boutique resident has only moved next door so he's easy to spot. Just look for his signature sumptuously draped dresses in the window. Exciting times to see so many Irish designers proliferating in Powerscourt. Well done Matt!

Joanne Hynes Winter 2010 Fashion Soiree

I love it when a plan comes together and as plans go the Joanne Hynes Winter 2010 preview was master-worthy. The looks were sharp, colourful and directional - perfect for the upcoming party season; or just about anything! A special thanks to everyone who came along on the night including our champagne friends Moet who supplied the bubbly. Have a goo at the social pics after the jump courtesy of Entertainment.ie and Wenn.com.

Model Yomiko

Actress and Author Amy Huberman

Model Aoife

Big Brother's Caoimhe Guilfoyle

Model Aoife

Xpose's Aisling O'Loughlin

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.

Lady GaGa in Hussein Chalayan

Back off Sheika! The Lady of the Fashion Manor is back rockin' some insane Hussein Chalayan! So it's AW/09 - big deal - the black leather 'Perfecto' jacket in GaGa's 'Alejandro' vid is still sick. Needs nothing but a pair of knickers and some glam rock boots. As you do...

BOOMER|STENBERG

Hot hybrid label BOOMER|STENBERG has finally hit our shores. Created by Irish designer Zoe Boomer and Madonna's 'Filth & Wisdom' stylist Stenberg, the result is an interchangeable collection of basics for men and women with a signature rugged elegance. BOOMER|STENBERG is exclusively stocked at 99b, Rathgar (087 290 5402). Go check out the duo's new cashmere collection in store now!

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!

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!

Mono Clothing

I'm having a love affair with Canadian designers at the moment. Last month was Complex Geometries; this month - Mono. Mono is a succession of capsule series and projects which attempt to explore the spaces between art, craft, design and fashion while challenging the complacency within the fashion ideal. Much like Complex Geometries, each piece is like origami art, allowing the wearer manifold fashion possibilities. Clean and structured tailoring (very Comme des Garcons) married with modern architecture = Style² .
It's love folks....

P.S. Mono winter sale is now on. Warning - if you nab that leather collar before me, we won't be on speaking terms. Seriously.

Click here to see life in Mono.

Maison Martin Margiela @ Yoox.com

Get your Ga-Ga on folks. Starting from this week, over one-hunderd one-off Maison Martin Margiela designs will be available to buy through Yoox.com. With items spanning the years 2005-2009, the Maison Martin Margiela Artisinal collection consists of some of the designer's most iconic creations. From the AW08 'wigs jacket' (€7,939) which took 50 hours to make to the Poker Face 'Disco Ball Top' (€5,881). If you've got the chicklets, log onto Yoox.com for your piece of the avant-garde. Stocking masks optional...

Irish Examiner Weekend - Fashion Shoot

For those of you who didn't catch the Irish Examiner Weekend supplement on Saturday, September 26th, here's a peek at our first fashion photo shoot which I styled and organised. Keep a lookout for upcoming shoots in 2009 and 2010.

Credits - Irish Examiner
Stylist and creative director: Annmarie O'Connor
Hair: Karen Buckley and Susan Corcoran @ John Geaney for Hair
Make-up: Liz McCarthy
Models: Laura Keohane and Kellie Forde at Lockdown Models
Photography: Miki Barlok
Location: Hayfield Manor, Cork

Get a Gripp

Perving on Dannii Minogue's new X Factor style? Join the club. Or simply get hold of one of her favourite Aussie labels at online boutique Amelie. This Gripp asymmetric power top worn during the auditions is available now at just £255. Now if only I could find out where to get a hold of that amazing white knuckle duster! Get a Gripp before it's gone.

Armand Basi One @ Asos.com

It was one of the shows that I missed at London Fashion Week last season - and definitely missed out on. Armand Basi One's combo of fluid tailoring and sumptuous natural fibres lends itself to understated luxury. More to the point, a limited collection is available now at Asos.com. I'm loving this wool and angora asymmetric sweater dress at €257.68 and the cashemere blend harems at €321.77. As I am currently crunching my credit however, I'll have to maintain a healthy enthusiasm at a distance...where no one can see me sobbing. Sigh.