Man Flu Musings

I've been struck down with a serious case of Man Flu. The much derided and seemingly apocryphal ailment germane to the Y chromosome has infiltrated my world. Think raw nose, battery sneezing and enough antibacterial gel to sterilize a Jersey Shore smush room. (Sorry Snooki...) In fact, I'm feeling so sorry for myself, I could probably write a Country and Western song. Instead, I raided the guest room where I keep my second wardrobe and started creating new looks for 2011. I'm thinking of those Grace Jones razor edges for some East Coast preppy. Could this be the psychoactive delusions of a Lempsip and Ibuprofen cocktail? Give it another 48 hours and we'll see...

Cos top, Aquascutum shirt, River Island skirt, Dries Van Noten shoes

Wildchild Vintage tartan wool skirt and Joanne Hynes belt

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.

I Blog Fashion's Fashion Wrap Up

It's been an eventful year at I Blog Fashion; such that I've had little time to actually blog. Let's take a bit of a look back on the year that was. Wishing you all an amazing 2011 filled with good weather and absent of any water restrictions, cancelled flights or thermal 'fashion'. Here's to the new year. A xx

January

The month that gave Ireland its first installment of the Big Freeze. Unaccustomed to dressing for Baltic temperatures, I Blog Fashion spent a lot of time wearing her sister's climbing boots. Who would have guessed they'd be reprised later that autumn as footwear fashion must-haves. Good call. ;)

February
I Blog Fashion had the pleasure of joining Philip Treacy on the judging panel for the Hennessy Best Dressed Competition at Leopardstown and interviewing David Koma, Merle O'Grady and Matthew Williamson at LFW. The Matthew interview was a bit of a 'robbery' as they'd say on Jersey Shore. I snuck back stage through the back door when the bouncer wasn't looking. Jesus, I can't believe I just quoted The Situation....

March
Slow news month. Face Hunter came to Dublin. I prepared for a busy April.

 April

 I Blog Fashion took the mic on a number of awesome shows, workshops and judging panels. Starting with a capsule wardrobe workshop at 'Absolut Style at Set' organised by the lovely Blanaid Hennessy from Blanaid.com. Next Joanne Hynes and I held at trunk show at Brown Thomas Cork to introduce her s/s 10 collection. I then got my glad rags on to host the Hennessy X.O Literary Awards at Trinity College Dublin and was kindly asked to join the judging panel at Cork Fashion Week's Young Designer Awards and SaySo.ie. This was also the month that kickstarted a summer of Brown Thomas and BT2 style masterclasses and my weekly In Style column in The Dubliner.

May
My birthday, a month of Brown Thomas style masterclasses and a fun interview with Henry Holland.This was also the month that gave us 'The Plume'.

June

'Holiday! Celebrate! Just one day out of life...' And not a moment too soon. Neil (I Blog Fashion's Gaydar contributor), Joanne and I headed off to Frigliana, Spain for a week of sun, wine and poolside lounging. I managed to bring and further amass over 4kgs of jewellery which tipped my 20kg allowance at Malaga airport. Cringe!

July
More styling fun, this time a beautiful millinery shoot for The Irish Examiner shot by the very talented Miki Barlok.

August
More shoots and new people to work with -a  front cover fashion spread for The Dubliner and another front cover feature for The Irish Examiner - this time with Daithi O'Se. A major thank you to my erstwhile assistant Catherine Glasheen who was a tremendous help on all of these shoots. Dublin's loss is London's gain! Also a big hello to Maurice Flynn and Beta Bajgartova who I Blog got to work with again during the year.

September
And the madness steps up a notch...or three. Front cover a/w trend report for the The Irish Examiner, London Fashion Week which saw Joanne Hynes leather armour jacket becoming engendering a pap frenzy including Vogue Nippon, WGSN and Browns Focus. Also shot the Oxfam tee for the amazing Eilis Boyle.

October

Joanne Hynes and I team up for two more catwalk shows including The Irish Tatler Designer Showcase in Shanghai and a crazy successful trunk show at Brown Thomas with Big Brother's Caoive Guilfoyle and actress/author Amy Huberman in attendance. Also had the pleasure of styling two showcases for Image magazine at BT2.

November

Another great shoot for The Sunday Times Style (out this Feb) shot by Andreas Pettersson. I Blog Fashion also had the opportunity to host a style workshop for the Women in Business and Finance. Speakers' fees tradtionally go to a chosen charity; with mine donated to Focus Ireland. A big thanks to the gorgeous Louise O'Reilly who offered her modelling services on the day.

December

With The Big Freeze; Part Deux firmly ensconsed in Dublin, I Blog Fashion bucked the 'stay at home' trend and held a Christmas-themed shoot on the roof of The Clarence hotel. -7 degrees, snow and Christmas songs blasting from the radio. Thanks to the superlative John Geaney and Kate O'Reilly whose hair and make-up skills erased all traces of frostbite. I Blog Fashion also made the shortlist on Faye Dinsmore's 'Most Influential' list in the blog category. Many thanks missus. I Blog is currently working on a lovely project for Louis Vuitton with some exciting secrets to be revealed in 2011. Watch this space....

Christmas Present Panic

Image courtesy of Dorky Boy Comics
www.dorkboycomics.com

I love to shop. This is a fact undisputed. Yet every December my mojo mysteriously short-circuits resulting in an epic case of Christmas present panic.

Last week, I stood in the middle of River Island with a Galliano style Mohawk hat, a teddy bear iPod cover and a ‘Grow Your Own Sponge Bob’.  The mixture of fear and dementia in my face told a cautionary tale. I felt like I was holding kryptonite and felt an additional pang of guilt for whoever was to be schlepped with Mr. Square Pants. And with that, I dropped my armful of alms on the nearest display unit and made a dash for the door.

At home lay a further ramshackle of wrong choices prompted by a combination of too little time, too many people and Slade blasting through shop speakers.  Lest I wanted to be banned from the family Christmas forever more, I thought it wise to implement a plan – if only to avoid fobbing off those fur mittens as hand puppets to my six year old niece.

Hence, a list was made, time blocked off and blinkers adjusted. I stormed each shop like Anneka Rice on a treasure hunt – only minus the jumpsuit, headset and Richard the soundman. You get the picture...

“Do you have an oversized cross-body bag that will suit a fifteen year old who loves Twilight, eyeliner and giving peace signs?” I importuned the first shop assistant.  (It’s important to paint a picture.) “What about a scarf that could pass for Hermes in the right lighting; or a coat that says ‘cute’ but also ‘suitable for cycling’?” Given it’s the season of giving, I was hoping the ‘ask and you shall receive’ tenet would ring true.

Other tactics included repeating silent affirmations in queues (I love waiting! Only twenty-five people ahead of me!), visualising Grafton Street empty (no mean feat I can tell you) and allowing myself a treat after each successful purchase. In total, that’s two pairs of shoes, three Butler’s hot chocolates (with marshmallows) and a Kikoh Reiki session. 

Although I still have one present to nail, I’m confident my shopper’s block has lifted. The question remains, where to get a present for a classy woman who likes to garden and claims to have everything she wants? Oh dear. Note to self: never leave Mom until last!

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.

Procrastination

Image courtesy of Productivitycoaching.com/au

Procrastination is a bit like sex - lots of dithering and foreplay before actually getting down to business. This blog post may as well be an ear nibble as there's a job staring me in the face that I just don't want to go near. Beset by multiple-deadline syndrome, I've reached the end of my bandwith. Plain speaking - I'm wrecked. In fact, I could easily cite a headache and roll over but I'm no where near a bed. Instead, I'm tapping away at my keyboard hoping that something might spurt out. It's going to be a long night.

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

Stitches | Fabric | and Soul

Dame Street isn't my favourite place to catch a bus. Frequently when waiting for the 19a, I get hit on, yelled at or crushed by a bottleneck of people trying to squeeze through the small thoroughfare. When a boy called Stephen Moloney stopped me yesterday to take my likeness for his street style blog, I was pleased, flattered and dare I say....relieved. I'd like to say a big thanks for his flattering words and encourage you to visit his blog Stitches | Fabric | and Soul.

Photo by Stephen Moloney

Photo by Stephen Moloney

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!

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.

Falling into Autumn

To say I was 'off the mark' about this summer was, well, off the mark. I mistook former lazy days of the season as a continuum - ones that would extend into that of 2010 with trademark languidness. I booked a holiday, planned little and prepared to go with the flow. Little did I know that flow would spiral into a vortex of back-to-back photoshoots and general fashion frenzy. Hey, it's been a blast but gosh gee golly, I'm beat. With the snugly wools of autumn nestling back onto the shop shelves, here are a few things to look forward to:


Irish Examiner Weeeknd A/W 10 11 Trend Report
Out this Saturday, September 4th featuring the must-haves for the season. Photographer - Miki Barlok, Model and stylist - Annmarie O'Connor, Make-up - Kate O'Reilly, Hair - Suzanne Malone.

Brown Thomas Style Workshops
This Thursday, September 2nd pop into Brown Thomas from 5.30 pm for some late night shopping; and to see me talk through the latest trends of the season.

TK Maxx
I had the privilege of styling the TK Maxx media day last week and discovering Gold Label which launches Thursday, September 3rd. What is Gold Label? A merchandised rack front-and-centre of all the top catwalk designers - current season - from €129.99. Nice!

Redesign
You may have noticed a new look I Blog Fashion. I've been dragged kicking and screaming into a new Blogger redesign. I'm still playing around with it so some tweaks are in order but it's getting there.

Shhh!
I was honoured to play a part in a charity initiative with one of Ireland's foremost designers. Very honoured indeed. Details to-be-announced. Watch this space!!

Photo: behind the scenes at The Dubliner A/W 10 photoshoot

Irish Tatler

Pick up the September issue of Irish Tatler today and check out Talking Point on page 16 where the lovely Kirstie McDermott I debate the ultimate purchase - fashion or beauty? Check out my column below:



It’s been six months; six months of delicious anticipation since previewing the autumn winter collections at London Fashion Week. Now that the first drop of leather, furs and knits have snuggled up onto the high street rails, the real fun begins. Jaunty English capes, Earhart-inspired aviator jackets, shearling-lined boots, far flung Aztec prints - each of these brings with it a sense of history and future possibilities. Who will I be today? What will happen when I wear this? And more importantly, how does it make me feel?



Let’s face it. There’s nothing quite so inebriating as the first encounter with a lust-have garment. It’s like trying out a new lover – exciting, filled with possibilities and when the price tag forbids, a touch naughty. As Vivienne Westwood once said, ‘fashion is eventually about being naked’; and rightly so. If a garment makes you feel like an HD-ready version of Gina Lollobrigida, it’s worth the shekels.



I for one exhibit a damn near visceral reaction to clothes. The stroke of velvet and language of brocade are all so seductively tangible, it’s difficult not to provide a soundtrack to the sensation. And nothing quite beats the heady buzz of scoring that Alexander Wang jacket – the victory march down Grafton Street and that smug smile which says ‘he’s with me!’



True, such longing can sometimes lead to heartbreak (finding out Jimmy Choos are obscenely narrow) and in some cases fatal attraction (refusing to take that Annoushka ring off my finger). But as most gals know, true love is more often the case. The thought of buying a new bag to replace my love-worn Vivienne Westwood bowler feels like emotional infidelity. As for my Chloe jacket; she was worth every penny over the years. In fact as a 10 year cost-per-wear ratio goes, I probably owe Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo a few bob.



Still, even with such trusty lovers hanging dutifully in my closet, a little window shopping never did any harm. In fact, I’m sure Ms. Lollobrigida would approve.

The Suitcase

"Where are you going?" "Are you just back from holidays?" "Mommy why is that big lady carrying a suitcase?" These are just some of the queries that beset me when pulling clothes.
As a practical soul, I carry a trusty trolley dolley so as not to lead people to believe I am shopping my way out of the recession. Unwittingly, this tactic has raised its own set of scruples.
Only recently I stopped for a coffee break in Starbucks when the barista, bemused by my excess baggage, enquired as to why I always carry a suitcase. "I'm a stylist" didn't seem to wash. Each time I pop in for a skinny latte, she wants further explanation. I think she's convinced I'm harbouring refugees or that I'm some sort of prodigious cleptomaniac. "Maybe she thinks you're fabulously homeless?" offered a friend.
Then there was that guy in a namelss bar who exclaimed "You're the girl with the suitcase!" Since then, I've been fostering Howard Hughes-like paranoia, convinced the greater Grafton Street catchment has me pegged as an oddity. Ah, the glamourous world of styling...

Do Not Adjust Your Set...

We are experiencing technical difficulties. Do not adjust your set. Blogger.com is messing with my mojo and has plum gone and introduced a new template designer which has wiped some of my layout design. So if you are a link on 'Sartorial Sites' and have noticed er...you've gone missing; I have not wantonly deleted you. Please also note, this hoo haa has extended to bolding, italics, links and general formatting. Major apologies. Will have to sort this out...somehow. Interns? Anyone?

Free Fashionable Choons!

Everyone like a bit of freeness...especially on a Friday. Why don't you download this new tune from THEM:YOUTH - some sharply dressed indie rockers from London town. G'wan - it's free, innit?

Fever Rising (Muffin Remix):

Pride in the Name of Shorts

From: Andy
To: Neil, Annmarie
Wore my Pride shorts to the gym today just to give them a trial run. It's exactly like a Pride march in here most days; in fact Elton just swished off to the sauna in his tracksuit.

But they're a tad on the short and slightly see thru side. Luckily I've coordinated my underwear, though there's a risk if its windy on Saturday. The crowd may get a look at my milkshake as Kelis would say! :)

From: Annmarie

To: Andy, Neil
Get thee a nude thong. They are the answer to all ills.

Annmarie OConnor

Get thee a nude thong. They are the answer to all ills. :) --

Jun 21

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Jun 21

From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
That'll be quite the look that will, can you send on a pic so we can establish how short they are? Are u shaving the beard by the way? 

Neil Mchale

That'll be quite the look that will, can you send on a pic so we can establis...

Jun 21

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Jun 21

From: Andy

To: Neil, Annmarie

I'm undecided about the beard. Will make a rash decision on Saturday morning. Will take a pic this evening and send it on.

Am sensing dropping the shorts and revealing a nude thong may not be what my target audience is looking for, thats unless I arrive home with Paul O'Grady :) 

From: Annmarie
To: Andy, Neil
It's all about how you wear it. Wear it right and you can look like Bjorn Borg or Sport Ken; wear it wrong and you risk the 118118 effect. choose wisely my son. xx 

From: Neil
To: Andy, Annmarie
Actually you're the living spit of Sport Ken. Am loving his weave, though it could do with a little de-stressing. How did poor Barbie think she was ever in with a chance? 

From: Annmarie
To: Neil, Andy
That's just one Ken. There's another version too (sans facial art). See attached. Methinks we need a Ken 3.0. Andy, will you step up to the plate? 

From: Neil
To: Annmarie, Andy
I think this is actually a Richard Simmons doll which actually could be a very good look for Andy this Saturday. 

From: Andy
To: Neil, Annmarie
LOL! I don't think I can carry off a bob a la Ken. I haven't decided on the wig yet. I'm still trying to work out an afternoon costume change as well. Bought a pair of navy city shorts and had an electric blue belt to go with them matching the gola trainers but they're clearly marked wrong. 32 my arse! It cut off the circulation when I put them on.

Annmarie OConnor

it's all about how you wear it. wear it right and you can look like bjorn bor...

Jun 21

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Jun 21