Irish Magazine Stellar’s Special Irish Issue

Hey All,

If you haven’t read it yet, Stellar have gone to town with their ‘Special Irish Issue’. It’s the kind of thing that makes me proud to be a part (albeit the smallest) of the fashion industry in Ireland. The features range from ‘Sexy has no size’ (where 6 Irish women ‘bare all’ and talk about their body confidence) to ‘Damn she’s got some wicked style’ (a look into the wardrobes of 6 Irish women – More on this later).

Two of my favourite Irish only features in this months issue, are ‘Stellar‘s Little Black Book’ -  a guide to eating, drinking and, most importantly, shopping in cities and towns all over Ireland; and ‘There’s no Place like Home’ - a beautiful editorial photoshoot, set against a backdrop of lush green fields; it features only Irish designers & shops. Here’s a couple of shots from the feature:- Including the genius moment that sees model, Blathnaid (Assets) sitting on a stone wall in a Matt Doody dress munching a packet of Tayto.

Dress, Eilis Boyle; Earrings, Merle O’Grady

Dress, Tim Ryan; Necklace, Merle O’Grady; Shoes, AWear

Dress, Matt Doody; Bracelet, Merle O’Grady; Shoes, Rockin’ Reptile

Top & Skirt, Umit Kutluk; Shoes, Fitzpatricks Shoes

Dress, Mia O’Connell; Belt, Una Burke (an incredible combination…)

Dress, Stephanie Grace Foy; Necklace, Rebecca Davis; Shoes, Rockin’ Reptile

Photoshoot Credits:

Photography: Naomi Gaffey

Styling: Corina Gaffey – Assisted by Stephanie Game and Aoife Smyth

Hair & Make-up: Aimee Murphy

Model: Blathnaid – Assets

Back to the wardrobes feature, myself along with 5 other women, including bloggers, Anouska Proetta Brandon and the gorgeous Becky Gray, were chosen to participate in the feature. Here’s my page:

Including such gems as… ‘I can’t live without leather trousers’ and ‘This season I’m loving…‘ I can absolutely confirm that I am perfectly capable of surviving without pleather clothes. As for the ‘I’m Loving… ‘ phrase, I can only apologise profusely and promise to try harder next time… Cringe.

Massive thanks to Stellar Magazine for asking me to come on board. It is amazing to be part of the issue!

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A Style Post: Striped Down

Hey All,

Last summer I was always in shorts; this year I’ve gone with the exact opposite. I’m living in my maxi-dresses at the moment. I love the femininity, and how easy they are to wear. They’re casual, laid back and if styled with flats, they’re kind of cool too.

Dress, Penney’s / Primark

Saddle bag and tribal pendant, Once Removed Vintage

Belt, Miu Miu

Boots, New Look

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Sinead Doyle A/W ’11

Hey All,

I just got sent the images from the new A/W ’11 collection from Irish designer Sinéad Doyle. The collection is called ‘Amalgamate‘ and combines ‘tailoring and corsetry with luxury silks and wools’. This use of luxury-fabric-on-luxury-fabric has created a tactile, wearable collection.

Going through the look-book images, what really stood out most from this collection were the details; woven leather panels, corsetry and structured tailoring,  lacing, sheer silk chiffon trousers, rose-pink silk maxi-skirts, and jacket details like double lapels and ticket pockets.

Woven Leather.

Wool & Silk Corsetry.

Silk Maxi.

Pleats & Sequins.

Leather Accents.

Double Lapels.

Lacing.

Buttons & Cap Sleeves.

Lookbook credits – Photography: Lee at Absolute Studios Dublin

Model: Meagan at Absolute the Agency

Hair/ Makeup: Valerie Ward

Brown Thomas A/W11 Designer collections

Hey All,

Pretty much the most stylish and important event on the Irish fashion calendar is the Brown Thomas new-season preview. It’s the closest thing to a full-on, (established) designer fashion show in Dublin, and is met with genuine excitement and anticipation.

The A/W ’11 preview was held yesterday on Grafton Street with a ‘Return to Glamour’ theme. There were four main elements to the show; ‘Colour Fall’. ‘Glamour Decades’. ‘Prints’. ‘Outerwear’.

The collection featured highlights from 23 designers, including Céline, Miu Miu, Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten, here’s a few stand out pieces:

‘Colour Fall’

‘Glamour Decades’

‘Prints’

‘Outerwear’
Some Goodies:Utter perfection in every way at Céline

Surprising inspiration from Rachel Zoe

An alternative take on the LBD at Miu Miu (amazing sleeves)

Voluminous mini-dresses at Balenciaga

Stars and leopard print-clash dress at Dolce & Gabbana

Cups detailing in velvet at Tom Ford

Man, I am ever a sucker for military detailing. The back of the Alexander McQueen coat.

I reckon it must be a pretty tough job being  a buyer at Brown Thomas. Imagine looking at every amazing piece that each design house comes up with, every season, and then having to cherry pick the most commercial and ‘less risky / outlandish’ pieces to sell in store. They’ve done it though, I think this Autumn / Winter collection is both inspiring and commercial. I don’t know if I could do that!

Yours,

Whisty Xx

The face of Kurt Geiger A/W11 and the face of your new A/W boots

Hey All,

Shoes for thought?

You may have seen the images of Anja Rubik fronting the A/W11 campaign for Kurt Geiger. Fabulous, but just as fabulous are the animal-print boots she’s wearing.

This style of flat, ankle boot is turning up in a lot of the A/W11 collections. The Kurt Geiger ones look like Dalmatian fur, but pony skin and leopard prints are all good too.

I love that the heels of the Kurt Geiger boots are covered in fur.

At ASOS A/W 11

At Topshop A/W 11Sorry about the insanely small TS image there, but trying to get an image from them is something like impossible.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

A Style Post – Purple Oriental Floral Prints

Hey All,

I was at the Oasis A/W11 preview yesterday in Dublin. Oasis have joined the majority of the High Street in creating a hugely vintage-inspired collection for this Autumn / Winter.

Think 70′s sheer and metallic fabrics, midi-length dresses and knee-high boots, all in ox-blood, cerulean and mustard shades.

Think 60′s textures and prints; like Hounds-tooth and leather accents in monochrome and red.

With the appointment of a new buyer, the focus yesterday was very much about the accessories. I saw boots, biker, riding, ankle and knee-high; ballet flats in animal prints; delicious high-heeled loafers and beautifully made, classic leather handbags with pony-skin details.

I also had to try on this purple and fuchsia-pink, oriental print skirt & top outfit. (It’s limited edition and only available in the flagship stores, with 100 units of each.)

Top and Skirt, Oasis A/W 2011

Mini-bow necklace, Tesco

Shoes, Steve Madden

As for the rest of the collection:

High-heeled ox-blood loafers

Heeled loafers and ballet flats in animal prints / with horn detailing

Leather and Suede biker boots

Brown leather and pony skin bag

Black leather and pony skin bag

Rose-pink tweed suit

Check cape

Brown leather pencil skirt

Brown Crombie coat

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Photos of Whisty by Alice / White Rabbit of Quirky Fashion

It’s Lacroix for Desigual – Sweetie

Hey All,

Here’s a first look at the latest ‘high street’ X designer collaboration. Over the last year, on line retailer Desigual has been working with Monsieur Lacroix. (Since becoming bankrupt in 2009 Lacroix is no longer allowed to design under his full name, and so Christian Lacroix is now, Monsieur Lacroix).

The A/W11 collection, due to drop on Monday, July 11th, is a prefect collaboration of two like minded fashion houses. Bright clashing colours and prints are the trademark of both Lacroix and Desigual. The collection is very Lacroix in its use of brash prints and quirky elements – see mouse-ear hats. The price tag however is very Desigual, as is its mainstream colour palette.

So the result of a years hard work? Below is a sneak peek of three outfits and some sketches that represent what else we should expect to see from the collaboration.

Man, I love designer sketches, it gives such incredible insight into the creative design process.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

One-stop Festival Inspiration Post

Hey All,

So it’s finally Oxegen time again. Ireland’s biggest mudbath festival has a rather large pop line-up this year, with Beyonce, Coldplay, Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas in the line up. Not my bag naturally, but more on that later, fashion comes first.

I’m posting a little festival ‘street’ style round-up, looking at what people have already worn to this summer’s festivals and get some last-minute inspiration.

I’m thinking:

Light-blue denim shorts – high-waisted or dungareesWith a bandanna & vintage paisley blouse -Cara Delevigne at Glasto – Style.com

With a Smiths T.Shirt, pink Cons and an ice lolly – Olivia Hazlewood  at Hop Farm – Vogue.co.uk

Tribal influencesWith a Naval hat and a hit of crazy, I love this completely – Florazeman at Glasto – Company.co.uk

With a sh*t load of cool – K-OS and Mike at Sasquatch – Style.com

with leather shorts – Lia Nicholls at Glasto – Style.com

and a headdress – Lotta at Glasto – Company.co.uk

with big earrings and white crochet shorts – Megan L at Sasquatch – Style.com

Vintage stripestie-front stripes with colour-blocking – Kate Brighouse at Wireless – Vogue.co.uk

with lace up boots and simple black shorts – Georgia Beeston at Hop Farm – ElleUK.com

with tan bag, boots and legs – Tanita Sira at Hop Farm – ElleUK.com

Anything blackSheer and coy – Charity Thielen of The Head and the Heart at Sasquatch – Style.com

Dapper as – Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips at Sasquatch – Style.com

Badass – Jade & Chloë Lamb of Badlands777.blogspot.com – Style.com

Cropped topswith American flag denim shorts – Cleo Gloves at Glasto – Style.com

Probably only good for the VIP area – Ellen Kerry at Wireless – Vogue.co.uk

A Wax jacketWith colour-block shorts – Unk at Glasto – ElleUK.com

A button-up Fred PerryPerfect blond hair and a black Parka – Martha at Glasto – Style.com

If Festivals were held on tarmac and you stayed in a hotelBlack silk, tan leather and perfect hair and make up – Katy at Wireless – Vogue.co.uk

Accessorise with tons of bracelets and a 80′s rock-star attitudeAlexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells at Sasquatch – Style.com

On how to Festival-dress; Florazen (pictured above) says – “Blister plasters, glitter & raid your drama school’s dressing up box!”

And for an alternative musical line up I’d fight to see:

Friday – Fun Lovin’ Criminals to kick things off, then Maverick Sabre and Metronomy

Saturday – British Sea Power, Imelda May and Beady Eye (just to make proper use of the Fred Perry shirt you’ve packed)

Sunday – Nice and easy, spend the day at the Heineken Stage for Ocean Colour Scene, Crystal Castles, Chase & Status and Primal Scream

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Manley A/W2011 – Designer Q&A with Emma Manley

Hey All,

I’m really buzzed, and honoured to be posting this. It’s the new Autumn/Winter 2o11 look book from Irish fashion house, Manley.

Of the designs, Manley says; ‘Feminine frivolity and urban street-wear, juxtapose to make garments both hard and soft, powerful and preciously delicate at once’. The latest Manley collection has continued to incorporate elements used in Spring /Summer ’11 – like sheer fabrics contrasted against leather, studding detail, leather flowers, soft tailoring and a simple, monochromatic palette with neutral-shade highlights.

(Click images twice for a closer look!)

Of A/W 2011 they say; ‘Manley A/W 11 continues the inclusion of an unusual combination of luxurious fabrics. Her inspired collection includes both naturalistic and rugged fabrics including merino wools, mohair and pigskin, uniquely teamed with delicate chiffon and cotton shell.

I was also lucky enough to grab a few words with its inspirational owner/designer and Dubliner Emma Manley, to find out a little more about her and the latest Manley collection.

WHISTY:  So has it sunk in yet? You’ve just launched of your second collection; this is your job!? You own and design your own fashion label, how does it feel?

EMMA MANLEY: I try not to dwell on it. Right now, there’s an insane amount of work involved. As a one-lady brand, I’m forever learning things that maybe aren’t so natural to me – e.g. cost sheets, html. But what comes with that is the freedom of designing my collections season after season. I truly love what I do and I just hope I’m lucky enough to make a living out of it so that I can continue doing it forever.

W: After the incredible response you received for your S/S11 collection, how did you find designing a follow-up? Did you approach it in the same way or did you use knowledge gained from S/S11?

E.M.: Designing and producing S/S11 was a huge learning curve for me. It was my first real collection so there were plenty of hurdles to overcome. I got through it and at the end had a collection that I was proud of. Though I knew next time, I could go further. The only way of getting better is to learn from your mistakes. People’s reactions to A/W11 will tell all. I’m fast learning that the proof is in the bottom line.

W: Did you / do you get nervous before a launch?

E.M.: Absolutely! Good nerves though. Any collection that I launch is one that has been in the making for well over a year. That means me, and the four walls of my studio have lived and breathed that collection for a long time …. alone! To go from that to having the collection plastered over the pages of a lookbook for all to see and possibly criticise is kind of daunting.

W: Do you show the collection to friends and family for their feedback before you launch publicly?

E.M.: Always. Everyone that sees it, sees it for a reason. For example, my Mum was a designer so she looks at the collection from a technical point of view. She’ll cast a critical eye to pick out something that’s not sitting right or cut correctly. My sister is a bit of a fashion fiend so when she sees the collection it’s all about getting her feedback on what she’s loving and what she’s not so keen on. Like I said, everyone has their angle for constructive criticism and it’s all accepted greatly. I can’t be the only one to like the collection!

W: With so few well-known Irish designers around, do you think there is more or less pressure on you to create something fabulous?

E.M.: Pressure will always be there to design something different and wonderful; that’s the aim of the game. For me, most of the pressure comes from myself, wanting to better the last collection and go the extra mile each and every time. Whether or not there are 1,000 great designers in Ireland to keep up with or 10, makes no difference. If you’re all doing something unique enough, and well enough, you’re not competing with each other, you’re just tending to different parts of the market.

W: I see that you have successfully incorporated elements of the S/S11 collection into autumn / winter; sheer fabrics, leather details and a similar palette. Is this going to be a Manley trademark or just a Manley 2011 thing?

E.M.: A huge part of the Manley aesthetic is the contradictory theme. Mixing hard and soft, powerful and delicate, strict tailoring with frivolous layering. Leather and chiffon have contributed to this theme for the last two collections. They are fabrics I adore working with and right now, they suit the collections I’m working on. As for the colour palette, my base colours will possibly always be my base colours, it’s the highlighted colours that will change. In saying that, who knows, maybe I’ll have a change of heart one day and think that grey is the devil. In that case, not only would I have to change my colour palette, I’d have to throw out 50% of my wardrobe too!

W: You also describe your aesthetic as feminine without being overly girly (brilliantly executed in my humble opinion) is that because you think that’s how most women see themselves / their style?

E.M.: Women are feeling that bit more powerful than before. They dress to be taken seriously, but there will always be that little bit of us, that wants girlish fuss. I like the idea of wearing something that has an element of power and strength, such as a suit jacket and then underneath having a dress that is made up of layers upon layers of chiffon. Or a demure dress that drapes over your body without boasting your curves, but when you look twice, you see mega slits inconspicuously showing your pins off.

W: Can you sum up the AW11 Manley collection in five words?
E.M.: Hard. Soft. Power. Seductive. Unique.

For further information please view or contact Emma Manley at:

E: info@emmamanley.com

P: +353 {0} 864077777

W: www.emmamanley.com

“>Facebook

T: @emmamanley

Xx

Have a great weekend peeps!

Yours,

Whisty Xx