Peter O’Brien & the original Fair Lady

OR: Just you wait ‘enry ‘iggins, Just you wait.

Hey All!

Long time. So let’s get to it. There’s a few posters around town for the latest production on at the Abbey Theatre, George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. Apparently being show at the Abbey for the first time in its history, which is hard to believe.

As a lover of a good rags-to-riches story and the fact that My Fair Lady (the musical based on Pygmalion) is one of my all time faves, I was already pretty keen on seeing the original play.

Then I heard that Peter O’Brien is the costume designer; talk about a perfect collaboration. Peter O’Brien’s collections are quintessentially classically feminine; the fabrics and cuts he uses illustrate his ability to understand and enhance the female body to it’s most elegant. Skills I can only presume he learnt / honed when working at design houses like Givenchy and Dior in the early 80′s.

I am yet to see either the production (it opened tonight) or the costumes and I can only presume both are stunning.

Here is a couple of promo shoots from the Abbey Theatre‘s production:

Charlie Murphy in the Abbey Theatre production of Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.  Directed by Annabelle Comyn. Pic. Ros Kavanagh

Charlie Murphy and Fiona Bell in Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.  Directed by Annabelle Comyn. Pic. Ros Kavanagh

Seeing as it’s Audrey Hepburn’s Birthday today, it would be rude not to post a couple of costume photos from the 1964 film right?

Promo Shot

Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle on-set

Rex Harrison as Prof. Henry Higgins & Hepburn as Eliza

The famous black &  White At the Races dress

Eliza with Jeremey Brett as the lovesick Freddy Enysford-HillImage via the Alt Film Guide

In the Study

The Embassy Ball Gown, (The dress that I actually prefer to the iconic Races dress)

The Embassy Ball gown in detail

Rex Harrison & Audrey Hepburn on set in their Ball finery

After the Ball

I’m really intrigued to see how Peter O’Brien interprets these outfits. All Suffragettes and diamonds I hope.

In case you’re in any doubt as to the magnificence of My Fair Lady:

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Terry O’Neill Photography Exhibition Opens in Kildare Village

Last night, in Kildare Village, a temporary photography exhibition opened, featuring the work of photographer Terry O’Neill, spanning his whole career. A career that took off in the ’60′s when he photographed the most celebrated figures in the entertainment industry including; the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Brigitte Bardot (left) Orson Wells and Audrey Hepburn, (among many others). He not only captured these icons in a thought-provoking and poignant way, but also in a way that focused on their natural, individual style. Turning him from a mere rock photographer into a legendary celebrity artist in his own time.

The exhibition called Intimate, is free and running until January 2010 prints of all the images featured in the exhibition are also available to buy from the gallery space. If you do decide to go along, be prepared to be in awe. Terry O’Neill’s candid images capture the true beauty of every actress, musician and model he photographs. Included in the exhibition are a series of colour and B&W photographs he took in 1977. The images (see below) of actress Faye Dunaway lounging beside a pool in the Beverly Hill Hotel, are probably his most well-known. They were taken the morning after she won the Oscar for Best Actress for the film Network. He has also shot covers for Vogue and his iconic images have graced the covers of many magazines around the world.

EDIT: Photograph of Terry O’Neill at the launch of his exhibition in Kildare Village.

Here is a small study of some his other works.

Faye Dunaway

Audrey Hepburn

The Rolling Stones

Jean Shrimpton and Terence Stamp

Orson Wells

The Beatles

Brigitte Bardot Cover French Vogue

Images courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes.com and from an amazing collection at the UK National Portrait Gallery.

Super Macs and Rainy Days

… Or every cloud has a silver lining…

S’up November?

So far, so rainy but I don’t really care too much. Living in Ireland means that downpours are inevitable and being caught in one, shouldn’t really happen to any of us. If you don’t carry a brolly (I NEVER remember) then you will get drenched… (and yes I do).

The best thing about days like this:

Are looking for these:

And doing this:

I LOVE jumping in puddles.

And an excuse to dress like this:

Holly Golightly puts on her rain mac to search for her missing cat. Ah, I love a happy ending, somewhere in that clinch is a very soggy moggy too.

Every girl should have a mac and if you can’t afford a Burberry (€700 approx.) then try Tesco. I got this classic one for €35.

Lily Allen – Statement Accessories

Lily Allen was out in London last night attending both the Hapers Bazaar Women of the Year Awards and the launch of  Matches Boutique. She wore a simple comprising a grey sweater and jeans, which were then accessorised to the max with a statement necklace and elbow-length gloves. Hair swept back and dark glasses on, Lily looked like a modern day Holly Golightly (again).

She must see the Audrey Hepburn character as her muse and I can’t think of a better look for her to channel, she looks great right now and maybe it was this vibe that helped her land the Chanel Coco Cocoon bags ad campaign?

Get the Look for Less:

Thrilled about Frilled Trench Coats

Ever since I attended the Oasis AW09 preview and fell for this beautiful frilled trench coat I’ve begun see to the trend everywhere. The trench coat is such an obviously masculine garment but this season has seen it transform into an uniquely feminine winter coat. Although the classic beige Trench has been worn by women for decades, see Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, this new frilled-style in pretty, bold colours or basic black, brings the trench into a new fashion realm for AW09.

Top Row L-R: Frill trench coat €79 Littlewoods, Red frill neck Mac coat £60 Miss Selfridge, Frill front belted coat £75 Topshop.

Bottom Row L-R: Diane Von Furstenberg Navy Milliette Coat €759, D&G Ruffle Trench €700.

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