REISS S/S’12 Round Up

Hello,

I’ve been busy.

I’ve got somewhat of a backlog of inspiration posts as well as some fashion news. Starting with the recent opening of the latest Reiss concession in BT2, Grafton Street. I went there yesterday to have a nosey, and there’s no doubt that the store is delighted to be a new home for Reiss. Check out the window display…

I also picked up a copy of their magazine, the Reiss Journal No. 3: ‘The Hot Issue’

‘New Directions’

Including: Lace, Leather, Fine Pleats, Pastels and Lacy Knits…

As well as these beautiful shots that showcase Reiss’ new season prints.

Reiss has also gone for a L.A.- style summer, taking inspiration from ‘laid back West Coast Style’, think David Hockney, palm trees, Venice Beach and Paradise Cove and music like The Byrds, The Beach Boys and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Summer is nearly here and I’m happy to be inspired like this.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

BT2 SS’12 New Season Preview

Hello!

This week saw BT2‘s first preview fashion show in 5 years. The cooler, younger sister of Brown Thomas, offers a brighter, alternative, more casual way of dressing with collections from fashion houses including, Sandro, IRO, Maje and Lucy in Disguise. It also stocks designer diffusion lines from Karl Lagerfeld – KARL, Alexander Wang – T, Victoria Beckham Denim and Isabel Marant – Étoile among others.

Of the new season trends, BT2‘s must haves go like this:

• The dress – The shapes, style and proportion is key. Think bright and clean lines as shown by Raoul and DVF
• Denim – From Victoria Beckham‘s poppy red to Current Elliot‘s pretty pastels
• IRO‘s – trophy jacket in rich tomato red. See either the Ashville in washed leather or the Agnette in distressed bouclé tweed. See below:

• Lightweight Tailoring – COS‘ pared back aesthetic
• Shoes – The Superga trainer

While I agree with many a fair point made there, these are my favourite pieces from the show; my if I could I would choices, as it were.

The Dress – ‘Licorne’Who? Maje. Why? Leather trim and peplum (I am delighted that the peplum has made a return!)

OR

The Dress - ‘Penelope Gown’Who? Raoul

Why? Silk Georgette and leather maxi

Denim – ‘Sunbleach Peach & Poppy, Power Skinnies’ Who? Victoria Beckham Denim

Why? Thick, silky soft denim is rare especially when it’s tight enough to define your calf muscles.

I like the red but I want the peach. The shift tops are also pretty stunning.

Lightweight Tailoring – ‘Rolled Neck Tee’Who? Raoul

Why? Hot pink silk and button down at the back, like a reverse shirt surprise; great when worn under…

A grey trouser suitWho? The Kooples

Why? Turn up collar and matching chest pocket hanky and cuffs.

Shoes – ‘Australia‘Who? Carvela – Kurt Geiger

Why? Fuchsia pink suede peep toes

On another note.

KARL by Karl Lagerfeld…Silver leather collar and matching skirt, with cotton Karl Lagerfeld-emblazoned TShirt… Is a bit odd… Discuss.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

BT2 & MSGM’s summer injection

Hello,

I have a feeling it’s all gonna be about BT2 this week!

First off, word is out that there a couple of new labels in store. The Victoria by Victoria Beckham line has landed. But I’m exceedingly (like a Mr. Kipling cake) excited about amazing Italian label, MSGM. If you like, South Pacific prints, leopard print, Paisley, fringing, vibrant neon colours and dresses that need should be worn in St. Tropez… here’s is a little peak at what the label has to offer for SS’12.

Sorry if I made you feel colder!

Yours,

Whisty Xx

COS S/S’12 Round Up

Hi all,

Here’s few highlights from the COS S/S’12 preview, shown in Dublin last week.

Blues and greens were key colours and dresses came in various guises, all unique but quintessentially COS.

50′s inspired

Padded bodice and cut-outs

Rough-edged & backless

Sheer back and exposed zip

Full-length, backless and sheer (perfection)

Yours,

Whisty Xx

COS is available in BT2, Grafton Street

Dublin’s – Fashion’s Night Out 2011

Hello,

Armed with nothing but a camera and a slight concern that I hadn’t RSVP’d to the right people, I hit Dublin for Vogue Fashion’s Night Out.

First stop was Grafton Street for a few style post snaps.

Breaking in my new Warehouse leather / studs cuff

Next, it was to the HQ of Dublin’s newest design collective, Project 51 on South William St.. Designers including Sinéad Doyle and Que-Va, showcase their designs here

The party

A unique way to display the designs.

The stuff of fables, Aesop’s  Fox and Crow necklace from Saba Jewellery.

Horse & June vintage boutique, on Drury St.  was our next stop, Mojitos and nibbles with, owner  Zoe Wong.

Next was BT2 on Grafton St. Meeting up with Stephen Moloney, FINALLY back from his summer in London was great fun. Plus, I love dressing-up shopping; picking up things that you can’t afford and putting them on just for fun. That’s what BT2 were asking people to do with the help of Linda Conway. She was incredibly patient with me as I demanded this that and the other piece to try on. I chose a Shearling coat and leather skirt by Maje, sandals by Pinko, and a silk shirt by Equipment.

Sans Shearling

Getting my face on

Giving face (Stephen left, Linda centre)

Posing…

Choosing a Instagram filter

The finished thing…

Last stop, South William, on South William St. for a nightcap.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Props to fafs for the photos of me.

Lucy in Disguise in Dublin

Hey All,

If you watched any of Channel 4‘s Riches to Rags documentary you’ll know that Lily Allen and her sister, Sarah Owen worked together to create high-end vintage collection, ‘Lucy in Disguise‘ which culminated in the opening of a flagship store in Covent Garden, central London.

This weekend the two company founders were in Dublin to launch their pre-fall collection of vintage-inspired fashions in Brown Thomas Dublin and BT2 Dundrum. The collection takes inspiration from various past eras and each piece is named after a place or time from a different decade. Like, ‘Altamont’, ‘The Roxy’, ‘Goldrush’, ‘Capone’, and ‘Zanzibar’. It’s a clever way of describing each piece; without even seeing the collection you immediately imagine a  collection of romantic yet edgy pieces.

Lily wears, the short ‘Honky Tonk’ dress €130; Sarah Wears the Silk ‘South Kensington’ Maxi dress, €320. This one is undoubtedly my favourite.

More examples from the collection:Pink chiffon maxi-dress, €355; Black lace maxi-dress, €475.

Pink chiffon dress, €355

Red jersey jumpsuit, €230; Silk sequinned dress, €475

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It’s a brave collection, with so many Maxi-dresses and jumpsuits that are both notoriously tricky retail-wise. With original vintage dresses, they are very often made of heavy polyester so the design team behind Lucy in Disguise have been clever to use lighter, floaty fabrics for their vintage-inspired designs. I think I’d still prefer the real thing, but then with those prices I have no choice!

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Fred Perry’s, Menswear and Music

Hey All,

Apparently we’re set for a bit of summery weather this week. In eager anticipation, I’ve pulled out my ancient Fred Perry polo shirt. I thrifted it when I was in 6th Form and have worn it religiously every summer since. Fred Perry‘s are quite tomboyish, but I love how they represent so many elements of music and sub-culture.

The website, for example says: “1959: The fledgling British Mod movement members were quick to pick up on the shirts suitability for nocturnal activities. …top button fastened under … a mohair suit and durable to wear all night long and still look fresh in the morning. It became the first crossover brand from sportswear to street wear”.

Music and Fred Perry seem to have moved hand-in-hand ever since. Through the 70′s and 80′s with bands like The Jam and The Specials. To the 90′s with Britpop bands like Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene and Blur. This autumn sees the launch of Amy Winehouse’s collaboration with the brand, sketches here:

Amy Winehouse for Fred Perry

Paul Weller

Terry Hall, The Specials

Amy Winehouse

Raf Simmons for Fred Perry

Raf Simmons for Fred Perry

Fred Perry / Stussy Deluxe

Fred Perry / Stussy Deluxe

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Editorial and TVCook, Skins

Vice Style Editorial

Eh, me again.

Should the sunshine fail to appear; I was in BT2 last week and crushed hard on the A/W’10 range of button-down collar, plaid / check shirts by Farah. I’m thinking this one should do it.

Get on the ’80′s style vibe by watching the new Shane Meadows’ ‘This is England’ mini series that starts next month on Channel 4:

Xx

Model Train in BT2 Dundrum

Some girls do and some girls don’t love Valentines Day. I’m afraid I’m in the ‘don’t’ group, the cynic inside me says, if he doesn’t buy me flowers any other day of the year then he shouldn’t bother on that day either. Instead I choose to ignore the whole cheesy, overpriced affair and do something far less embarrassing. If this Valentines weekend will fail to bring out the romantic in you, the shoppaholic in you might be inspired instead. The girl-friendly, revamped BT2 Dundrum will serve as a haven to Valentines cynics and singletons alike. They are showcasing the latest collections from Diane von Furstenberg, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Marc by Marc Jacobs and See by Chloé among others. Models will be showing off the collections in store both afternoons this weekend.

BT2 SS10 Preview Brings us Bights and Classics

In  a glorified bout of “window” shopping, I went to have a nose at the new season collections for BT2 yesterday afternoon. From Manoush to Twenty8Twelve, Sonia Rykiel (swoon) to new (to BT2) brands tba and 2Love – Tony Cohen it was a bright, fresh menagerie of deliciously light pieces that I’m afraid I’m now craving. Even walking into the space you felt like winter and snow happened months ago; the room was filled with gorgeous flowers, bright accessories in gorgeous colours and utterly fabulous collections.

In a couple of words about why, my favourite collections were; Sonia – Sonia Rykiel -Vibrant & Sporty; Manoush – Nautical & Coral; Twenty8Twelve – Floral & Urban; 2Love-Tony Cohen – Clean & White; tba – Classic Quality. I was also quite smitten with this Burberry Prorsum-esque Ruffled mac… from Lipsy. Okay, I admit because it’s €75, I think I am possibly looking at the Burberry connection through slightly rose-tinted spectacles but, really, you so would! Other pics are further down, happy Springtime peeps, so long snow…

Sonia – Sonia Rykiel

tba

Manoush

Twenty8Twelve

Ronnie Wood and Black Swan Effect at BT2

Even though he was two hours late, the great Mr. Ronnie Wood still totally wowed the thronging crowd with an impromptu set in the window of BT2 on Grafton Street, yesterday. The gig was lined up to celebrate Arthur’s Day and to kick-start BT2′s ‘Funk Month’.

The rock legend is also in Dublin for the launch of his new clothing line, Ronnie Wood for Liberty of London which is to be stocked exclusively in Brown Thomas. It seems the chance to jam with his son Jessie’s band, The Black Swan Effect, was a promotional opportunity too good to miss. – He also jumped on stage later that evening as the band celebrated Arthur’s Day in Vicar Street to my utter joy and amazement!

Grafton Street was packed out and pretty much came to a stand-still as the Rolling Stone wielded his axe in the shop window wearing a T-Shirt from his own collection. The collaboration with Liberty was developed by the store’s creative director, Tamara Salmon, using a selection of Ronnie’s own paintings.

Of the collection he said, “I wanted to work with Liberty of London because of the great tradition that Liberty has of artistic collaborations going back to its very early days. It’s inspiring for me to work with such a prestigious company that has, in the last century, worked with amazing talents such as William Morris and A. Knox – so I’m very excited to have completed my first collection with them.”

The capsule collection launches next week and uses prints of three of Ronnie’s paintings; “I Feel Like Painting”, “Hawaiian Guitar” and my favorite, “Orchid”. The majority of the collection has been designed for women, not just rock and roll dads and includes, scarves, clutch and shopper bags shift and vest dresses and these amazing racer-back dresses…. I think I’ll be mostly desiring the Orchid print dress, (left). Prices start at £196 for the “I Feel Like Painting” vest dress and these dresses are £375.