Current Musings – A good start to 2011

OR: First week back to reality… 7 things that kept me sane over the last 7 days!

- Without which I could easily have drowned in a blue-mood lagoon.

1. Movies at the IFI. I watched and loved Catfish, and I EDIT: intend to watch and love also watched and loved The Kings Speech. If not just to drool over the wardrobe of (the magnificent) Helena Bonham-Carter, as the Queen mum in her youth.

2. Vintage Window-Shopping: Dublin is becoming a feast of vintage shopping. I inadvertently discovered two new shops – 9 Crow Street and Horse & June – this week. (More on these later in the week)

3. New Music: Both British Sea Power and White Lies have new albums out this month. The anticipation of which has me all of a dither.

4. New Shoe Style: Platform, suede, colour block – Because of dreams of shoes like this; I’m saving up now. (Asos.com)

5. New season Fashion: The previews are go. I’m thinking floral embroidery detailing, and 70’s, Riviera chic – just get me out of black. – See Christopher Kane (below left) and Marc Jacobs (below right), respectively. (images via style.com)

6. Food: Bad, bad, bad but oh-so-good food at that: Mooz, 3 Angier Street, D2. Pick your favourite chocolate bar and they’ll blend it into a milk-shake… they do hot ones too, if the weather’s doing your head in.

7. Prudence Magazine: Included musings from yours truly in their vintage directory this month. I am honoured, and just a little proud to be included!

Transcription:

“Fashion blogger Laura Whiston of Whisty feels the same: “Being fashionable is one thing but turning up to a party in the same high-street dress as three of your friends really will make you feel like a fashion victim” she says.

“The great thing about vintage is the history behind it. When I put on a dress or coat that was made 60 years ago, I immediately wonder about the woman who owned it before me.”

…”From a moral point of view it’s [vintage] very appealing because people are genuinely horrified by reports of sweat-shop working conditions. Many fast-fashion, high-street shops have been the subject of revealing documentaries exposing child labour and poor pay.”

Here’s to a fantastic 2011!

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Happy New… Season! SS2010 Trend Alerts

What better way to start the new year than with a post that concentrates on the trends designers and the high street will have us loving this season. I’ve spent the last few days perusing, debating and ruminating the lot and have pulled 1 or 2 pieces from the high street that I reckon might temp me when the weather changes. I love the snow but SS10 collections are not built for it, I’m holding out for the Spring and dying to try, Outer-underwear, bold prints – if only I could afford you Proenza Schouler – and the thoughts of getting sports-mad scares me… in a good way. If anyone can convince me Mr Wang can! Oh and not to mention SS10 hair is to die for.

New Neutrals

Clockwise from bottom left: Skirt-shorts Topshop, Donna Karen SS10, Christopher Kane SS10, Tesco, Therapy at House of Fraser, Versace SS10, D&G SS10

Outer-Underwear

Clockwise from top left: Bralet Topshop, Antonio Berardi SS10, Penney’s / Primark, Christian Dior SS10, M&S, D&G SS10

Bold Prints

L-R top: Gucci SS10, Versace SS10, Thakoon SS10, Proenza Schouler SS10, Proenza Schouler SS10. L-R bottom: River Island, Monsoon, Julian McDonald for Debenhams

Sports Mad

Clockwise from top left: Love Label at Littlewoods, Prada SS10, Alexander Wang, Ash Footwear, Littlewoods, Topshop, Alexander Wang

Denim

Clockwise from left: Littlewoods, Chloë SS10, Jasper Conran for Debenhams, Red Herring, Ralph Lauren SS10, D&G SS10

SS10 Runway Hair

The cheapest and most simple way to update your look is by checking your hair. Think: Loose, casual, natural, plaits, soft waves, relaxed, tousled, romantic, feminine and soft.  These are my absolute faves:

Top: Alexander Wang, Middle: Versace, Bottom: Prada.

All catwalk images courtesy of Style.com

It’s Official Then… Christopher Kane for Topshop 18/09/09

At the minute, the windows of Topshop Ireland’s flagship store on St. Stephen’s Green, are jammed with the latest Kate Moss AW09 collection.

One window however has saved a little space to confirm that British designer Christopher Kane‘s 3rd capsule collection for Topshop will appear in-store, Friday, September 18th. (Yay!) The date coincides with the start of London Fashion Week which is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary this year.

The collection was kept very under-wraps with only a handful of images ever being released earlier in the Summer. This week however it was confirmed that the collection will consist of 39 pieces, ranging in price from £40 – £160 and includes; embellished jackets, hotpants and dresses in black with metal studs, eyelets and sequins.

There are also pops of pretty pastel colour, by way of yellow and pink dresses with either ruffle detailing or more metallic embellishments. These metallic details carry through to handbags, leggings and even shoes, creating a collection that complements elements in Christopher Kane’s latest catwalk collection.

When the collaboration was first announced earlier this year, Kane said of the collection “This is more than a capsule collection. It’s proper: with bags, shoes, knitwear and dresses. It’s nothing like any other work I’ve done in the past. Everything is a bit “wow”. There might be some colour, some embellishment. It’s full of surprises. Put it this way – we did the designs, sent away our drawings and when the samples came back last week they looked brilliant. Girls are gonna go crazy for it!”

It seems that, that is exactly what his latest and most eagerly anticipated collection has delivered. I have included these images from the collection that show the variety and detail Kane has created. I love all these pieces, the blue embellished dress and eyelet jeans are mouth-wateringly delicious. I wouldn’t wear the croc tee but it’s V. Chris Kane; giant gorilla print SS09 anyone?

More info here: www.topshopstyle.com/Christopher_Kane/#/video/

Topshop Gets Kaned

Topshop aren’t releasing any press pics for the Christopher Kane for Topshop collection yet, but there is always the one plucky journo who is willing to risk a snap or two…

Topshop held a press day in Dublin last week to showcase the collection where the hi-glamour collection included plenty of pretty but edgy pieces. The collection, said to echo his main line AW09 collection, is embellishment heaven with everything from metal eyelets (see the leather bag) to lace, from over-sized Gems to mirrors and fine black gauze.

Posh Tea in Dundrum

Pret-a-Portea comes to Harvey Nichols Dundrum…

Fresh from a stint at glorious department store, Bergdorff Goodman during New York Fashion Week (NYFW), (spotted in an episode of The City fashion factsters), London’s chicest hotel The Berkeley’s ultimate fashionista lunch, Pret-a-Portea, will take a short visit to Dublin at the end of the month!

With delicious goodies inspired by the biggest names and most iconic pieces in fashion, the First Floor restaurant at fashion Mecca, Harvey Nichols in Dundrum, will be awash with quirky style from April 28th to May 2nd!

During NYFW fashion forward foodies munched on a Michael Kors’ Regatta dress mousse, a Chanel quilted handbag Petite four and a pretty cookie version of a Christian Louboutin shoe. Similar treats are promised to be served at Dundrum, with rumours of Lanvin, Balmain and Christopher Kane inspired goodies.

I’m not 100% convinced that the €75 price tag on cakes and cookies for two is really worth it though, but if you have the cash to splash and you want to indulge your fashion passion then this is such a cute way of doing it! Naturally you get a glass of bubbly with your treats and the chance to browse the real thing after you have devoured the sugary copies!

www.dundrum.ie/happening.asp?nid=745

www.harveynichols.com

www.the-berkeley.co.uk

Its Vintage Darling but So On Trend

With the new spring trend for blush / nudes tones this delish website has a gorgeous collection of 50′s 60′s and 70′s pieces that fit the trend impeccably: www.itsvintagedarling.co.uk

I’ve mixed up them up with some high street and designer offerings on this mood board below

I love that pieces that were on trend 40 years ago have still totally wearable today! If there was ever a reason to keep everything in your wardrobe for as long as possible then this is it!

The company are based in the UK and have pieces that are even older in their stunnig collection. The company deliver throughput europe for £8 (approx. €9) per delivery.

Other pieces in the collage are from:

www.asos.com; www.missselfridge.com; www.dorothyperkins.com; www.dune.co.uk & www.schuh.ie