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

Joanne Hynes Accessory Line

Hey All,

I’m gonna do a few posts today, I think. Sometimes you just can’t cull the stories you hear about.

First up is the new accessories line from Joanne Hynes which launched earlier this month. Influenced by her time in both India and Ireland the unique pieces include a mock-crock leather clutch, the ‘French Queen’ and ‘Snail Trail’ neck pieces, and a butterfly adorned belt.

Constructed from calf-skin leather, mesh, chain detailing and huge brash-coloured crystals; the result is a high-impact, hard-edged collection, full of  statement pieces. Created to complement her own clothing line, Joanne Hynes accessories would pretty much accessorise the hell out of any outfit; giving them a unique and dramatic overhaul.

A navy-blue blazer, cropped / turn-up skinny jeans, classic courts and a white T. Shirt… with this Maximus clutch? I think so.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

Storm on a Canvas

Hey All,

There was an event in Brown Thomas last night to celebrate a pop-up shop for Irwin & Jordan, the clothing line by Zoë Jordan, daughter of F1 mogul, Eddie. Call me a cynic (they often do) but when I hear “celebrity offspring” (McCartney aside) and “clothing line” in the same sentence, forgive me for not drifting off to fashion daydream-land.

However, Zoë Jordan’s label has earned critical acclaim winning the 2010 British Fashion Council / Elle Talent Launch Pad Award. Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) named Irwin & Jordan as one to watch for 2011. The label’s  latest collection AW11 received a great response after their first London Fashion Week show, last month.

So dragging my still very jet-lagged (back from Oz.) Eefy with me, sans flip-flops, we went to have a bit of a look at the SS11 collection.

I’d seen a few images from the SS11 collection and knew I was already into the ‘Year of the Tiger’ print, among others, which have apparently been used to create limited edition pieces, like this dress…

Year of the Tiger print detail:

The blue print you used on the silk pants is entitled ‘Storm on a Canvas’ and looking closely at the fabric you can see the canvas has become part of the print.

‘course the collection has more to offer. Inspired by Saville Row tailoring the tweed ‘Beagle’ coat was a stand-out piece, worn with a French lace flatcap.

French lace accessories, ‘city’ shorts, suede biker jackets and flowing silk dresses made a very tom-boyish but feminine collection. The pop-up shop is open until the end of March 2011.

Yours,

Whisty Xx

P.s. I loved the Acne ‘Halo’ wedges the collection was styled with…

Designer Emma Manley – The Big Blogging Week – post #1a of 6

Hey All,

I have set myself a bit of a challenge this week. I’ve had a bunch of things that I have really been wanting to post and a bunch of reasons that I haven’t done so. Reasons that don’t really relate to blogging in the slightest. As a blogger it can be hard to remember that a blog is essentially a diary, a list (or log) of things that a certain person does / sees / says over a non-specified duration.

Over and above anything else that a blogger may experience when posting, the most rewarding thing is receiving comments. Or so my experiences show me anyway. I’ve got to the point where I write posts that  I think you  lovely readers may enjoy looking at  (and possibly reading too) and therefore will be inspired to comment on. I have however, also forgotten that the blog is supposed to be a log of stuff that I do etc. (see above).

So even if what I post this week gets no comments, I’m going to keep it honest and post the things that inspire me, impress me, make me want to write full stop. Kinda of taking back the blog and indulging myself this week. I promise will try very hard, to do the following:

Post at least once a day Monday 15th – Friday 19th. (no scheduling allowed).

Post a personal style post -

Post about an Irish Designer – EDIT: Complete Nov. 15th

Post about the high street – EDIT: Complete Nov. 15th & Complete Nov. 18th

Post about vintage -

Something random to keep me on my toes… – EDIT: Complete Nov. 16th

To start off and as a tonic to the recent hubbub surrounding the opening of a couple of international high street stores, I’m posting about Irish designer, Emma Manley.

I went into Bow Boutique for the first time about two months ago. (yes, yes I know, it makes no sense to me either) There were two specific collections that I was blown away by and they couldn’t have been more different from each other. The ethereal beauty of Eilis Boyle and Emma Manley‘s structured, Urban cool.

Because of the way that the boutique is laid out, I was completely unaware of my new-found obsessions. I was absent-mindedly chatting a couple of fabulous ladies who run the store while I was crushing-on the clothes. It wasn’t until on eof them mentioned that fact that pretty much every piece I said “Oh wow” or “This is amazing” or “*Gasp* this is amazing” or “I want this” etc. was an Emma Manley piece.

Alas the funds will not allow even a bog-standard, fast-fashiony-type high street piece at the moment, let alone a designer piece. But I was happy in the knowledge that I now have a new place to clothes-perve. Then last week I saw the new Emma Manley SS11 look book. And I was smitten so I thought I’d share some of the photographs.

Think I need these Jodhpurs in my wardrobe…

Or this studded vest.

Or these Jodhpurs.

Sheer joy, a leather and silk chiffon blouse.

The collection is utterly contemporary and urban; feminine and sporty; the fabrics are wool, jersey, chiffon and pig-skin leather; the inspiration for the collection came from Bauhaus Art. Emma says of the collection that “The Manley aesthetic is quite romantic so for me the big challenge was making something beautiful using tough fabrics, hard shapes and strong lines. I introduced terribly feminine fabrics to balance out the pig-skin. Essentially I softened my inspiration and hardened my garments basic structure“.

Credits:

Photographer // Deirdre O’ Toole – Photographers Assistant // Simon Keenan

Hair // Ciaran Cannon at Shampoo Hair Design – Make Up // Rachel Taglienti

Models // January Russell, Jayne Wild (Morgan the Agency) & Hannah Ring

Xx

New Jewellery Shop actually is Unique

Hey All,

During the latter part of the 80′s there was a kind of back lash to all the plastic fantastic, big shoulders and brash colours. It saw the rise in popularity in shops like Laura Ashley and  fabrics like muslin and flowery Chintz . – Think Cassandra in Only Fools and Horses and you get the idea.

This florally, pot-pourri-scented niceness also lead to an explosion of gift shops selling things like, miniature wheelbarrows filled with teddy bears and dried flowers. The kind of shops that make you feel ever so slightly nauseous when you walk in. The smell from the scented candles and pot-pourri hits you like a sledge-hammer when you open the door.

Anyway, these kind of places put me off all shops with ‘gift’ in the title. Until I went into Unique Jewellery & Gifts on South William Street last week. The shop has taken over the space that A. Rubanesque used to occupy (no. 27) and sells mostly jewellery. In any case, the pieces they have are really edgy and different. They stock  lots of different designers and the jewellery is made from things like shells, coral and wood as well as silver and gold.

Wood and Silver Collection

Shell Pendants

Silver Square Rings

Silver and Gemstone Pendants

Gold and Shell Rings

Silver and Coral Collection

Silver and Shell Ring

The prices are great too, earrings approx. €15, rings around €38, pendants around €60.

Unique Jewellery and Gifts on Facebook.

Xx

NCAD Graduate Show – Updated

Dear Readers,

This exhibition is definitely worth a look. I dropped into the Harry Clarke lecture hall at NCAD, Thomas Street today for a quick look at the ten graduate pieces. I ended up staying for over an hour, trying things on and chatting to Amanda Grogan. One of the ten designers showcasing her collection in the exhibition.

See that’s the thing that kept me. Last years graduate show was a simple showcase of 23 pieces from 23 textile and fashion graduates. This year’s show is about each fashion graduates collection, as a whole. There is also footage of the graduate fashion show on loop and plenty of information about each graduate and the inspiration behind their collections.

This year’s graduate collection as a whole is called 10/10. As in ten students for 2010, and it’s an amazing showcase for the fresh talent that is coming out of this country. Above L-R; Charlotte Gallagher, Olivia Malloy, Silé Ó Shea (River Island Bursary Winner) and Amanda Grogan.

Above L-R; Vraja Lílá, Alan Taylor, Julia Doherty and Charlotte Gallagher.

L-R; Averil Blakely, Emmy Slattery (NYFDA Winner) and Shelly Voom. (sorry about the dodgy, blurry photo).

Above; Pieces from Amanda Grogan’s “Cut, Sealed and Cauterized” and Averil Blakely’s, “Hydrophilic” collections in more detail.

On a really exciting note, Amanda was telling me that her and fellow graduate Averil Blakely had entered an international competition that will be held in Madrid in July. Mittel Moda, “is one of the most sought-after and well-known fashion competitions at an international level“. It is working with 620 schools of fashion design in 66 countries, promoting the exchange and comparison of international creativity. These two graduates will be judged, along with 21 other finalists, on July 1st; the winner will show in the Milan Fashion Week (!).

EDIT: News just in, Irish Times Monday July 5th: Amanda Grogan wins the coveted prize of €10k and the chance to show her collection at Milan Fashion Week at the Mittelmoda competition in Milan.

Image via Irish Times.com

The NCAD Graduate show and designer sale, is on at the Thomas Street venue until Monday June 20th. For all info and opening times go HERE. Or become a NCAD Gallery Facebook fan HERE.

Xx

Discovering Collections and Clouds

I am entirely convinced that Dublin is the most fabulous city in the world, when the sun is bouncing of the water in St. Stephen’s Green, like it was today. Of course it’s a matter of opinion, but no other place I’ve been to, is so utterly transformed when the weather is fine. The park was pretty deserted this morning as I wandered through it; and apart from the odd person dashing off somewhere, most people there were strolling along mingling with the ducks and gulls who were avoiding the frozen ponds. I spent the morning window shopping and walking on the sunny side of the street.

The main window of The Design Centre at Powerscourt Townhouse was showcasing the début collection of LSAD graduate and NYFDA 2009 finalist, Mia O’Connell.  It is a beautiful, structured / feminine collection. The palette is small yet striking; with monochrome shades, nudes and rich reds. This skirt (left) is one of my favourite pieces; both the frill and the sheer panels at the front are prominent themes in the rest of the collection. I really like looking at genuine designer pieces, from up-coming Irish designers. It’s so impressive to see Mia  launch her first (fantastic) collection less than a year after graduation.

When I got home I had an email, with a link to Co. Meath photographer, Derick Smith’s latest project; Describing Clouds. His projects are always surprising because his subject mater changes so much.

Ironically, I had only just been thinking how wonderful it was that the sky was so free of clouds yesterday. Though, if Irish skies always looked like they do in these photographs, we wouldn’t mind the odd cloud so much.

Numero Úna. Irish Fashion Goes to Extremes

I’m in love… with wearable art.

That is, I’m in love with fashion that is so creative it blurs the lines between it and art. It’s like an extreme Haute Couture, beautifully and expertly created by exceptionally talented craftsmen, but that brings fashion to a deeper level. So, really what’s not to love?

Right now, it is Roscommon native and Central St. Martin’s graduate, Úna Burke’s latest collection that has my heart a-beating. Made from flesh-coloured leather strips, the collection represents “eight human gestures associated with [different] stages of trauma“. Some of the pieces remind me of medieval torture devices; there are pieces that strap the arms together, and a cage-like effect from the pieces designed to fit the entire torso. Designed around the shapes of the contorted female form, the result are pieces that also have a medical feel; think prosthetics, bandages and braces. Leather covered in brass studs shouldn’t come across as delicate, but the way that the collection has been shown, proves that it can. That is what I find most fascinating about it.

People often say that fashion is fickle and shallow, and in some cases I am inclined to agree. But to say that all fashion is shallow and then to have creative talents like Úna Burke in the industry, is absurd. To me, fashion has always been one of my favourite art mediums; conceptual collection’s like this one are fashion’s answer to Modern Artists, like Gustav Klimt or Marcel Duchamp.  Extreme, controversial, beautiful, ugly and absolutely essential.

Head over to Úna Burkes website where there are far more images of this amazing collection.

Irish Designer, Joanne Hynes, to be NYFDA 2010 Student Mentor

Joanne Hynes, one of Ireland’s leading fashion and jewellery designers, has taken on the challenge of mentoring the student finalists in this years coveted Nokia Young Fashion Designer Award. Last years awards saw hundreds of fashionable types gather in the old Habitat building on Dame Street to see NCAD student, Aoife Gallagher, win the prestigious award having been mentored by Irish knitwear designer Tim Ryan. The fashion event was definitely one of my favourites in Dublin last year, the atmosphere in the room as well as the quality and originality of the designers’ collections made it a fantastic event.

This years students met their mentor over breakfast at the Morrison Hotel last week as she shared design tips and advice. One piece of fashion advice she gave was, to divide the price of an item of clothing by the number of times you think you will wear it, to make it a worthwhile purchase. I love this piece of advice, I was only saying to a friend earlier today, that there is nothing better than paying a little bit more for something to find yourself still loving and wearing it years later. I have a beautiful Versace top that I bout about 12 years ago that I now estimate to have cost me 0.07p. That’s what you call a worthwhile purchase.

Of the collaboration with the awards, Joanne said, “I am extremely excited at the opportunity to mentor these young designers. I love hearing their ideas and helping them transition brilliant thoughts into works of art. I am very much looking forward to seeing what [they] come up with. The motivation and creativity of this year’s finalists is exceptionally inspiring”. It sounds as though this years event is going to be yet another fantastic show, I can’t wait to see the designs, let alone the final show pieces. Photo: Joanne Hynes with model Yomiko in one of the designers pieces.

The inspiration for this years designs is www.ovi.com, Nokia’s information portal.

Dublin Fashion Designer Jennifer Rothwell to Show at Showcase Ireland

Among many other designers in attendance, of course, Jennifer Rothwell will be debuting her AW10 collection this weekend at Showcase Ireland. Her design talents have brought her from NCAD to New York and back again, and earned her the “Brown Thomas Designer Mentor Programme Award” a mere 7 months after launching her label.

She graduated in 1995 and has worked in the fashion industry since then. So ok, she’s caught the eye of industry insiders but what about the clothes? This photograph was taken at Collins Barracks at the official launch of Showcase Ireland earlier this month. The dress in the centre is a piece from Jennifer Rothwell‘s latest collection, it’s a beautifully simple, silk printed piece and I want it. It’s gorgeous.  Her collection actually has a few different elements to it; there are these printed silks but there are also some very understated jersey pieces too – see below.

The other featured designers above are, left Edel McBride, Jennifer Rothwell, right, Heather Finn. Below images from Jennifer Rothwell’s AW10 preview collection.