Dublin Fashion Festival

I'm a bit tardy in posting this but hopefully this shall reach you all in time for tomorrow. If you haven't already made it down to Dublin's Dawson Street to check out the Fashion Festival HQ - get your skates on folks! There's just one more day of fashion shows, make-up demonstrations and general sartorial shenanigans afoot. I had the pleasure of giving a talk on wardrobe editing this afternoon to a lovely audience and also got to watch Sonya Lennon in action as she hosted one of the many catwalk presentations. For further information, log onto www.dff.ie or check out Dublin Fashion Festival on Facebook and @DublinFashion for regular Twitter updates. Oh, rumour has it there's some DFF cocktail action happening in town as we speak. (Cue: hasty exit.)

Studying my notes this morning before my talk.

Sonya Lennon hosting one of the many DFF catwalk shows.

Jude Nabney and Theo in 'Heritage'.

Priestess NYC - Extreme Regime!

Heading to NYC for Fashion Week? Be sure to check out my friend Cody Ross' S/S12 collection for Priestess NYC. Exhibiting at Extreme Regime - an avant-garde in-your-face mash-up of art and fashion. Now how many hyphenates was that? CLICK HERE for details or see below to RSVP.

Sylvia Plath - The Bell Jar - New Interpretaions of a Modern Classic

Bell Jar £360 @ Jaggynettle.com

Jaggy Nettle, one of the latest companies to emerge from the Scotland’s growing pool of textile talent, has launched a range of exclusive hand-printed Scottish cashmere jumpers inspired by classic book covers - and a new website.

Taken from iconic literary works housed in Faber and Faber’s  80-year archive, the vintage book covers were the muse for the company’s new collection.

Created by ex-fine artist Jason Lee and textile designer, Emily Quinn, the range has been designed to challenge the concept of peoples' interpretation and judgement of others through the clothes they wear.

The new collection features selected titles including David Hare’s ‘Slag’, Samuel Beckett’s ‘Play’ as well as Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Bell Jar’ in limited editions of 10. Other items in Jaggy Nettle’s range include Harris Tweed and Johnstons of Elgin Tweed footwear and limited edition Japanese selvedge denim.

Taken from JazzyNettle.com. Go pay them a visit!

Hot on Mr. Dries' Heels

First French Connection, now Hobbs: it seems that everyone is paying tribute to the  Dries Van Noten demi wedge.  I don't know how happy I'd be about this if I were Mr. Dries (a.k.a. primo Belgian silver fox hottie - seriously....click here to check him out).

My super comfy ponyskin Dries heels from Smock

Hmm...suspiciously suede offerings from French Connection

2010's Dries gold demi wedge pump

recaptured in bronze by Hobbs for 2011 / 2012.

Iris Van Herpen X United Nude

Coming soon...the latest Iris Van Herpen limited edition beauties for United Nude. Only 100 are being produced, retailing at $995 from Solestruck.com. Two words: I. DIE. 

Iris van Herpen x United Nude.

Zoe Wong - Gepetto

Gepetto

Fancy crowdfunding a new Irish fashion collection? Dublin boutique owner and Parsons grad Zoe Wong is launching her debut line of ethereal frocks at this summer's Kilkenny Arts Festival. By donating as little as €10, you can participate in the birth of a new homegrown fashion name. Rewards range from signed sketches to custom tailored gowns. CLICK HERE for more info, or why don't you pop into Horse & June on Drury Street for a chat with the lovely lady herself. Don't miss out!

Horse & June, 22 Drury Street, Dublin 2. Ph: 01 672 9748. www.horseandjune.wordpress.com.

Street Art - A Walking Tour of Dublin

I hadn't realised how many snaps I collected of Dublin street art over the past few months. On observation they range from poetic to esoterick and in some cases, sardonic. Given how they infinitely cheer up our summer-deprived streets, I thought it fitting to give you all a tour of Dublin by way of our graffiti gravitas.

We start at North Wall Quay - walk along the Liffey and breathe in the poetry.

Cross over to City Quay...

for an oblique reference to either Irish cuisine or state penitentiaries.

Turn left onto Lombard Street East. "What you talkin' about Willis?"

Toddle over to South William Street to find Maser's Angel looking over you.

He loves you our Maser.

Cross over to Sth Great George's Street if you require further confirmation.

Although if you scoot through Golden Lane over to the Liberties' Carmen Hall, they're not too sure.

In fact, it's probably best to beetle up towards Francis Street..

...for an impromptu weather report.

Once you hit The Coombe - Maser strikes again.

You must be hungry. Why not cut back to Aungier Street for an all-day breakfast?

Or over to Sth Richmond Street for a sneaky pint at The Shaw?

Too early for a jar?

Oh, I see. No pressure. Hope you enjoyed your tour! :)

Lucy in Disguise

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure to have breakfast with Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen at Brown's Cafe for a special press preview of their debut fashion line Lucy in Disguise. Inspired by their collective prediliction for vintage, the collection boasts micro-stories based on time-travelling: `20s flapper dresses, `60s billowy Biba frocks and `70s Halston-esque jumpsuits. The result is a little something for everyone: every shape and every era. The pieces really do resonate when seen on the girls. Lily wore a `50s bandana dress with an oversized cardi; while Sarah opted for the teal South Kensington maxi. We also got a sneak peek at A/W 11 which boasts a fringe shift - a favourite of Lily's; and mine too. Oh, if you happen to be tall like me, you'll be delighted to know that lengths are surprisingly long (yay!). Look out for the concession in Brown Thomas and BT2 Dundrum (www.brownthomas.com; 01 605 6666).

Win €150 Voucher for Freedom Clothing

Freedom Clothing, Galway is giving away a €150 voucher to spend in store on any of their men’s or women’s clothing. All you need to do is like Freedom Clothing on Facebook and finish the following sentence “I like Freedom Clothing because...” in less than 20 words. Post your answer on their wall before 5th June. The best chosen entry will win.  Terms and Conditions apply. Join Freedom Clothing on Facebook for details. 

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

Freedom Clothing: 10 Abbeygate Street, Galway. Ph: 091-865 989

London College of Fashion @ New Look

Slurp! Look what's arrived at New Look: 6 brand new spanking shoe styles from the London College of Fashion Master's Collection. Just pop into the Jervis Street Centre where you can get your hands on said foot candy from just €44.99. My personal favourites are these two wedges by student Ruth Jones. Keep an eye on her. My guess is her name will be joining the school's illustrious alumni list which also includes cult cobblers Jimmy Choo, Patrick Cox and Emma Hope.

Summer Shoe Masterclass - Sat, 14 May

With the mercury rising and our boots relegated to the back of the closet, there's finally a bit more wiggle room in the shoe department. With said choice however comes an attendant option paralysis. Espadrilles, wedges, clog-sandals; oh my! Tip-toe around the semantic minefield if you will but there's a brave new world of footwear on the seasonal horizon and a shiny spanking new lexicon. (Flatforms anyone?) If you'd like to a steer on new trends for your tootsies, join me at Brown Thomas' Shoe Rooms this Saturday (May 14th) for a series of summer shoe workshops.

Summer Shoes SS/11 Style Platforms with Annmarie O'Connor
Saturday, 14th May @Brown Thomas: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. 4pm.

Freedom Clothing

Over 'Wescht' this Easter weekend? Best check out Freedom Clothing on Galway's Lwr Abbeygate Street. Not only are they chock full of new SS/11 menswear including Tommy Bowe shoes and super luxe sportswear from Diesel, Henley and Bench; but Patrick and Patricia are also giving a sweet 20% off ALL stock over the bank holiday weekend. Now that is egg-citing! Geddit?

Freedom Clothing: 10 Abbeygate Street, Galway. Ph: 091-865 989

CLICK HERE to join them on Facebook.

SS11 Tommy Bowe Shoes

Joanne Hynes Accessories

Fashion gets an injection of the exotic thanks to Joanne Hynes’ new accessory collection. Influenced by her homes in India and Ireland, the line of handbags and neckpieces bear a distinctly artisan hallmark in its combination of textures from calfskin and crystal to ethnic style bearding and metal piping work. Hynes’ signature edgy elegance is ever present with fluro box formations, mock croc and silver foil as standard. Get a taste of this ‘Automated Glamour’ @ www.joannehynes.com and  on Joanne's OWJO site for Facebook. CLICK HERE to enter!

Queen Mother Skull Neckpiece €195

Queen Mary Necklace €160

Symmetric Butterfly Necklace €220

Snail Trail Necklace €220

Butterfly 2 Necklace €220

Butterfly Belt €220

Metatron Belt €220

Maximus Clutch €245

Sucker Clutch €245