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).

Modern Vintage

I popped into Oxfam Vintage the other day on George's Street for a bit of a goo. Low and behold, I found this gorgeous floral number with pussy bow detail - quite the box ticker, eh? I'm not really a pink kinda gal but the knife pleats create a more structured look and there are lovely cameo hues of dove grey and fuchsia that make it less girlie girlie. It has to be said, this iPhone pic doesn't do it quite the justice it deserves, especially since I snagged it for a whopping €10. Bargain! Nice one...

Man Flu Musings

I've been struck down with a serious case of Man Flu. The much derided and seemingly apocryphal ailment germane to the Y chromosome has infiltrated my world. Think raw nose, battery sneezing and enough antibacterial gel to sterilize a Jersey Shore smush room. (Sorry Snooki...) In fact, I'm feeling so sorry for myself, I could probably write a Country and Western song. Instead, I raided the guest room where I keep my second wardrobe and started creating new looks for 2011. I'm thinking of those Grace Jones razor edges for some East Coast preppy. Could this be the psychoactive delusions of a Lempsip and Ibuprofen cocktail? Give it another 48 hours and we'll see...

Cos top, Aquascutum shirt, River Island skirt, Dries Van Noten shoes

Wildchild Vintage tartan wool skirt and Joanne Hynes belt

The Dirty Fabulous Gals are Back

Come visit our favourite Fabulettes Kathy and Caroline at their new Wickow Street digs. Fall in love with the same fabulous edit of vintage finds...only now in the centre of town!! I could gush for Ireland but I will let the pics do the talking. Am I excited. Er, just a tad! Squeek!

Dirty Fabulous, 21 Wicklow St, Dublin 2 (above Molton Brown). Tel: 01 611 1842

Kathy and Caroline!

Irish Examiner Millinery Photoshoot

CROWNING GLORY
Bijou garden parties, whimsical weddings, champagne galas or race meets – wherever you go this summer, you need little else but a hat to make an entrance. Make sure yours gets them talking!

Shot 1 – Gatsby Girl
Frieda
Lace and Swarovski crystal hat, Edel Ramberg €POA
Waterfall diamond earrings, Boodles €7,150
Blossom pink gold and diamond long necklace, Boodles €9,900
Gloves, stylist’s own
‘Becca’ shoes, Nina Divito €585

Shot 2 – Tea for Two
Anya
Vintage mink and lace hat, Edel Ramberg €385
Vintage sable stole, stylist’s own
Yellow beryl and diamond earrings, Boodles €7,980
Yellow beryl ring, Boodles €6,400
Fingerless lace gloves, Glovedup.com £45
Inta
Philip Treacy hat, Design Centre €1,239
Raindance long strand earrings, Boodles €19,800
Double row Raindance collar, Boodles €POA
Large Raindance ring, Boodles €35,000
Vintage lace gloves, Jenny Vander €28
Manolo Blahnik shoes, Brown Thomas €495

Shot 3 – Travelling in Style
Anya
Swarovski crystal heart hat, Tootsie Royale €POA
Amethyst and diamond Tonneau earrings, Boodles €3,800
Amethyst and diamond Tonneau pendant, Boodles €2,750
Amethyst and diamond Tonneau ring, Boodles €2,850
Gauntlet gloves, Glovedup.com £75
Miu Miu bejewelled patent peep toe shoes, Covet €80 to borrow for 3 days
Frieda
Leopard print pill box hat. Tootsie Royale €110
Raindance large loop necklace, Boodles €POA
Raindance droplet earrings, Boodles €6,800
Gauntlet gloves, Glovedup.com £75
Mary Francis bag, Alila €195

Shot 4 – Dressage
Frieda
Riding hat, Linda McKay €490
Firefly earrings, Boodles €16,000
Black organza bolero (worn as a neckpiece), Bonzie Crotty €145
Cotton grosgrain ribbon (worn as bow), A. Rubanesque €2.50 per metre
Glitterati stud earrings worn on bow, Boodles €6,600
Gloves, stylist’s own
Manolo Blahnik ‘Napoleana’ boots, Brown Thomas €960

Shot 5 – Vanity Fair
Frieda
Philip Treacy pink floral spray, Design Centre €989
Morganite spaghetti earrings, Boodles €7,370
Kunzite and diamond cocktail ring, Boodles €8,650
Scarf, stylist’s own
Inta
Silver embellished disc detail headpiece by Sarah Mc Gahon, Covet €75 to borrow for 3 days
Glitterati diamond earrings, Boodles €6,600
Blossom white gold and diamond long necklace, Boodles €9,900
Large Roulette diamond bracelet, Boodles €17,000
‘Livi’ shoes, Nina Divito €585

Anya
Bejewelled combed headpiece by Brett O' Mahony, Covet €80 to borrow for 3 days
Ribbon, stylist’s own
Lace ribbon (worn as bra), A. Rubanesque €28 per metre
Cuff, Bonzie Crotty €67

Shot 6 – Brideshead Revisited
Frieda
Lace ribbon (worn as headband), A Rubanesque €28 per metre
Pearl necklace, stylist’s own

Shot 7 – Portrait of a Lady
Anya
Vintage lace pillbox hat, Linda McKay €390
Diamond Lagoon earrings, Boodles €17,600
Red silk wrap (worn as neckpiece), Bonzie Crotty €48

Credits
Stylist and Shoot Producer: Annmarie O'Connor @ iblogfashion@gmail.com; 087 976 4920
Stylist’s Assistant: Catherine Glasheen
Hair: Susan Corcoran @ John Geaney for Hair - www.johngeaney.ie; 021 450 3788
Make-up: Kate O’Reilly using MAC Make-up- info@kateoreillymakeup.com;
Models: Anya, Frieda and Inta @ 1st Option www.1stoption.ie; 01 670 5233
Photography: Miki Barlok - www.barlokphoto.com; 086 223 7081
Location: The Westbury Hotel – www.doylecollection.com; 01 679 1122


Special thanks to The Westbury:
The Westbury Hotel, part of the Doyle Collection www.doylecollection.com.

Dirty Fabulous

A big thanks to vintage ateliers Dirty Fabulous for loaning me this fabulous 1940s clutch bag for the Hennessy Gold Cup. If you haven't paid a visit to the Georgian haunt yet, make an appointment or pop in on one of their open days and check out the retro goodies. The prices are exceptional given the quality and age of the garments. You'll walk in like an excited child and walk out like you stepped off the set of Pearl Harbour. A total treat! Check out the goods @ www.dirtyfabulous.com.

eBay Fun!

Interested in buying a vintage dress...or three? I'm flogging some of my prized clobber on eBay - mainly that which I bought in a magpie frenzy. The end result? Clothes that don't quite fit. So very pretty though; like this fab 70s dress. On my six foot frame, the hem hits my ankle bone so sadly its too short with heels. I also need someone to zip me up as I suck inhale like a corseted Scarlett O'Hara. The late night snacking has to stop...seriously.

Velvet Musings

Velvet. It's back. (Cue: fulsome hurrah!) In honour of the tactile textile and its timely return, I've pulled this vintage relic from the back of my closet. It's a €20 dress from way way back (whenever I bought it). Kind of reminds me of Alena Akhmadullina with its peacock blue and paisley print. Paired with some Lady Gaga-inspired boots, it could easily transition into some winter evening chic. Winter. Sorry. That's back too...

Dirty Fabulous Open Day

Vintage vixens take note. Dublin's retro atelier - Dirty Fabulous - is having an open day on Saturday the 4th of July to celebrate all things American! If you fancy playing dress up in cloche hats, pencil skirts and lace gloves, then get down to their Baggot Street HQ for a goo. They're even laying on the cookies and cupcakes and some sweet special offers. Swell!

Dirty Fabulous Open Day - Sat, July 4th; 10am - 6pm
97 Lwr Baggot Street, Dublin 2

Last Chance @ Second Chance

My fave little vintage haunt - Second Chance is on its last legs. Yes indeedy, the big 'R' is forcing it to close shop. This quirky equestrian shirt at €15 is the last bargain-ola I managed to score. Look closely at the gold buttons and horse brass motifs. V Aggy Deyn. Paired with a white tee, my gold vintage chains, bronze peep toes and skinny jeans and BAM! - some serious turf-tastic chic. Only a couple of days left and still some 80s Guy Laroche left. Get there before its gone!

Second Chance vintage wardrobe, 3 Aungier Street, Dublin 2

The Goddess Room

I better be karmically compensated for sharing my vintage finds with the world. Everytime I open my well-intentioned mouth, a 'gotta wait til payday' dress finds a new home - i.e. not mine. Nonetheless, I feel behoved to dish on The Goddess Room - Temple Bar's newest (a bare week old!) retro atelier. Owner Marie Therese Duggan sources threads based on the latest trends from 70s jumpsuits to 80s disco dresses and this gorgeous uber-femme chiffon delight. She's even got an online shop for those who live further afield. Hurry though. Once she is previewed on Xpose this Monday, methinks there won't be much left!

The Goddess Room (below Cafe Irie), 11 Fownes Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2; www.thegoddessroom.net

Aliquo Vintage Button Rings - 20% Discount!

I'm on total bijoux high alert after spying these dotey vintage button rings by Aliquo at The Loft Market. Made from antique brass pendants, retro Lucite and Kyto collage beads, these babies are more than just your average finger frippery. What's more they cost a mere €18-€25! And it doesn't stop there. In the spirit of giving, all I Blog Fashion readers get a 20% discount on any vintage button ring purchase. Just ask for Alice at The Loft Market and say I Blog Fashion sent you. Happy Shopping! Click here for more Aliquo fun!

Image credit: Lucia de Nile

Dirty Fabulous Sale!

Vintage vultures get your claws out - the Dirty Fabulous sale is ON this Sunday the 5th of April from 12 to 6! There are serious bargains to be had from Prada skirts, to 50s day dresses and (my personal fave) 70s maxi dresses (swoon!). Prices start as low as €5 with 10% off DF's main vintage occasionwear and accessory collection. Click here for a sneaky peek at some of the retro gems.

The Deets
What: Dirty Fabulous' open day sale
Where: 97 Lwr. Baggot Street, Dublin 2
When: April 5th; 12-6pm
How: info@dirtyfabulous.com; 01 662 4249