If you are following us on twitter you’ll know I was lucky enough to have a sneaky peek at this collection last week and let’s just say I was very impressed.  Working girl meets 60’s is how to best describe the collection with some pieces looking more high end than high street – yay!  They’ve also a great range of maxi dresses and skirts for anyone on the hunt plus aviator style jackets and faux fur.  Personally, it was their dresses that made me swoon which were also very versatile.  This collection is available today.  To celebrate the launch AWear have given us a bag from the collection, which will be up for grabs over the next couple of days so keep watching

Take a look at the AWear press release and a couple of images to give you a taste of what to expect.

Salon Perfect Starlet meets Urban Beatnik

~A|wear launches Autumn 10’~

Get set for a season of modernised proportions & clean lines as the influence of the swinging 60’s comes to the forefront for the launch of A|wear’s new Autumn 10’ collection. Think Sienna as Edie Sedgwick in ‘Factory girl’ or Carey Mulligan in ‘An Education’ & take your style tips from some real fashion icons…..Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren & of course Twiggy. It’s time to channel your inner 60’s kitten!

Speaking on the launch of Autumn 10’ Brand CEO A|wear, Annmarie Flood said, “The retail landscape continues to change and our customer more than ever wants fashion she can fall in love with & at the same time is affordable. The new A|wear collection allows her the luxury of selecting several must haves pieces that will carry her through the entire season. My personal favourites for the season are the faux fur leopard jacket… so in keeping with the 60’s and perhaps what I love most about it, is it’s timelessness…. it’s a piece I will covet forever. In terms of colour, Camel is the colour that dominated the Autumn 10’ catwalks, whether it be warm shades of honey or caramel it’s really key this season. Another favourite piece of mine is the A|wear cape detail mac selected as a favourite by Vogue when we showcased our collection some months back, it’s the must have piece to transform your wardrobe for the season ahead. In dresses……I have always been a dress girl and this year there is so much to choose from in all lengths mini to maxi…there really is a dress for every girl.”

Coats & Jackets

Top of your shopping list for Autumn | Winter 2010’- A must have camel coat. Whether it be a simple mac, an oversized cape or the all important duffle coat. Team it up with deep indigo skinny jeans and a leopard print pussy bow blouse to bring it to life. As a contrast to camel & a key print of the 60’s, leopard makes a reappearance. Available in both a cropped style with faux fur trim or the swinging 60’s shift shape. Add a dash of leopard print to anything to ensure absolute seasonal definition. The collarless biker jacket in black and the faux sheepskin shearling jacket in warm stone are two jackets that really make a high impact fashion statement this season. The ideal pieces to be worn with ankle length denims and cute ballet pumps for autumn. Add a pop of colour to your outerwear this season with mint green, coral & red seen also across the A|wear duffle coat collection. Perfect for your back to college wardrobe at just €50.

Dresses & Skirts

An iconic style associated with the 60’s, the shift is the shape to be seen in this season. A-line cuts skim the knee & embellishment remains minimal with girly touches such as cute bows on shoulders and sleeves making this shape exciting yet oh so simple. Choose long sleeves for a dressed down daytime look & sleeveless styles for night time glamour. The 60’s were all about daring to bare and this season is no different! Baring your legs is bang on trend so ditch the tights or get yourself some flesh coloured hosiery and work your shift like a real 60’s icon.

Colour is key across dresses with a shade of deep tamarind stepping up to the forefront. The warm coral shade can be seen across laser cut dresses with a touch of chiffon. Lace sticks around from spring and is seen across short shift shapes & skirts. As was the norm in the 60’s, the mini skirt makes a strong statement this season with the new addition of the maxi length set for a comeback.

Knitwear, trousers & blouses

Chunky oversized alpine knit cardigans step up this season providing a welcome fashionable alternative to coats. Available in shades of grey, black and winter white, belted to add definition, they can be worn with absolutely everything & anything this autumn. For the girl who likes to make a bold high fashion statement, a faux fur gilet is functional and fabulous whether worn over a long sleeve shift or with fit & flare denims.

Trousers come tapered and calf length with cute turn ups this season. Fitted & skinny is key, worn with cute cropped cardis & simple chiffon blouses. Skinny denims are also a wardrobe must this season & will complement any 60’s inspired pieces. Blouses are high necked for autumn & the pussy bow returns in bold graphic prints with flowing chiffon sleeves which make’s it the perfect accompaniment to this seasons slim fit trouser shapes.

Accessories

The handbag for Autumn 10’- Big or small, it wants to be carried by a short strap, in your hand or hooked over the forearm. Classic is back & quilted statement totes in an assortment of colours are key for autumn, made famous by Chanel. For a more casual approach add a vintage inspired carpet print bowler bag. Hats are a staple for this season with patent trim peaked hats oozing 60’s glamour while bobbled knits make for a fun alternative.

Images Top – Bottom:

1. Bow Detail Shift Dress, €45

2. Patent Trim Peaked Hat, €15 – Dorelli Coat Camel, €60 – Skinny Jeans, €35

3. All Over Petal shift dress, €50

4. Bow Detail Shift Dress, €45

5. 60’s Waffle Bow Coat, €50 – 60’s Lace Tunic, €40 – Two Tone Quilted Bag, €30

6. 60’s Leopard Swing Coat, €70 – Colour Block Satchel, €25

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Here’s just a very quick look at what GANT have to offer this Autumn/Winter.  The collection is in part inspired by first lady Mrs. O, hence the elegant feel.  The designers stayed Stateside for inspiration taken from Georgetown, winter nautical and Santa Fe. Vintage American sports wear influenced their Rugger collection.

The two favourites picked out here at wow.ie were the Georgetown Wool Wrap Skirt – €149.50.   Does what it says on the tin, it’s an above the knee wrapskirt, fully lined and buckle side fastening, very ivy league college y’all!  The second pick was the Georgetown Herringbone Blazer – €370.  This blazer is fitted and again fully lined with elbow patches (Granny would be so proud!).

Take a look for yourself, it’s such well tailored clothing with a more grown up take on the coming seasons trends.

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Metallics and colour are big as is chunky.  Chunky jewellery is the way to go this Autumn/Winter and a great way to update different looks in your wardrobe without over spending.  Accessorize is a great place to pick up a couple of bits and bobs that can change a whole look from bib necklaces to cuff bracelets which we will bring you more of over the coming weeks.  For now we thought we’d focus on their ring collection which is quite extensive!  Mix matte and shiny finishes for a more luxurious look.

Black is in so if you are wearing block dark colours add a sneaky pop of colour wearing a chunky bright ring or two and don’t worry if they don’t exactly match, remember, the peasant look is in!  Don’t be afraid to ring stack, the more you can fit on those fingers the better, more is more this A/W for rings.  Good bye skull rings and hello 70’s.  Lovers of vintage will have fun indulging this trend.

Prices listed below along with expected arrival dates…

Image 1

This collection is due in store next month, September.

(Pyramid from top to bottom from left to right)

Deepi Deco Statement ring €18.90

Crystal Kitty Cat ring €18.90

Boudoir Eclectic Cluster Ring €18.90

Bali Flower ring €14.90

Antique Treasure Ring €18.90

Filigree Claw Set Cocktail Ring €21.50

Vintage Heart Ring Watch €18.90

Metal Pansy ring €7.90

Gypset Ethnic Statement Ring €18.90

Twighlight Perspex Flower ring €18.90

Image 2

We’ll have to wait until November to get our paws on this range.

(From Flower ring on spread out hand)

Parisien Glamour Flower ring €18.90

Pearly Portofino Ring €18.90

Metal Pansy ring €7.90

Mini Flower Stacking Ring €12.50

Curly Crystal Bow ring €12.50

Vintage Heart Ring Watch €18.90

Carved Flower Ring €12.50

Venetian Glamour Pearl Ring €18.90

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Maybelline New York have sent us their Autumn Winter 2010 make-up trends which should help keep us up to date without breaking the bank…

After a month-long merry-go-round of catwalk shows, the Autumn/Winter 2010 collections are over!  Autumn’s brand new beauty trends are blissfully straight-forward and universally flattering.  Not everyone can afford fashions newest It items but a slick of lipstick in the right shade offers an instantly wearable way for women to get a so-this-season style update.  Add a nude eyeshadow, a luscious flick of liquid liner and a pretty pastel manicure and you’re ready for your close-up.  Here, Maybelline New York’s Celebrity Make-Up Artist Fiona Jolly, explains the key looks for Autumn/Winter 2010.

Go Nudist

Product must-have: Maybelline New York EyeStudio Mono in Silken Taupe (rrp €5.97)

We’re not recommending you throw away your clothes – just strip back your make-up!  At the shows, chic shades of caramel, camel and beige were accentuated with rose lips for a look reminiscent of Calvin Klein’s early Nineties minimalism.  But for 2010, Fiona Jolly notes that “This time around the nude trend has a 21st century twist, using modern shimmer and shine, as seen at Balmain and Preen.”

There was also beautifully bare make-up at Carlos Miele where nude skin and NEW Lash Stiletto Voluptuous mascara [rrp €11.94] created an innocent look.  Maybelline New York’s Spanish Make-up Artist, Gato, was inspired by “sophisticated women” and blended nude and sand shades on the cheeks, using Pure.Cover Liquid Mineral concealer [rrp €8.99] as a highlighter.  That’s multitasking!  Just dot it over your cheekbones and then blend. Although Gato warns that, “this is not a look for little girls,” going nude is one of the most wearable trends this season.  Fiona Jolly advises that, “concentrating on your makeup’s texture – and eradicating colour – will create the ultimate elegant finish for the Go Nudist look.”

According to Fiona, “the chicest way to go nude is by smoothing on Dream Creamy moisturizing foundation [rrp €12.34].  Groom your brows!  The easiest way is to use a clean mascara wand and brush them upwards to give your face an athletic edge.”  Sweep dark grey or chocolate shadow into the outer sockets of your eyes and smudge a neutral taupe across the whole eyelid.  If you’re doing night-time nude, smear soft shimmer over the lid (Fiona swears by EyeStudio Mono in Taupe and Chocolate Chic [rrp €5.97].)  “Using a creamy pencil inside your inner eyelid will make the whites of your eyes appear brighter,” says Fiona, who also suggests a slick of natural gloss on the lips citing that, “neutral lip gloss is a girl’s best friend!  Just make sure you choose a shade that works with your natural skin tone.” To finish off this look, use the NEW Colour Sensational Pearls in Cashmere Rose [rrp €10.45] over the lips.

All very affordable prices and a great way to buy in to the seasons trends if budgets don’t allow new wardrobes!

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I, as a beauty therapist, am fanatical about skincare and Dermalogica in particular.  Love it, love it, love it!  Their range has something for everyone and I recommend it to all of my clients.  My power of persuasion is so good, I have even got my caveman of a hubby to try out some of the mens range, and to my disbelief, he loves it!  As long as I bring the products to him, and he doesn’t have to enter the uber feminine enviornment of a salon, then he is happy to do as I say and use what I want him to use.

His favourite product is the Invigorating Shave Gel.  He much prefers it to his old regeime of Gilette Shaving Gel.  He says it gives him a very close shave, it leaves his skin feeling super fresh (probably down to the tea tree and clove flower extracts!), and he knows that it’s much better for his skin than any of the supermarket products.  He would give this product a rating of 8/10, compared to Gilettes 6.5/10!

He did also try a product called Daily Clean Scrub from Dermalogica.  He has since told me out straight that he “does not see the point in it!”.  It is meant to be used before you shave to prepare your skin for shaving and help lift up the hairs.  But, as we all know men ‘just don’t see the point’ of spending more time than they have to looking after their skin, so I say the quicker the products are to use, the better!  I should be happy that I got him out of his Gilette rut in the first place – AMAZING!

This product is priced in the region of €23.

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As always we can rely on Topshop to offer us all the trends at budget friendly prices, or fast fashion as we like to call it.  The theme for their Autumn Winter collection incorporates a mix of peasant chic with prairie style skirts and dresses, switching to the opposite end of the scale hinting towards old English country gentry (super or oversized in this case!).  Expect to find: faux fur, lace (even in footwear!), animal print, metallics, tweeds and crochets.  They have covered every angle on the trends this season with something to suit all.

The peasant theme crosses over to their footwear collection with lace up boots from sheepskin to suede in mossy autumnal colours and animal prints.  Slouchy ankle boots teamed with prairie dresses are the way forward for Winter ladies while thigh highs and skinny jeans are back – not a look for the faint hearted!

Across the board are shades of Autumn and this includes their Core make-up range.  Tip – if you go to their make-up section you can view video tutorials on creating various looks for day or night.  All round we’re excited about this collection, be warned it’s a time tunnel once you hit their site to view the collections hours or even days could pass you by!

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