We like to keep you up to date on all things fashion and we’ve just heard of this new Irish site that’s launched – CoutureOnline.ie

This site will be of interest to race goers or those planning for their debs.  There’s plenty to have a look at and in particular a great maxi dress (check out Amadine!).  If you are nervous about buying on line (I hear ya!) they have fitting rooms and a fitting service available in Dublin so you don’t have to worry about a barbie size dress arriving in the post the day before your event – nightmare!

Expect to find: cocktail dresses, maxi dresses, shift dresses, bridesmaid dresses, debs dresses, knee length dresses and full length gowns. Each dress is handmade of 100% silk, with each bead and sequin hand sewn.  The range is designed and created in Paris and stocked exclusively by CoutureOnline in Ireland.  Each dress is said to be designed to fit like a glove, with some of the dresses including built-in corsets and cups (more chips please!).

Prices start from €149 working upwards to €699.  If that all seems too much for one wear these guys are also offering a rental service starting at €50 up to €120.  Let us know if you have used them and how you got on.

Left – right above: (SJP vibe going on with the first option) Albane €299, Altificio €199

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The editor of Doo-lally put together a couple of race day looks, we thought this was the best pick.. (an added bonus – their Summer sale is also on!).  All these items you will wear again and again, throw on a pair of flip flops to take the dress to a more casual level.  Our favourite?  It’s got to be the shoes with that much needed sneaky platform!  They will work with shorts, skirts, jeans, trousers… need we say anymore more?

Here’s what the editor had to say about her choice, “The perfect race day outfit is high chic yet appears effortless, well cut and fitted, cleverly accessorized and above all stands out from the competition.  Be daring and pick bold colours like our Mimosa Sublime Dress teamed with Chinese Laundry heels and Suzy Smith bag, then finish off the look with oversized sunnies and simple accessories to maximize glamour.”

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Do you want to dress to impress at the Galway Races?  If you aren’t already aware Ladies Day at The Galway Races, is on Thursday 29th July, and will no doubt be a great session not to mention a gambling and fashion frenzy!  We’ve had a quick rummage at our ‘never let you down’ stores Monsoon and Accessorize to kit you out head to toe and leave enough change for a little flutter on the GGs.

The favourite here at wow hands down was the fourth option – yes, it’s black, but it is also on trend encorporating sheer while still being a classic that won’t date, a great and rare combination!

1. Lilly Maxi Dress – Monsoon – €339

2. Cadby Trapeeze Dress – Monsoon – €250

3. Ella Dress – Monsoon – €115

4. Kipp Tunic Dress – Monsoon – €186

5. Koko tunic – Monsoon – €115

6. Obelia Dress – Monsoon – €199

7. Cut Feather Pill Box Fascinator – Accessorize – €34

8. Peacock Pill Box Fascinator – Accessorize – €37

9. Swan Lake Alice Band – Accessorize – €23.50

10. Lace Mini Top Hat Fascinator – Accessorize – €40

11. Glitterati Dress – Monsoon Fusion €95

12. Pippa Dress – Monsoon Fusion €99

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The large mob of people standing in the blazing early evening sun in Paris extended to the curb, providing a model sized walk through for the guests of the Valentino haute couture show to enter the Place Vendome. The crowd was desperate to catch a glimpse of Liz Hurley (in a fuchsia slip dress) and other young socialites who were inside.

The collection designed by Valentino designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, was mainly based on an ultra short trapeze dress (or stunning coat) in organza, gazar or wool crepe. Adding to the designs were bows and feminine flounces. The models had their hair styled in dome-shaped buns and wore mules with more bows and tiny flowers tied to the tips, making them look lighter than feathers that might suddenly blow away. Fragile was the word du jour, though the look only suits certain body types (such as Calista Flockhart’s and the waif thin models used). The collection is comprised of high hem lines, patterns from the mind of a little girl and flimsy shapes. Even the beautiful Elizabeth Hurly would have a hard time making the collection work on her immaculate figure.

Despite the delicate cuts, the collection is easily the most impressive shown by Chiuri and Picciolli since taking over design at Valentino. The heart of the house was shown in the pale yellows and greens, the infamous Valentino seductive red and splashes of pink. The wool crepe suits with vented sleeves tied with tiny bows and precise to-date mix of feminine airy fabrics and structured cuts are signature Valentino, reminding us that heaven can be achieved on earth. Valentine himself is a fan of excess, as can be seen throughout the collection and in his previous couture shows.

One might say that Chiuri and Piccioli have not really experimented with classic Valentino standards, nor raised them. We want to see young clothes, as do the designers themselves (should their clientele die from old age and sales die out faster than Lindsay Lohan’s acting career), but perhaps the previous designs are immature and inexperienced?

This collection is easier on the eyes and the message is easier to read. High end, eccentric fashion is not just for Upper East Side queens, but is for women of all ages. Simplistic femininity is a timeless look. Bows, transparency, floral cuts – these are feminine, and femininity is innate to all women. Embrace it.

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If you are aged between 30-45 you should be full of excitement as FWM have created their Autumn/Winter collection with you in mind!  The designers know that your time is precious balancing work, family and life in general so have tried to come up with a collection that that will give you ‘effortless glamour’.  They also know that this age group are experienced enough to expect quality, luxury and durability from their wardrobe – here here.

If they are true to their word this label could be your NBF!   With varying price points there’s something to suit all pockets.  Prices as follows: Jackets €131 – €275, Leather Jacket €479, Sheepskin Jacket €599, Dresses €107 – €479, Trousers €119 – €143, Skirts €107 – €203, Tee shirts €47 – €119, Shirts €95 – €119, Knitwear €95 – €239, Coats €299 – €355.

Left -Right: Flower Print Silk Linen Lifestyle €179, Harbin Linen Tweed €190, Photo flower print €179, Oriental Flower Print €190 and the Wild Rose Print €107.

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Here’s a run through of what’s hot this Summer, or what’s left of it!  Sales are on so if you haven’t already bought into the trends now is a good time to bag an on trend bargain before the wollies come creep back in.

Hot Pants and Boy Shorts

If ever there was a time to hit the gym, it’s NOW. Hemlines have crept up to shorter than short; in fact reaching the negative. Hot pants, boy shorts, and tap pants are all variations on this shorter-than-short style, which in many cases reveal more than just one’s legs.

Once upon a time hot pants were considered more suited to a gymnasium than the streets. But then, in late 2007, the leotard came back into fashion. While it didn’t peak on the streets until 2009, and was often worn under skirts, shorts or long furs, in the case of Kate Moss, its prevalence guaranteed that hot pants would indeed be worn by forward thinking fashionisers.

And so there it was on the Spring 2010 catwalks. And again in the front row. Always on the confident personality. Always on a great figure.

Those two latter parts are key to this fashion trend. It is not for the faint of heart, nor those who aren’t confident about their figure.

Patterned and Printed Pants

No longer must we stick to boring block colours on our lower half, for all varieties of printed pants made their way onto the Spring runways. Whether floral, striped, abstract, bold or subdued… patterns on pants are giving us new bold wardrobe options for the warmer months.

From tailored trousers to skinny cigarette pants, to ripped jeans and leather leggings; over the past years pants have predominantly been worn in block colours. What’s more, they’ve become something of a basic: frequently worn as a subtle item, while attention was focussed on increasingly-detailed tops, jackets, dresses, and skirts.

In 2010, pants are getting their own back.

As one of the Spring 2010 fashion trends printed and patterned pants are bringing us a whole range of new wardrobe options.  The Animal Print Jumpsuit and Rose Print Harems are both from Warehouse.

Strips for the Summer

Stripes may be eternal, but there are ways to bring them into line with the perfect on-trend Summer look this year. Make stripes a dominant feature of your outfit and you’re well on the way. From nautical colours to clashing with other prints the strips trend and how to wear it in 2010 is entirely up to you!

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Awear want us to ‘Get Glam in time for race season’ and have just sent us this pre-view of what to expect….

With race season just around the corner, A|wear has given us an exclusive preview on some of the fab dress styles due to hit stores over the next two weeks. Lia Tallon, A|wear’s stylist to the stars has picked her six must have dresses for the summer season & with prices from as little as €35, there are plenty to see you through the social whirl of summer!

“Summer is all about colour and bright prints with maxi’s being one of the hottest trends to hit the catwalk this season, from light shades to deeper tones and bright bold prints, there is definitely a shade and style to suit everyone. The shift dress is also key whether dressed up with heels for all out glamour or dressed down with flats and oversized sunnies for a relaxed daytime look”.

Dresses come in both short & long this race season. Lia’s absolute favourite is a printed chiffon maxi (€50) in shades of vivid orange, purple or jade green, worn with super high wedges or simply with gladiator flats. The shift dress is also a staple for the season ahead but now with added detailing. Think monochrome graphic prints offset with ruffle hem details (€35) or pleated styles with shades of muted grey (€50). For the girl who loves her sparkle, the pewter sequin shift dress (€60) is perfect for a laid back glam look…pair it with killer heels and a simple clutch & your set to go!

Even better news for all our Galway Girls… A|wear is hosting an exclusive Girls Night In on the 21st of July just before the Galway races. Guests on the night will be treated to 20% off all full price purchases, free drinks courtesy of Bulmers, GOSH makeovers and our in store DJ will provide hot summery sounds! To tick all the fashion boxes on your race card email party@awear.ie to RSVP.

All dresses featured here arrive in A|wear stores nationwide over the next two weeks.

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Yes it’s seriously clammy and hot so thinking about Winter fashion almost seems like a chore!  Bare with us, the clip below will tease you back to thinking fitting coats, capes and wolly jumpers.

We’re totally loving Karen Millen‘s Autumn/Winter collection.  What do we like most… the colour palatte, as they’ve opted for simple muted tones that are more inclined to show off the tailoring as opposed to a loud print.  You are always guaranteed well fitted clothing with these guys but they are probably better known for their use of bling, silk fabrics and prints.  Not any more, check out their A/W ’10 collection here with Creative Director Gemma Metheringham giving a run through of what to expect.

We’ll bring you more on this when the temperature reduces and you can get your head around looking at Winter woolies!

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There is no better opportunity to go fashion crazy than at a Summer festival! It is one of those rare occasions where you can be creative and dress as you like. You can move away from the stereotypical fashion trends and do something different and daring. Forget the rules, be rebellious and wear what you want!

Mac senior make-up artist, Neil Young says ‘Festivals are a great playground for fashion, hair and make-up. You can let yourself go and do things with your make-up that wouldn’t be appropriate anywhere else’.

Try out a neon lipstick that you would not usually dare to wear such as Barry M Hot Pink Lipstick or experiment with metallic nail polishes. The lash bar and Hairspray stock a great selection of colourful and dramatic eyelashes that will certainly highlight your eyes and make you stand out from the crowd.

Using make-up isn’t the only way to express yourself. Add outrageous colours to your hair, temporary hair dyes, hair clip-ins or wigs. Try some hair accessories at Hairspray and go crazy a la Lily Allen at last Summer’s Glastonbury Festival!

If you don’t have the time, money or energy to splash out on a new festival wardrobe, try instead to spice up your outfits with accessories, bearing in mind the bolder the accessories the better!

Customise simple shirts with interesting buttons. Team funky patterned tights with vibrant wellies. Experiment with crazy headbands. Use bold and bright sunglasses in a similar style to Sienna Miller and Kelly Osbourne at the Coachella festival.

Here is a sample of some wild accessories to give you inspiration!

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Jean Paul Gaultier’s haute couture collection for this fall/winter can be described in three words: hot, whoreish and hilarious. As is the nature of haute couture, some of the designs were a bit way-out and over-the-top. Jean Paul is famous for his impressive and innovative style and design talents. This collection is classic Gaultier in every respect.

Guests to the show included French actress Catherine Deneuve, French Minister for Culture Frederic Mitterrand and fashion photographer Mario Testino. Gothic burlesque queen Dita von Teese also attended the show – as a model, walking the runway at number thirty-two dressed as a vampire in a floor length black satin number. The dress incorporated the big shoulders of the 1980s and the toga of ancient Greece and Rome. I love it.

The models came out holding cigarettes and wearing high twisted turbans so as to portray the Parisian brothel crossed with Arabian chic inspiration for the collection.

Gaultier also took inspiration from under the sea with a series of scuba style designs in neoprene-leather, backed with the same type of foam usually found in a padded bra. Scuba style jackets and dresses, in silver and black, were embroidered with articulated joints at the shoulder, elbow and hip, or else worn with mink fins along the sleeves.

The couture bridal piece came in the form of Elena Lazic walking the runway in a white satin trench coat playing the Wedding March on a white violin. Très eccentric.

The show wound up with Dita von Teese walking again wearing rather plain lingerie with what looks like moulded glittery black wax hugging her bone structure. Not exactly my taste, but haute couture is all about the innovative and the inspirational.

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