Fash Mob »

• Mulberry (finally) launches the Del Rey

  May 15, 2012 @ 7:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  Back in February, we caught our first glimpse of Mulberry’s Del Rey bag, on none other than Mme Del Rey herself, sitting a mere two seats in front of me at the Mulberry A/W 2012 catwalk show. Well now the vintage-inspired bag has arrived, and is available now on Mulberry.com for a mere £795. I’m being a tad sarcastic with the “mere” there, but £795 is not the highest price Mulberry could have put on the bag, so I am ever-so-slightly pleasantly surprised.

  

  And you know what? Despite my initial reservations about the bag – I thought it slightly “meh”, as all of the best wordsmiths say, upon first glance – it has really grown on me and I feel as if the Del Rey bag could be my “gateway” bag. You know, the bag that finally ushers in my adulthood and takes me away from childish dressing and Converse on weekends.

  

  What do you think? Is the Del Rey a yay or a nay for you? And, while we’re at it . . .

  

  PS If you don’t already read Mulberry’s blog, you should; this is how a brand embraces social media.

• Carey Mulligan’s Met Gala dress is on eBay

  May 10, 2012 @ 6:07 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  Carey Mulligan is putting her custom-made Prada halterneck dress, worn to Monday’s Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum, on eBay in aid of Oxfam America. It’s described as custom-made, previously worn (duh!) and between a size 38-40 which, in Italian sizes, makes it a UK 6 (although, crucially, if we’re talking French sizes, it could be a 10-12, which may be more likely).

  

  Bidding for the gown currently stands at $1,025 with nine days left to go. It’ll be interesting to see how much this dress nabs for Oxfam!

  

  Whatever about the dress, I’d kill for that hair. Gorgeous.

• What I bought – the austerity edition

  April 23, 2012 @ 2:30 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  Of late, I’ve noticed a definite change in my spending – although it’s not brought on by any huge change in my own fiscal situation, I’ve begun to err on the side of caution when purchasing rather than throwing all abandon to the wind and pressing “checkout” a couple of times a day. In part, I blame Pinterest for granting me the ability to “pin” things into my personal shopping list, to be reviewed at a later date; I also blame my OCD tendency to desire minimalism and Muji-esque zen in my living quarters (something I fear I am never to achieve); lastly, I suppose I could think myself to be maturing. I leave that until last as it seems most unlikely. In any case, here’s what I bought this week: practical, wearable, maybe unexciting? But already wardrobe staples, and isn’t that better than nothing?

  

  Here’s a blurry dress from Marks & Spencer‘s petite range that I bought yesterday on Henry St. As I am not petite, it is somewhat sexier and shorter on me. But I love it. Worn today with pink tights, brown ankle boots and a brown belt. And, of course, a denim shirt. Here’s a close-up:

  

  Stretchy, jersey material – and machine-washable! (I think I aged 20 years typing that sentence.)

  

  Grey leather Converse from Office. Again, these aren’t about to knock anyone’s socks off but they’re a modern take on a classic – I took the chance to eschew regular canvas for high-class leather, and this slate grey was just begging to be taken home. I have a pair in navy but find they seem to jar with certain blue jeans … now, where did I put my Credit Union book?

• Michelle O’Connor – a most stylish lady Q&A

  April 17, 2012 @ 12:30 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  So, as you’ll all know from reading last week’s blog post about the Irish Grand National, Michelle O’Connor won the title of Carton House Most Stylish Lady on the day, as judged by Rosanna Davison and Brendan Courtney. I asked her a few questions about her race-day style and Michelle was good enough to answer them for me!

  Are you a frequent racegoer?

  I go racing all year round. My granddad loved the races and I have been going since I was very young – it is a bit of a family tradition. I am from Navan and Meath has a fantastic connection to racing with fantastic jockeys and courses. Navan Racecourse and Fairyhouse Racecourse are so close and a great family day out.

  Is this your first win at such an event? A little birdie told us you won at Taste of Dublin recently . . .         

  I did! That was my first win. I go to the Galway races every year with a gang and two years ago I was shortlisted for best dressed – that sparked my interest. I love the style at the races- seeing the effort people go to. It’s a great excuse to get dressed up, too!

  How do you usually decide what to wear? (As in, when do you decide; do you get help?

  It depends on the day! I play around with a few looks and decide what is most suitable depending on the weather. My wardrobe is quite versatile and I mix and match different pieces. I generally buy key pieces that are interchangeable so I can give outfits different looks. I usually try my outfit on for my mam to see what she thinks. (ed note: awwww!)

  What do you think about when planning what to wear to the races?

  I try to pick something that is appropriate in terms of the weather. I like to take something and put my own stamp on it.

  What do you work at?

  I work in HR in the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.

  How do you dress, day do day; how would you describe your style?

  I wear a suit every day. That way I don’t need to think about what to wear to work. Suits are great they look professional and are effortless. Dunnes Stores, Next and Zara all have fantastic suits at reasonable prices. Outside of work I would describe my style as classic – I love the tailored look- a nice pair of skinny jeans/ pumps and a blazer! For nights out- I love fitted dresses that have a little bit of length to them.

  What are your favourite places to shop, either in person or online?

  Zara – I love Zara! I love that they take what is on the catwalk and make it affordable to everyone. Ebay is fantastic for everything!

  Who is your ultimate style icon?

  Audrey Hepburn for her classic style – and the hats of course. In modern terms I love Olivia Palermo‘s style – she is so classic.

  What’s your most prized possession?

  My boyfriend bought me a pair of peep-toe Christian Louboutins for Christmas. They are cherished and are worn for special occasions.

  What’s your best bargain – and what is the most expensive item you own?

  I have bought one or two hats vintage hats on ebay that are immaculate and inspiring – I’m looking forward to wearing them. I bought a fabulous lace jacket in Karen Millen – it was about €300 – I love it, and the Louboutins of course! Here is my most recent purchase, from Zara.

• Fearne Cotton for Littlewoods Ireland – do you love her as much as I do?

  April 16, 2012 @ 7:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  Recognise this dress, from the Fearne Cotton at LittlewoodsIreland range? It’s the very dress Maura Derrane sported for the VIP Style Awards a few weeks back – and I love it even more, having seen it in person. In fact, I love a lot of what Fearne does for Littlewoods – I had a few items in my basket there but their payment page went a bit nuts and saved me from myself.

  

  I was about to spend a mere €35 on these jeans, for example – the reviews section told me that they run big, which made me even more likely to purchase … and of course I was going to shell out for the leopard-print sandals. What’s not to love?!

  

  I’m also a big fan of Fearne’s body art; it makes me wish I had more, and that the tattoos I do have were more intricate, but then I remember the queasiness and the fainting and I go off the idea. (I know, I’m a right wimp.)

  

  This dress is very cute, too – although evidently quite short, and on petite Fearne, that revelation is quite worrying. How short will it be on those of us taller than 5ft 3″?!

  

  This maxi may well end up in my summer wardrobe. If they ever sort out their online payment form! For now I’ll have to be happy with what’s in my current wardrobe, and sate my appetite for new clothes by perving on photographs of Fearne here.

• Louboutin sells online – bank balances quake and quiver

  April 13, 2012 @ 12:30 pm | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  This week Christian Louboutin began selling online for the first time in the brand’s 20-year history – which is bad news for all of those other sites purporting to sell Loubs. (The main authorised site for Christian Louboutin products was previously Net-a-Porter.)

  

  One of my favourite things about the site is its background imagery – hilarious scenes with Christian himself interacting with Barbie dolls! Brilliant. I love it when a designer – or any famous person, really – demonstrates his or her sense of humour.

  

  These pumps – from the brand’s 20th anniversary collection – are on my current lust list. When you look down on them they spell out “love”. I’ve just realised that when you combine that sentence with yesterday’s wedding post, you could come to some very Glenn Close-esque conclusions about me!

  

  This sketch is one of Christian’s of his classic shoes, recreated for the 20th anniversary collection.

  I would do a post on my list of “want”s from the site, but it would take hours … have you any on your lust list? Could you ever justify the price?

• Arizona Muse for Next

  @ 7:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  You must have seen these images – of Arizona Muse for Next‘s S/S ad campaign – cropping up in magazines over the past few weeks. More sun-saturated Miami-themed imagery, because God knows we need it. Still, isn’t it a nice balm for the wet, windy afternoons we’ve been having lately? Do summery campaign images make you feel like holidaying or like committing homicide? (I, personally, veer towards the latter, though I do appreciate a good tanned leg.)

  

  

  

  

• Zara man April lookbook

  April 9, 2012 @ 7:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  The men in Zara‘s April lookbook are a vision of suited, booted sleekness – all slim fit trousers and fitted shirts, with single breasted blazers and James Dean-inspired hair. I’m not quite sure I can see the Spanish retailer’s vision of male fashion catching on on our shores, mind you; I’ve witnessed many an Irish man’s horror at the idea of wearing trousers without socks, for one, so this slick-living suiting might not be up their alley.

  

  Click through for more shots from the lookbook – and shop it over on Zara.com!

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• Toms branches out into eyewear

  April 4, 2012 @ 10:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  If you have been paying attention to fashion, media, popular culture and philanthropy (or any of the four) over the past five years or so, you will have heard of Toms, the charitable company set up by (major lasher) Blake Mycoskie with the motto of “one for one” – for every pair of simple shoes sold, a pair of shoes would be donated to a child in the developing world.

  Now the company is branching out into eyewear and extending the one-for-one promise – for every pair of sunglasses sold, one person in the developing world will regain their sight, either by means of eye-saving surgery, prescription glasses or medical treatment. I think what you mean to say is: amazing. I know that I won’t be buying my sunglasses from anyone else from now on – it helps, obviously, that Toms’ range includes a variety of really cool styles, but the knowledge that my purchase is helping make a difference … well.

  Prices start at £110 and glasses are available online.

  Blake has also written a book, Start Something that Matters, which is on my list – once I get through the seriously brilliant The Sisters Brothers. (And I also wrote about Toms here.)

• Claire Danes covers Asos magazine

  April 2, 2012 @ 11:30 am | by Rosemary Mac Cabe

  

  So, if you missed the finale of Homeland, you’re a fool. Also, stop reading now. Also, stop what you’re doing, watch it and come back to me. I loved the series, more than I’ve loved a series since … well, maybe since Buffy, which really helped form the woman I am today. (Aspiring blonde, bad taste in music, weakness for vampire fiction.) Such a well made programme – and Danes is incredible in it, which is such a relief since Stardust.

  

  And, of course, I love Asos magazine, so this is a win-win. That said (or, I guess, written), I find this styling slightly jarring. Danes has never been a holidays-in-Miami type to me, so to see her in these tropical prints, hanging out in this idyllic holiday background just doesn’t work for me. Thoughts?