Fashion

Fashion forward: Steal vs Splurge, backstage beauty and style tips

In our weekly fashion column, Deirdre McQuillan and Dominique McMullan round up this week’s news, style advice and more

The newest accessory to get a tassel upgrade is the handbag. Try this suede bag for €24 from Penneys (left) or upgrade to first class with this Hudson mini-tasselled leather shoulder bag from €1,550 at Chloé (right)

Dominique McMullan
Deirdre McQuillan
Thu Mar 3 2016 - 08:00

HEAD LINES: At London Fashion Week significant time and energy is put into the details that surround the clothes on the catwalks, such as the hair. This season we watched Mark Hampton, global brand ambassador for Toni & Guy, look after the crowning glories of the models for Vivienne Westwood and Roksanda. With each outfit, Hampton imagines what his "mum, sister or the] girl on the street would do". For Roksanda the hair was styled in a low-slung ponytail sitting below the hairline so as "not to detract attention from the high, detailed neck pieces". At Vivienne Westwood the inspiration was fallen angels. The hair was twisted into tight curls around the head, resulting in a look that mimicked "hat hair or a relaxed top knot".

STEAL V SPLURGE: The newest accessory to get a tassel upgrade is the handbag. Try this suede bag for €24 from Penneys (left) or upgrade to first class with this Hudson mini-tasselled leather shoulder bag from €1,550 at Chloé (right) on netaporter.com DMcM

SOLE SURVIVORS: The Cobbler's Wardrobe is a new venture on Sandymount Green in Dublin offering luxury second-hand footwear for sale along with shoe and handbag repairs.

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It is owned and run by Hollie Creedon, a niece of Isaac Jackman of the C&D shoe repair business on Charlemont Street in the capital, a business which was founded 60 years ago by Creedon’s grandfather.

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The other premises in Sandymount is now the location of this new enterprise which will trade on a consignment basis but will also facilitate customers who want to sell shoes or boots that are in good condition but that they no longer want.

All items are priced on an individual basis that reflect condition, style and popularity. Some of the well-known high-end brands currently on offer include Jimmy Choo, Valentino, Christian Louboutin, Chanel, McQueen and Lanvin. Creedon, who has a BA from Dublin City University and finished a course in fashion buying and merchandising, brings her experience and love of travel and vintage to the shop which is full of quirky finds and fashion pieces.

THE STYLIST SAYS (Ciara Doherty, blogger): "Focus on your basics, first and foremost. A wardrobe full of on-trend, statement pieces won't work without a framework of solid, everyday pieces to build from. Start with your basics, and you'll make your life much easier." Favourite item? Her Louis Vuitton bag from Brown Thomas