LUNN, the new collection from the French fashion company Lilith, is designed with a relaxed and comfortable sensibility. Fitting women of all shapes and sizes, the simple pieces are infused with the Lilith whimsy and poetry, each with an artistic or avant garde detail.
Their agent for UK and Ireland: Lyn Burns, lynburnsfashions@yahoo.co.uk
I have spent the last couple of weeks in Canada on family business but of course as a serial shopper and always curious I just had to check out the fashion and see if I could find anything interesting that might work here or indeed to see what the differences are.
Canadian women at this time of year are wearing flat biker style boots, good jeans and cashmere knitwear over a casual shirt with black fur lined padded outdoor jackets. It seems almost to be the day time uniform of choice for women from twenty to sixty. Casual, practical clothing is the order of the day and Vancouver where I was has a similar climate to here. In fact it was warmer there than here!. Why I wonder are we not more practical in our choice of clothing and why do we not understand good fabrics often choosing by looks rather than quality?
All the usual designer labels are on sale and the fashion is somewhat conservative in the stores. The Independent boutiques are filled with interesting craft and ethical goods. The leather bags I found made from vintage jackets are to die for.
What should be of interest for all of us in Ireland is the politeness and professionalism of all the staff in all the boutiques and stores. They are all very well trained in the art of selling (and it is an art). When you enter someone smiles and says hello. That isn’t rocket science just good manners which are often missing here. I think sometimes in Ireland we feel that we don’t wish to annoy a potential customer but believe me just making a connection when someone walks in the door is the start of a possible relationship. A sale can follow on from that.
Have a fashionable week ahead….
Love by Enzoani:
L o v e by Enzoani is the latest, hottest 'Special Occasionwear' to hit the Irish shores. Originally designed and created in Los Angeles, by eponymous ENZOANI, 'L o v e' is firmly rooted in high quality construction and rich detail. Their AW11 collection has a 1950’s feel, with blue ink, magenta and mustard featuring in fabrics such as mikado and silky taffeta.
Wholesale Enquiries for Ireland Contact:
Bolero Boutique is nestled in Dalkey Village and stocks a truly unforgettable collection of exclusive designs from very famous Designers.
Stockists and stylists for the very best in international couture. Bolero matches elegant, sophisticated lines with cutting-edge designs and leading Europeanand American labels.
From Elsa Serrano, the Red Carpet and Spanish Royals favourite designer, to the chic Rapsodia label and themore avant-garde Japanese Trosman line, Bolero offers everything from cocktail dresses, suits and wedding gowns to exquisite suedes and leathers from Argentina and Italy, complemented by stunning costume jewellery and accessories.
Call Iris for a private viewing or styling appointment.
Here is some infomation on Bolero's brands that are exclusive to Ireland.
The latin look includes designer like Elsa Serranois Italian and sells in London, Italy, New York, She also designed for Isabella Rossallini, the first Lady of Argentina for ten years.
Stockists of Toros Design.
Trosman New York offers beautiful travelling clothes each one prinited in beautiful bright colours, which do not crease and are made by computerized design.
Rapsodia which is multiculturally inspired and conveys the sweetness and the strength of the Latin American woman.
Triptico and Breeders beautiful Argentinian cow hide bags look great with jeans. Sold in London and New York it is exclusive to Bolero in ireland.
In the Merlina Ada we have our exclusive one off evening gowns for debs and balls
Mother of the Bride Outfits Now Available in Sizes 8-24
"VISIT BOLERO BOUTIQUE FOR THAT TRUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE"
I left Dublin at the start of the snow and will probably arrive home just as the thaw has set in. I’m watching the news from Vancouver, which is very cold, crisp and dry!
I’m aware that the retailers are suffering hugely and this on top of a very difficult season, which needed as much pre Christmas business as possible. I also noticed that lots of the boutiques are in sale with lots of offers popping up on their Face Book pages for customers to peruse from their snow bound homes Lets face it the boredom factor alone has many of them at their computers and it’s not too far from the desk top to the wallet in the handbag that’s probably sitting by the side of the couch.
Keeping in touch with customers in a pro active way in this situation makes Fb the ideal platform. If your customers can’t get in to see you there is no better way of showing them what’s waiting for them than by a few well chosen photograph posts with prices. Comments and questions will come from the customers and you may even be able to sell over the phone to those eager to bag a bargain before the snow thaws and everyone is able to start the Christmas Shopping in the real rather than virtual world.
There is no doubt that this Christmas will be unlike others. With a severe well flagged budget next week and terrible weather all fighting to ensure an altogether quieter affair.
I am looking forward to going home in time for a little of the Christmas magic to begin. Chanukah started last Wednesday and lasts for eight days. Being away feels very strange. I’m writing this post from a log cabin on the Island of Gabriola two ferry rides from Vancouver, Canada. It’s pitch black outside and feels like the middle of the night even though it is all of 7pm local time (3am at home.) I should be back to normal next week and in the meantime have a fashionable week ahead….
‘Sparkle Jewellery is the exciting new range of luxury costume jewellery suitable for any occasion.
Born on the red carpets of Hollywood this affordable glamorous collection is now available in Ireland.
It's now time to add some Sparkle to your life!’
Sparkle Jewellery is currently stocked in Coco Boutique, Clarendon street in Dublin city centre and the range will become available nationwide in the run up to Christmas.
For all wholesale and retail enquiries email info@sparklejewellery.ie.
Lara’s Boutique founded by Lara Casey, started nearly 10 years ago with its first boutique shop opening in Dame Lane, Dublin. This shop Lara planned to open with her mother but sadly she passed away the year before. However Lara still went ahead and launched the shop in her mums honour with her mum’s signature above the door to this day. The shops objective was to fill the gap in the market for quirky, fashionable designer labels and party wear. In 2003 Lara’s Boutique was flourishing and the business premises were doubled to 3,000 sq ft in size so it could cater for its expanding client base. The shop is so unique filled with chandeliers, candles and immense charm. Lara became the place to be seen to buy clothes. Every model, TV presenter and celebrity in Ireland graced Lara’s doors.
In 2005 just two years later and with over 10,000 customers Lara opened a second shop in her home town of Terenure, Dublin offering even more exclusive, high-end womenswear. She secured the exclusivity rights for the leading American brand Jovani in Ireland and this bought occasion wear to another dimension. Lara also at this time secured a regular slot styling on Irelands No 1 TV Station RTE on The Café show. This led her to work in the celebrity styling industry and one of her first jobs was styling top Irish boyband Boyzone for their first music video they recorded. This also meant customers would come from far and wide for Lara’s expert styling advice and they appreciated the passion she showed whilst picking outfits for her customers.
With Lara’s creative vision and instinctive buying skills she saw an opportunity to expand her business over the water and in 2008 she opened a shop in the chic Chiswick High Street, London. Bringing the Lara Love over the water this business has also gone from strength to strength and this year Lara launched her own fashion label Lara Couture which is a collection of 100 breathtaking occasion wear dresses with a very much red carpet look. Lara has worked on the designs for this collection for years and since the launch this autumn she has seen amazing press coverage in OK!, London Metro and She Magazine.
In the Spring of 2011 Lara is set to launch her brand new online e-boutique – www.larasfashion.com which will mean customers from all over the world will be able to buy Lara’s Couture range as well as other brands. Over the years Lara’s Boutique shops have evolved and expanded to become one of the most successful, independent luxury boutique retailers and now boasts a customer base of over 20,000. She has secured a prestigious and loyal customer base over the years due to her teams excellent customer service skills, friendliness and styling service that they offer. Lara’s Boutique has welcomed many celebrities to its shops including Katie Price, Michelle Heaton, Alesha Dixon, Claudine Keane, Una Healey, Michelle Keegan and Kim Marsh offering styling advice along the way. With over 15 years fashion industry experience it is no surprise that Lara has been so successful in making her boutique shops so unique and sought after.
