The Fashion Industry Insider by Nicky Harris

I’m not sure if I don’t need a lot of sleep or I just don’t get enough of it. Whatever the answer it’s a good job because at the moment I’m lucky if I get to bed before one in the morning. Last Friday I was between Blogging, Tweeting, Facebooking, selling, organising Charity events oh and family when I got a call from RTE asking me if I would come in on Tuesday morning (early) to do a piece on…….Nylons or to be more up to date, hosiery. Without thinking I of course said yes, that’s going to be easy peasy, after all it’s one of the things I sell and know well.

It turned out to be the most challenging subjects in terms of research. Every time I did a Google search and entered in either tights, stay-ups or stockings I quickly found myself either in Nora Batty or Dita Von Teese territory and more besides! At one stage my partner glanced over towards the computer and asked what exactly I was doing as I was quickly exiting yet another porn site.

I started contributing on Ryan Tubridy’s radio programme over a year ago when I did a piece on Music Therapy following my daughters accident and subsequent rehabilitation in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoire. On the way out the producer said ‘that went great, can you talk about anything else’? To which I replied ‘Well, If you ask me about anything to do with fashion?’. I didn’t think about it until a couple of months later when I got a call to go in. Today was, I think, my sixth or seventh time.

So, last night following the live Bloggers Conference Stream from Independent Fashion Bloggers in New York with Susie Bubble, Bryanboy and Tavi amongst the panel, I got down to the research work involved in hosiery and finally got to sleep around two. I was in RTE bright and early. The piece went fine and much to Ryan Tubridy’s and the Producers surprise literally hundreds of emails and texts poured in on the subject of Hosiery. It seems everyone has an opinion…….

Have a great week ahead..

www.nickysragtales.com

Heidi Higgins to Open Boutique in Portlaoise

Heidi Higgins launches SS10 collection

and the label’s new studio / boutique destination

The excitement that greeted the debut collection of dynamic young designer Heidi Higgins means that expectations for her second collection are intense.

Be assured – the outlook for this Spring / Summer is splendid.

The air of anticipation lifts at last Friday March 5th when Heidi’s shining new collection is officially revealed at the proud opening of her very own maison couture at No. 27 Church Street, Portlaoise.

This state-of-the-art, open-plan store and studio will house the full collection and will enable the designer to work closely with clients on custom orders; while individual pieces will, of course, be available at selected boutiques across the country.

Heidi caught the eye of top fashion editors and Ireland’s shrewdest style bloggers grace of a timeless first collection that, for a covetous Irish Independent, evoked the Hepburn-esque charm of sophisticated starlet Carey Mulligan in hit film An Education.

A new season – and with a fashion landscape that’s still firmly fixated on film, Heidi is sure to build a stellar reputation with a Spring/Summer collection that gleams with all the cool perfection of January Jones (Mad Men’s Betty Draper) and pops with the posh poise of one Felicity Jones (the beautiful English star of Ricky Gervais feature film Cemetery Junction and darling of Vanity Fair magazine).

With striking colours that put the wearer centre stage, the aesthetic is prim yet bold; deluxe yet practical. The resplendent palette encompasses Jade, Blackberry Purple, Hot Pink, Sassy, Lemon and Ocean Blue – an underwater garden of spectacular shades.

Featuring lively original prints that speak to the current trend for playful, optimistic pattern, the shapes swish from lush drapes to natty folds and nipped waists; from delicately swooping necklines to the straightest cuts and firmest pleats.

Key pieces for the season include the Adele Dress and Amelia Jacket, in finest wool crèpe. These exquisitely tailored matching pieces come in turquoise or pink – the classic shapes given a delightful twist with a pretty polka print insert on the jacket sleeves and curling coyly along the neckline.

Elsewhere, the Esme dress picks up on the current fascination for bows, as seen at the recent Paris Fashion Week for Chanel. It also features clever darting and side-seam zip.

The intricate print of the Tess dress tells tales that recall the Escher-like digital designs of Riccardo Tisci for this season’s Givenchy; while Tess’s innovative textured fabric sculpts desirably round the figure and holds its shape off the shoulder.

Lara, in Taffeta lume, is this season’s classic little black dress. The detail is what defines it – the lush ivory silk organza collar detail ensures that Lara is the epitome of elegance. In a charming twist on the theme, Heidi has also created an Indigo Navy and Strawberry version.

This season sees a return of the luxurious, top-quality silk jersey fabrics that have made Heidi a designer whose work begs to be touched as well as seen. Key jersey pieces for Spring/Summer are the lovely Lulu dress (which mixes silk satin in a gloriously draped, flowing design), the Kelly wrap dress and the Ellen dress (which pairs a rippling silk satin top draped from the empire line into a gorgeous jersey skirt).

One of the most enjoyably artful pieces for the season is the ingeniously detailed Izzy dress, a silk crèpe de chine design that comes in ocean blue with polka dot facing print, or pink with black facing. Short and sweet – this one is perfect for flirting.

The collection is available in Heidi Higgins’ boutique at No.27 Church Street, Portlaoise, and at selected boutiques around the country. See www.heidihiggins.com for details. For further information, contact +353 (0)87 973 0532.

www.heidihiggins.com

Kate and Ava SS010 Collection

’Kate and Ava’’s colourful SS 10 collection is bringing some much needed sunshine to Ireland this season, it has already arrived in boutiques nationwide.

Drawing inspiration from Africa and the 1970’s has created an interesting mix of prints and colours.

Woven and embossed fabrics, gold and printed metallics, silk crepe, silk chiffon are all incorporated with pink, peach, amber, blue, lilac to create an uplifting collection of separates.

Loosely tailored jackets and structured dresses are present as always in wardrobe staples colours in black and blue. Prices range from 150- 400 EUR

Stockists:

Divine,
Strand Street, Malahide,
Co. Dublin

Dai,
24 North Main Street
Wexford

Anastasia,
114 Ranelagh
Dublin 6

Muse, 92 The Quay, Waterford County Boutique, 57 O'Connell Street, Ennis Co. Clare www.countyboutique.com
Seagreen, 11 & 12A Monkstown Cresent, Monkstown, Co Dublin www.seagreen.ie Divine, Manor Mill SC, Maynooth, Co. Kildare www.divine.ie Aria, Poplar Square, Naas, Co. Kildare Ollie & Mac, Market Square, Navan, Co. Meath
Suzanne Belle, Kieran Street, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny www.suzanbelle.ie Bella Narrow West St. Drogheda, Co. Louth Boutique Belle, Asford, Co. Wicklow www.boutique-belle.com http://www.kateandava.ie/

From the Blogs

The Fashion Illustrator: McQueen

Monday's Round up of the Irish Fashion and Beauty Blogs

Stylebible.ie: Approaching Spring Summer with Tess Purcell:
The Spring Summer Season is now in full swing in our stores – with all sorts of interpretations of the seasonal trends which have eventually trickled their way from the catwalks to the high street. But this can prove a little overwhelming for people who haven’t quite settled on a style that they are personally happy with. more

Whatshewears.ie: Tips for choosing the right footwear.
For most of us the reality is that we own more heels than flats or runners, and we have all bought a pair that looked so pretty we had already decided they were coming home with us before we even tried them on.Although for years I have been a slave to shoes I fell in love with, I have now become a bit more conscious of what I put on my feet. There is no point in saying that we are not going to wear heels as much, but if you don’t want to end up with angular toes (medically known as bunions) or trips to the foot doctor, more

TheSavvyShopper.ie: Urban Outfitters

News just in…….Urban Outfitters are currently running a ‘buy one get one free’ offer on their nail varnish…..perfect for a guilt free Monday treat. more

Nickys Rag Tales: Fashion News Round Up

Tributes are pouring in following ‘Lee’ Alexander Mc Queens death last week. Sales of his trademark skull scarves and all things carrying his label are being bought up in stores across the world. On Friday his Press Office issued an urgent call to all Fashion Editors to immediately return any samples from the current or past seasons that were on loan (good luck with that one!)

White Rabbit: Style is comfort

I think style as about dressing in what feels comfortable. It may sound simple but I am still learning about it. It is not only about choosing the right size and fit, but also about knowing which clothes will become your second skin. How many times it happened to me that I was wearing a novelty piece, or something I saw on somebody else and admired, and I felt like a sheep dressed in wolf’s clothes. To know how to be stylish is to know yourself.more

Soooali: Check Mate
Houndstooth is such a classic pattern. I found this jacket in Camden Market last year and fell in love with it. It’s a perfect fit. Often I’m running out the door and don’t have time to think of nice outfits to wear, but a jacket can change that so easily. This is the most popular go-to jacket in my wardrobe. It makes me feel like I’m not invisible, because it’s so bold. I saw ‘A Single Man’ today and was blown away. If you’re an emotional person, you can really get sucked right into it, which is quite powerful. The visuals and music are superb. The intensity throughout is executed to perfection, more

I Blog Fashion: London Fashion Week AW 10/11
t's back! London Fashion Week kicks off again at Somerset House this Friday for the unveiling of its AW10 collections. I'm all sorts of excited. Don't know which tickets I've scored until I get to my hotel on Thursday which makes the anticipation all the more palpable. Wonder if this tee I bought will finagle me a front row seat next to 'the bob'? Anna and Annmarie. Besties! Has a ring to it, dontcha think?

The Boutique Buzz

The Boutique Buzz - http://bit.ly/acspLX

The Fashion Industry Insider by Nick Harris

'The Season' is in full swing and our showroom is buzzing. Over the years Fahions come and go, customers come and go. Each season we add more to the wonderful life stories that we weave together, catching up on business, family which have nothing at all to so with fashion but everything to do with relationships which are the lifeblood of any business.
The Job of an Agent has two sides. One is to represent the Companies and the second is to form a relationship with the customers. Companies would like to think that our alegience to them comes first and in truth we let them think that because it keeps them happy. We attend range meeetings before the start of each season and tell thm their range looks great (even if privately, occasionaly it looks like a dogs dinner!) After all it's too late at that stage for any changes to be made.
Out main alegience is always to our customers, those who come to our showroom Season in and Season out and place orders with us. They trust us to tell them when we think certain garments should be bought and trust us when we tell them that certain others shouldn't. The customers are our life blood and it doesn't matter how wonderful the companies are ( and we do our utmost to look after their business in Ireland) As on the shop floor 'The customer always comes first'.
Next week I will be in London with some of my customers for London Fashion Week at the Jaeger London Catwalk show which will be great fun in a very business like way , of course! So Fashions come and go but hopefully the retailers will remain and they will continue to do what they do so well. Buying great clothes and providing Irish women, who so love style and fashion, great choice across the many collections on offer.
Have a great week ahead.....

www.nickysragtales.com
twitter.com/nickysragtales

Rockin Reptile SS010

Moschino SS010 collection available at Olivia Danielle

available at Oliva Danielle Boutique, 19 Church Street Athlone 0906472707

Irish Fashion Innovation Finalist Announced

With over 120 entries, organisers of the first ‘Irish Fashion Innovation Awards’, Golden Egg promotions, said they were overwhelmed with the incredible response and high quality of entries they received from individuals and colleges nationwide.

The judging panel who includes some of the most respected names in the Irish fashion industry including fashion guru Eddie Shanahan, world-famous jewellery designer Slim Barrett, Irish Times fashion editor, Deirdre McQuillan as well as TG4’s ‘Paisean Faisean’ presenter Blathnaid Ni Dhonnchadha had the challenging task of selecting only a few finalists in each category. The lucky finalists will showcase their designs at the Awards fashion show on March 18th in the Radisson BLU Hotel, Galway.

The show will also include a special 'Lifetime Contribution to Irish Fashion Award' with many of the country’s leading designers in the running and rumours are abound that many International names will be heading West to attend the event. The awards and finalists’fashion show is open to the public and tickets are €40 and can be purchased by calling (091) 384350 or visit: www.goldenegg.ie for more details. Irish Fashion Innovation Finalist 2010

Student Category
Ciara O Toole- GTI Galway
Meabh Ni Chualain -GTI Galway
Lorna Murphy _GTI Galway
Laura Gilsenan - GTI Galway
Mary Lennon NCAD Dublin
Suzanna Melinn NCAD
Keelin Cunningham NCAD
Susan O'Carroll NCAD
Emma-Kate Cummings - NWRC DERRY
Oliver Doherty - NWRC Derry
Tara Mc Cauley - NWRC Derry
Jade Roberts - NWRC Derry

Jewellery Category
Colette Porter - Galway
ElaineSarah Comerford - Waterford
Victoria Foutz- Mayo
Vivienne Martin - Galway
Claire Walshe - Galway

Accessory Category
Suzie Mahony - Galway
Linda Gruet - Dublin
Michelle Mc Carroll - Donegal
Mark Burke - Galway
Davina Lynch - Cavan
Hope and Benson - Leitrim