Grunge at its Best....

 “It’s like screaming and no one can hear. You almost feel ashamed that someone could be that important that without them you feel like nothing. No one will ever understand how much it hurts. You feel hopeless like nothing can save you. Then when it’s over and it’s gone, you almost wish that you could have that bad stuff back so that you can have the good.”

Love the styling by  Mel Ottenberg in Rihanna's new video for "We Found Love." He manages to capture that sense of hopelessness with rugged street punk wear and 80s-designed denim threads. 


Mel worked with Opening Ceremony for the video and used pieces from an array of different designers...my favorite being the pointed collar crop top she works below with Western-inspired collar tips and "hold-ups" tights!

New Knit Brief...

Just got our new knit brief...To design a collection of Men's Knitted accessories for an expanding Irish knitwear company Aine Knitwear, inspired by the indigenous people of the Tundra Region.

The designs are to explore Celtic roots and natural heritage and the winning design will be manufactured and exhibited at Showcase Ireland in Jan 2012. The designer will recieve a cheue for €300 and a 6-week work placement at Aine.

Will keep you posted as to how it goes....

Stockholm 2011

Know this isn't technically fashion-related but I recently came across these pictures that I took while in  Stockholm, Sweden this February.  


It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been....and with a H&M on every corner (literally, every corner), snow that actually white and population that remained incredibly stylish, even when facing -20ºC conditions...how could you not love it!


And as a fashion-enthusiast who is drawn to more detailed, polished and sometimes over-the-top aesthetics... the trip did contribute to my design insight too, by introducing me to the paired-back brilliance of Swedish Design...such as Acne, Filippa K and
Cheap Monday...

New DIY project for sure...as soon as I get some spare time...

Check out these gorgeous detachable collars from Eleven Objects.....so cute and wearable,  they could liven up any outfit!! 

Definitely adding them to my ever-growing DIY To-Do List....and considering we just learned how to make stand-and-fall collars in Patterning and Technical class, it could also count as homework! 

A/W 2011-12 Trend Report

So...where to begin??
Well, think this  might be a good place to start...these are the mood boards I created in college for the Market Trend Research project we were assigned this month!


Following hours of trawling through magazines in the library and a day trip to Dublin (such a hard life I know,) I chose to 6 of the most popular trends designers are doing this season to look into further...


The trends I chose were....


* 70's Disco Glam- A trend all about revisiting the past and combining all the best elements of 70's vintage to create a fresh aesthetic that even Bianca Jagger would be envious of. While a rich colour palette of  tactile and luxurious fabrics set the tone for this laid-back-yet-glamorous story, there is a definite split with this trend...70's Bohemia, as seen at Chloe, and the more sophisticated Disco Glamour. 


When it comes to the latter, think shimmering chiffon dresses with thigh-high slits for evening while Python-leather jackets trimmed with coloured fur and paired with high waist flares are perfect items to wear during the day. This look exudes an underlying confidence  and an uncontrived sexuality. Accessorize with a floppy felt hat and a pair of sky-high platforms and follow the 70's era and celebrate in style...be it at relaxed Coachella or in exciting Studio 54.




* Fetish- As soon as Kate Moss (who I LOVE, as you will soon grow to know) had paraded down the catwalk, closing the Louis Vuitton show in little else than bondage boots and cigarette in hand- all things X-RATED shot to the top of every fashionistas Wanted List. And it wasn't long before Lady Gaga followed suit, showing off her  hard-core wares in a skin-tight leather skirt at Thierry Mugler. The super-sexy trend which has lashed its way from the top down can be nailed by paying attention to details such as spikes, straps, zips and studs. Obviously leather, PVC, and sheer meshes were the fabrics of choice for designers, some adding girlie lace and contrast collars for a flirty "French-maid uniform" appeal.


Fashion slaves who have cracked their whip on this S&M trend most successfully are those who have stayed true to the "discipline" aspect of fetish, adopting the less-is-more philosophy..(a back-buttoning blouse is far sexier than a bare top-half!). With corsetry and gloss abound, a nod to your inner dominatrix is sure to dictate our A/W wardrobes, with pieces intended to get you hot under the collar! 


* Ladylike Chic- This A/W saw designers take a nostalgic twist on ladylike dressing with vintage-inspired collections that transported us back to WW2 era Paris. Heralding back to a time when it was considered gauche to look showy and put-together, austere silhouettes of narrow hips and broad shoulders were sent down the runway at the likes of Miu Miu and Fendi. Dresses were slim, long-sleeved and to-the-knee and came elegantly printed with birds or Lilly of the Vally florals. 


Of course, women of the 40's would have worn stockings with their inverted-triangle collared dresses, but bare legs combined with glitter-dipped booties and T-barplatforms lended a more contemporary feel to the looks.  For the evening, the same prints were highlighted and picked out with sequins, as mink stoles swathed the shoulders of some and twisted around the hips of others.  The models carried bags that resembled blown-up coin purses and utilitarian envelope clutches. Channel this 40's Post-War look by wearing tea-dresses, knee-lenght wool skirt-suits, and ankle-socks with mid-high heels...And add a coiffed Victory Roll 'do and a slick of red lipstick and play your part in women's patriotic duty! 


* Precious Metals- Where fashion designers go, we will follow and this A/W, they've decided it's time for us to shine! Not for the faint at heart, the appeal behind this metallic trend lies in the mirror-like materials' ability to reflect light in the most flattering manner and put the spot-light on curves. Eye-catching and feminine, sequins and metallics add a sparkly, splash of flair to any ensemble, dressing up everyday silhouettes, such as dresses, tanks, straight-leg pants and the famous statement jacket. 


The secret to stealing the show in notice-me-now metallics is in the selection of garments made from good-quality fabrics, with flattering cuts and subtle palettes. Nobody wants to to appear as if they are wearing a skirt constructed from left-over aluminium-foil and there's little worse than shine in the wrong place to accentuate bumps and bulges...so choose colour and texture wisely. Instead go for gold and indulge by wearing brushed satins, lames and sequins, with metallic pieces that serve-up the perfect blend of luxe glamour. 


* 60'S Mod Squad- Carnaby Street, The Beatles, Mary Quant... this season saw designer collections venture back in time to the 60's for inspiration. And seeing the short-hemlines and long legs reminiscent of Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton come down the runway, it's not hard to understand why the head designers at the likes of Prada looked to these icons for an updated take on the 60's Mod. 


So begin back-combing your hair and pull on your tiniest mini because thee is no better time to inject even more of the popular 60'd vibe into your wardrobe


* Spotty Service- Polka Dots..yes that's right, the pattern we have loved, hated and loved again, is back with a vengeance this season as one of the biggest trends this A/W. The dotty pattern appears on everything from cocktail dresses to shoes and accessories, making every every outfit look playful, sophisticated and chic. The best thing about this trend is its versatility and there was nothing tired or done about the way designers showed their spots again this time around. Stella McCartney made her point wit girlie, sequin discs embroidered onto peek-a-boo mesh, while David Koma used his spots to create womanly curves on his body-con dresses. And with polka-dots showing up in all markets  and in am array of styles, colours and sizes-  the possibilities of how to mix and match them are endless. Marc Jacobs, in true dedication to the Dalmatian cause, exemplified the versatility of the pattern, covering everything from hats to hosiery in his collection, with dots...even his pleather upholstered runway!