Denim Rules

Jean shopping sends me into a cold sweat. Despite denim being a fashion perennial, the fear of the dressing room torture it can induce has left me jean-less for the last age. What is it about denim that just taunts all the little lumps and bumps where every other fabric is kind enough to ignore?

image via jakandjil.com

Luckily for me though, style guru Brendan Courtney has laid out some denim rules. The skinny, if you will… They go as follows:

1.    Identify the parts of your body you want to disguise and the part you want to emphasize.

2.    Apple & hour glass go for high waist, pear & ruler try mid waist first. Hipsters only for skinny bitches!

3.    Start with a little stretch; try find denim with a little give

4.    If tummy and back fat is your issue, look for jeans with tummy support and avoid hipsters and remember the phrase “muffin tops” didn’t invent itself!

5.    If you choose a bootcut, make sure they cover your shoes, which will add length to your legs.

6.    If your hips and thighs are driving you mad, avoid bootcut and try a wide leg that skims the hips. 70s flares disguise a multitude!

7.    Everyone and anyone should try a skinny jean! They make every leg look slimmer. If skeptical, start with a jegging to break you in and remember, it’s about what you put on your top half and on your feet.

8.    The colour is crucial - the classic indigo shade is always the best place to start and is much easier to smarten up.   Over 35s avoid stone washed, you’ll risk entering the land of trying a little too hard…population: YOU!

9.    With back pockets, remember the jingle: big on small bum, small on a big bum.

10.  Final word of wisdom: TRY THEM ON – always try them on. Often, the tiniest detail can support and love your bits all the right places!

image via streetpeeper

If that isn’t enough, Brendan is going to be part of the Fashion Movement at the Jervis Centre, with a team of experts dishing out advice on the perfect jeans fit at the Jeanius-Jeans Style Station, running every weekend until the 10th September. The service is free, so more money for those dream denims! And by the look of the last outfit post I did on denim, I think I am going to need a looooonnnggg consultation with Mr. Courtney!!

me, in denim.....

Fair Frocks

Last night, while attempting to get through some of the hundreds of “I’ll get to you later” mails, I came across a very worthy endeavour from Asos. A while back I did a little piece on Suno, and how they are bringing Fashion to the fore when it comes to ethical and sustainable clothing. Well, the Out of Africa collection from Asos reminds me more than a little bit of their high end counterpart, if not because they are both produced in Kenya, in workshops focusing on sustainability within the community and the environment. Using traditional African-looking prints and weaves, the online highstreet behemoth has created a line that is as fashionable as it is ethical. I really dig these printed trousers – the print reminds me of Suno’s collection.

As if the fact that these threads are bang on trend wasn’t enough to get you interested, to ease your consumption guilt a little bit – Asos are pledging to donate £5 from each sale, and then matching each with another £5 to the workshop that produces that garments to assist with the ongoing  development of a sustainable and long term solution to the economic problems in the Kenyan community. Can’t say fairer than that!

Asos Africa

Asos Africa

Check the range HERE

Giveaway Giveaway!!!

Don’t forget to show the love over on Facebook by liking the Noisy Shoes Page to be in with a chance of winning a delicious Forever 21 voucher to spend on whatever you like. If I was keeping it for myself I would be buying this lil baby, which is now on sale for the handy price of 21eu!

Forever 21

Cozy up beside me

Autumn is here, much to my dismay. I am cheering myself up by pondering winter coats. Those that know me will know that I have a teeeeensie coat obsession…to the tune of twenty-odd of the things. Still though, I think I can justify perhaps a fresh one this season. Well, you know, fresh city, it just seems fair!

Giles AW11

Chloe AW11

Giles and Chloe rocking Gestapo chic, DELISH

So this is what I have been thinking….I am in the mood for something functional yet stylish, something that screams – I AM A DESIGNER, living in LONDON. haha. Seriously though, I’m only half joking. I want an oversize, anti-fashion, functional thing. I really like when garments go beyond fashion to become pure design, the beauty is in the simplicity, the lack of superfluous embellishment. A pocket where you need a pocket, just the right amount of warmth, a neutral colour that works with everything, the works.  As much as it is boringly on trend, I am really crushing on Barbour at the moment, if just from a quality perspective. The high street is flooded with imitators, but only the original is as warm as it is stylish….I just can’t decide which one I want more!

 

Barbour Beadnell

Barbour xLiberty Beadnell

Barbour National Trials

 

 

Living in Dublin, London, anywhwere similar,  means that for basically half the year, the most important garment you have is your coat. Because you need to wear one almost all the time. The most well thought out outfits have come undone by forgetting to incorporate the coat. And given that I am the whatever-is-closest-and-cleanest kind of dresser, getting a coat that says the right thing without having to figure out in-depth outfit plans is a major bonus.

 

Simone Rocha AW11

Celine AW11

 

Antonio Berardi AW11

Philip Lim AW11

Alexander Wang AW11

Contrasting textures & colours for added interest

I have been on the hunt for the perfect parka for roughly two years now. I have had terrible luck, because I didn’t want to pay loads of money, because in my head a parka is a casual thing, and casual things should be cheeep. But the high street ones are useless quality, flimsy and just not even worth the more reasonable price tags. Furthermore, the shape needs to be just right, long enough but not too long, utilitarian, just the right amount of oversize and straight.

Turns out I have been a FOOL, because I have found a bucketload of them on the interweb from army surplus style sites. Why I didn’t head straight there is beyond me, but now all I have to do is decide which of these babies is just right.

Aquascutum AW11

Dress Monster via Asos

Won Hundred

Swedish Military Parka

Or maybe a Duffel Coat? Maybe?

Burberry AW11

Christopher Raeburn via Brownsfashion.com

Barbour

 

I LOVE this colour!

Celine AW11

and the highstreet version…

Topshop

 

And finally, it’s not practical, nor affordable, but if someone wants to buy me this, I’ll love you forever…

Alexander Wang AW11

 

At the Atelier

So, my news….

I am proud to announce that my degree collection is now available in Atelier 27, Om Diva, Drury Street. I have a STOCKIST!!! Which means I guess I’m a real designer now? The whole thing is a bit surreal, I am still getting used to the idea. Hopefully there will be some interest in it, otherwise there will be serious egg on my face… For those of you that missed it, my collection is a range of romantic, flowing silk dresses and strong, cropped leather tops, all with custom prints. My muse for this collection was the Disco Warrior, and it embodies a strong, romantic, free spirited and feminine woman. The pieces are a play on hard and soft, of revealing, concealing and protecting the body. Using long sheaths of transparent silk, the body is covered but revealed, using leather is reminiscent of armour and strength, hinting at an inner strength.

I am also currently working on a more ready-to-wear range using some of my prints from the year, if frocks are not your thing. So stay tuned, hopefully simultaneously working full time retail and designing a range won’t kill me….I mean, sleep is so overrated anyway…..

And if you can, drop into Om Diva to check out all the designers they have in the Atelier, there is a wealth of young Irish talent on display. Ruth, Om Diva’s owner, has a wonderful sense of the times, giving the new breed with a bit of get up and go a place to showcase their work – and hopefully sell some of it. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, these dark times have thrown up some really great opportunities for those who are willing to put themselves out there, and people like Ruth and Om Diva are instrumental is making Dublin an exciting place to be. Long may it last, and hopefully when get out of the doldrums, these brave people will flourish. One of my favourite stable mates is Capulet & Montague, a jewellery line, pictured with my dress below.

And I know I put this up before, but here are a few images from the lookbook, featuring the stunning Sharon Love at First Options. Get in touch if you have any queries, of if you like what you see, or if you want to use the garments for shoots. It’s noisyshoesblog[at]gmail.com.

a riot of a time…

Ten days since my last post. I’m very bold. I have been working, so I apologise, but I have a decent excuse. I also have some VERY EXCITING news that I can’t wait to share with everyone, but more on that when things are finalised. In the meantime, let’s talk about London. Last weekend I went to london. It was a riot…..Too soon?

Anyway, the purpose of my visit was not to procure tellys and tracksuits, but rather to catch up with all my friends who have sought greener pastures, have a blast a Field Day, and…actually that was all that was on the agenda this time. Seeing as I shall be living there in just over a month I didn’t feel much pressure to try and squeeze too much in.

*Side note* HOW AWESOME are days off? I have been doing far too much recently, and last weekend was literally the first time I had joined-up time off with friends who also had joined-up time off. A revelation I tells ya.

Field Day was predictably great. Although much, much busier than anticipated, which involved lots of queuing, which was less than fun. But Glasser, James Blake, Sbtrkt, Wild Beasts, Mount Kimbie, Warpaint and Benga more than made up for it. I highly suggest that you check all of the about out, as they are all unreal. I missed Creep, but it’s OK! They are playing this Saturday in Crawdaddy, and my fav lil bro from another ho is supporting them with his band White Collar Boy. Stall down if you are sound and like music.

So, I guess this is a bit of a mashup of a post, with lots of small points, but no real “message”.

Point 1: London/Field Day/Friends are predictably awesome.

Point 2: Creep & White Collar Boy are playing in Crawdaddy this Saturday (tomorrow), so you should go to that.

Point 3: I have exciting news, so you should stay tuned in the coming days.

Point 4: Listen to the above-mentioned bands at your leisure to please your ears.

Point 5: Queuing for things, while very British, is a right pain.

Here’s me, doing my best festival wear impression.

Dress: Thrifted, Lace cycling shorts: American Apparel, Jacket: Reality Studio, Boots: Topshop, Stupid face: stylist’s own.

 

Oh, also, don’t forget about my giveaway – nab yourself a Forever 21 voucher simply by LIKING my facebook page. EASY.

 

Top 2 photographs are mine, bottom one thanks to a stranger, and middle two thanks to Christine. xxx

Giveaway time!

It’s about time I did a giveaway. The folks at Forever 21 have very kindly given me a lovely voucher, so I have decided to give it to YOU!! To be in with a chance for some free shopping, all you have to do is head over to Facebook and LIKE the Noisy Shoes page, and at the end of the month one lucky liker will bag it. Easy Peasy!

x

The Manley Interview

I came across Emma Manley’s designs when a make-up artist friend of mine posted images on facebook of a shoot she had recently done. I was immediately struck by the beautiful, confident simplicity and construction of the garments, and assumed it had been done in London. Shame on me though, as Emma is Irish and working in Dublin. Being the busybody that I am, I got in touch with her to talk about Manley, her brand, and how she finds running a fashion label in Dublin.

Emma Manley A/W 12

JK: What’s the best thing about running your brand from Ireland?

EM: The constant support I get from family and friends who are always there urging me on. Working alone can be somewhat lonely and its pretty hard to be 100% enthused at all times, so having that support system really helps me to keep in top form and pushing Manley forward.

Emma Manley A/W 12

JK: And the biggest challenge?

EM: I suppose right now it’s the current economic climate. With the limited spending power out there it’s pretty evident that most start up’s wont survive. I suppose its a case of only the strongest will survive and I hope I can make the grade.

Emma Manley A/W 12

JK: What is your favourite part of the design process?

EM: Whats nice about the design process is that no process lasts for very long. Your researching, designing, then you’re sampling and finally you’re in production and all of a sudden the process needs to start all over again. It’s quite a controlled operation for something so creative! I’m never in one process long enough to grow board of it. Right now my favourite part is the embellishment work. I suppose it’s also the most gratifying part for me too. Studding work is a pretty tedious and time consuming task but I love how it transforms the garment and gives it attitude.

Emma Manley A/W 12

And we love the results! There is a confidence in the garments and their design that hints at great things for this young lady. Manley herself tells me that it’s an exciting time for the brand, and while she won’t be pinned down to specifics, I am more than happy to stay tuned to find out. Manley is currently available in Bow Boutique, Powerscourt Townhouse, a wonderful store run by another brave and incredibly talented Irish-based designer, Eilis Boyle.

Emma Manley A/W 12

And in case you were wondering, Emma is currently listening to Joanna Newsom, Goldfrapp’s Seventh Tree, Fight Like Apes and Villagers. Great taste all round then.

Emma Manley A/W 12

All images courtesy of Manley

like her on Facebook here

No. 27

It has been a busy week. I have been djing, working, blogging, designing and going to the opening of envelopes all over the city. And why I say this with my tongue firmly in my cheek, I did go to a summer party for a lovely little shop called No. 27 South William Street. A pop up collaboration between the great minds of Indigo & Cloth, A New Space and Industry, the month long store has set up home above where Indigo & Cloth permanently resides. I dropped in for a cheeky beer and a chat with the guys.

Since the store opened I have been a (very broke) fan of Indigo & Cloth. The store’s owner Gareth Pitcher has razor sharp eye for good design, building up tight collections for both men and women. The words Independent Boutique are bandied about a lot, but I suppose this is the Irish media’s way of separating this boutique from the other, less visionary, less design focused and less deadly boutiques out there. And as a sign of someone who is not only talented but lovely, Gareth is just as sound and enthusiastic about what he does to us broke feckers coming in and not buying anything time after time.

Furthermore, Anewspace, with its effervescent Jon, had a wonderful store in Chatham Street around Christmas, full of delicious art books, prints, tshirts and scarves that was a present (to myself) haven. As it was slightly in my price range, there were a few things I meant to buy but never got around to…note to self: stop spending ALL your Christmas money on shoes….

 

Anyway, joining forces with furniture design store Industry*, the three have created a great little space in the front room of 27 South William street. Last Friday they had a few summer drinks, and it was a real friends and family buzz, with New York style sitting on the stoop, having the chats.  The guys behind the venture were the perfect hosts, making sure everyone had enough sauce, and making time to chat to everyone. I nabbed them to talk about some of the pieces in the store, which led on to talking about the fashion and boutique landscape in general. Apologies to Jon & Gareth, but I do love a natter!!

 

It’s an interesting perspective being a big fish in a small pond, and that’s exactly what Indigo & Cloth is. This is no bad thing however, as it stands up with any boutique I’ve ever visited in New York, Paris or London. The only difference is that there are masses of boutiques and buyers in these big cities, meaning that the small pond offers more editorial styling and extra-curricular activities than those chasing the dream in the larger ones.

While Dublin is far from perfect (sometimes frustratingly so), there is really a buzz in the air at the moment that things are possible that weren’t even a couple of years ago. Things seem achievable, in the sense that talent and hard work might actually pay off. Noone wants anything for nothing, just the chance to be able to set up shop or studio and do their best to make it. Things aren’t easy, and we might not make millions, but if we have a product to be proud of, then as Pitcher said, if we can have the nice beans on our toast, then we’re doing well. I couldn’t agree more.

The standout pieces in the store for me were the Matt & Nat bags, which are at first great design, and then you find out they are made from recycled plastic bottles and that the whole design ethos is totally environmental and ethical. Sustainability should always look this good.

Then there were a few screen printed tshirts from the legendary Obey label, and a few other carefully selected lines, perfect for boy presents (or oversize tshirts for yourself). There is nothing more refreshing than seeing a tshirt design that is really well thought out, that you can guarantee will not be on every second lad for the next three months. Well, actually, there are loads of more refreshing things than that, I was being pretty hyperbolic there, but it is nice, and these shirts are really nice.

 

* I have to admit to never having been into Industry. But I checked them out on the interweb and they have had some great write ups and their own site is slick and well designed. I will go soon.