Better Fashion Week 2012

Better Fashion Week 2012

If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. Or at least better. Better Fashion Week is the kind of fashion initiative that restores your faith that there is a change coming for the, eh, better within the (Irish) fashion industry.

I firmly believe that ethical fashion is the future. Not in the hippyish, hemp clothes gross way, but in a more informed and best practice kind of way. When done right, ethical fashion isn’t preachy, it merely highlights ways to do things better, and showcases local producers. The 5^th annual Better Fashion Week will take place at No. 6 Castle Market Street Dublin 2 from the 23^rd  – 30^th April and will highlight the issue of sustainable fashion through a series of pop-up shops, exhibitions, installations, events and industry talks with fashion heavy weights like the incredible Artist/Designer Helen Steele*, and ethical fashion writers Tasmin Lejeune and Dr. Kate Fletcher taking part. The Castle Market street space will also have a pop up shop featuring the ethical-but-you-wouldn’t-know-by-looking-at-it work of Emma Manley, Sinead Doyle, Lisa Shawgi, Red Dog (Shop) and The Irish Design Shop, among others. It is the kind of event that any fashionista with even a quarter of a brain or indeed a heart needs to attend.

As an incentive, I have a pair of VIP tickets to give away to one lucky reader so you and your mate can head along and hear what the fashion pioneers have to say for themselves. All you have to do is send me an email – noisyshoesblog[at]gmail.com – and tell me what you are most looking forward to on the lineup, EASY! I’ll announce the winner on the 20th here on the blog.

Check out the www.betterfashionweek.com website and the facebook.com/redressbetterfashion page for more information and to pick up tickets to all the events. Do it now!!!! Or I’ll be cross! And here’s a lil peek at what I mean by good ethical fashion…..

Manley A/W 11

Manley A/W 11

Helen Steele SS12

i cannot express how much i want this outfit.

Helen Steele SS12

and this one

*I am embarrassed that I didn’t really know about Helen Steele til now, expect many more posts on how amazing she is in the near future.

Sunday Funday #6.5

Following on from yesterday’s Sunday Funday I have one more addition, that warrants its own post – the Style Swap hosted by the lovely Lisa Lu in The Grand Social yesterday evening. Clothes were swapped, and stylist extraordinaire Lisa was on hand to talk style with those experiencing sartorial mental blocks, which happens the best of us every so often.

Lisa invited me down to show off some of my work at the event, giving me the perfect deadline to finish off some new pieces. I managed to get them done with about 5 minutes to spare (we’re talking Project Runway style last minute panic sewing here) and legged it down to the Grand Social to showcase them along with other designers such as my Om Diva stablemates Tokiki, Aliquo and the lovely crew from Horse & June. It’s still such a strange feeling showing my work to strangers, but I overheard one girl saying really nice things about the new pieces, so that makes it totally worth it!

I actually think I might keep this first dress for myself, I tried it on and I actually really like it! I suppose I should really like everything I make, in a if-you-don’t-love-yourself-who-will sort of a way, but still. This one I might wear. We’ll see.

tasty treats

 

Aliquo Jewellery

 

I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but it’s events like these that make Dublin great, and I really feel like more people should take part in them, as they are fun, free and offer something a bit different. If I hear one more person moaning about how there is nothing going on and then they sit at home on their bums watching crappy tv while fun evenings like this ARE going on, well, I probably won’t do much, but I will quietly think less of the moaner. So there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dublin Fashion Festival is upon us…

Dublin Fashion Festival, our answer to Fashion’s Night Out, launches tomorrow, Thursday 8th September and runs to Sunday 11th September. Which is the worldwide Fashion’s Night Out, so I guess it’s appropriate, and definitely nothing to do with coat-tails. Organised by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Festival offers, well, offers and discounts for all to enjoy some retail therapy in perfect time for Autumn/Winter. And as we all know, the only way to get out of a recession is to spend your way out of it (I did economics in college. No, really) so what better way to get people back in the shops than by adding a bit of fun and atmosphere to shopping and the city in general. Anyone who knows me will attest to my love of all things involving the words fun, party and clothes, so I am certainly signed up to this!

Maison Martin Margiela AW11

20% off Margiela is…still not gonna happen, is it…sigh

Stylist, tv presenter and general Irish Fashion Legend Sonya Lenon is the official Face of the Festival, and will be on hand throughout hosting fashion shows, makeover sessions and lots of other sartorial insight in the Festival HQ, the old Waterstones building. Everyone is invited to pop in and enjoy the events and the space for the duration, for a bit of inspiration between hitting the shops.

Kimberly Ovitz AW11

She looks great, I would look like crazy bag lady. No fair

Festivities will kick off on Thursday, 8^th September with a day entitled ‘Street Style/Urban Chic’. The day will feature three fashion shows at 1.15pm, 6.30pm and 7.45pm, which will showcase autumn/winter collections from top Dublin stores to demonstrate how to nail the slick city look, no matter what your style.

Antonio Berardi AW11

Part Joan of Arc, part grunge. LOVE.

Friday at the Dublin Fashion Festival will be all about taking advantage of the wealth of fashion knowledge on hand at festival HQ. Whether you want to complete your look with a killer up-style, take the plunge into the world of red lips or get to grips with taking your look from day to night, festival HQ is the place to be. With industry experts from the world of fashion, hair and make-up, equipped with insider knowledge, Friday’s HQ will become a style school for one and all. Joining the ranks of this team of fashion gurus, Sonya Lennon will host a makeover master class to show people how to take your look from drab to fab, in a few easy steps.

Helmut Lang

Oh Helmut. 

Saturday will focus on ‘Fast Fashion’ and will applaud all that is great about fashion’s ability to keep us excited and interested, with constantly evolving styles, new innovations and revivals from years gone by. With three shows happening throughout the day, this is a spectacle that will inspire and delight, and get you thinking about how you can take the next season’s looks from the catwalk to your wardrobe.

Felder Felder AW11

Swoon. That is all.

 Now, if someone could please get me loads of cash so I can do some shopping of my own, that would be super, thanks.

**PS: This post is also subliminally about black on black, maxis and grunge. Which are are high on the list of my Autumn Winter must-wear list.

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.

Film Fatale

Like classic films? Like taking fashion inspiration from classic films? Then you will like Film Fatale.

The brain child of The Screen Cinema’s Anna Taylor, Film Fatale is a monthly club showing classic films in a fun way; with booze, dancing and dress up. Held in the Sugar Club, attendees are encouraged to pay homage to the characters and style of the films, by coming dressed in vintage-inspired wear. The August installment is Roman Holiday, with the iconic Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, immaculately dressed by the legendary Edith Head, who won an Oscar for her efforts.

 

If that wasn’t reason enough to get you out of the house, after the screening is a themed after-party, with the Film Fatale resident dj’s playing music from the era with a summer twist, so you and your like-minded friends can dance the night away, dressed immaculately! The nights are always a roaring success, in part because the Fatale crew are genuinely enthusiastic about the nights they put on, and also because people really get into the spirit of things, dressing up and generally getting on board with the theme of the evening.

I could say that Dublin needs more of this kind of thing, but in fact all it needs is more people to go to the things that are already on. People like Taylor are doing their best to bring something different to Dublin’s nightlife, but they can only do so if people show up on the night. So if you like fashion, fun and classic film, make sure you are at the Sugar Club on Saturday 6th August!

Tickets €15 are available at www.tickets.ie from 6th July.
Doors open at 8pm
After-party from 11pm with tickets at the door (€5).

For more info and pics from previous nights, check out Film Fatale on Facebook.

images via doctormacro.com, lurlynncrochet.blogspot.com, www.fabaudrey.com, acertaincinema.com

 

 

Boo!!

I recently mentioned to keep your eyes peeled for another Rummage Sale, and so here it is…..

Next Thursday (28th April), there will be a Noisy Shoes Rummage Sale as part of the Not Saying Boo Presents The Beatyard Launch. Phew, that’s lots of brands in one sentence! Shall we break that down to bitesized pieces? Lets.

1. Not Saying Boo (n.)

Club night extrodinaire, known for hosting great parties in various venues on a sort-of monthly basis. Check them here.

Image via Not Saying Boo!

2. Beatyard Weekender

A truly fresh approach to entertainment in Dublin, run by the wunderkids at Bodytonic. Here’s how they describe Beatyard on their website:

“The aim of The Beatyard Weekender is to bring together enthusiasts of music, media & culture where they can meet like minded people and (we hope) discover something new. Furthermore our goal is to mesh, into the one weekend, almost everything about which we’re passionate, and have been hosting at both the Bernard Shaw and the Twisted Pepper over the last two & a half years”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. This year’s line up includes Beardyman, Modeselektor, and shitloads of Dublin’s finest talents taking to the decks. On Thursday in the Shaw, along with the Mini Mall, there will be film screenings and live visuals to compliment the aural delights and deadly drink promos!

3. Noisy Shoes Rummage Sale

I am delighted to be taking part in the Beatyard Mini Mall in the Shaw, along with the amazing 9 Crow Street, Fanci Schmancy Vintage, Golly Gosh and uberbloggers Glamrocks Luna. Talk about feeling like a total minnow!!! Ha! Expect my rails to be filled with fun, new-to-you, well cared for bargains (I give you nice price!). I’ll post some pics next week of stuff to expect. If any of the other Rummage sales I have done are anything to go by, it will be a lot of fun, and you’ll find something you like!

So, next Thursday. In the Shaw. From 6. Did I mention there’s an after party? See you there! xx