I Will Always Love You – RIP POD

It is a very lucky thing when you find a  place that is truly your own; somewhere familiar, comfortable, fun and full of adventure & mischief. For a full on decade (gulp, old much!), the Pod was my spiritual home, guiding me through my teens and early 20′s, opening me up to every kind of music, meeting all kinds of everyone – some of whom have become my closest friends – and generally shaping the person I am today.

photo by the very talented Johnny McMillan before he was famous

I am deeply saddened by its sudden closure last weekend, without even so much as a massive blowout night. It marks the end of a massive chapter of my life. On a less selfish note, it marks the passing of a cluster of venues run by people who always stood by their musical ideals, who maintained integrity and quality of acts at all times. They brought really really really good music to Dublin. They also supported local talent, enabling local promoters, bands, producers and djs to put on some of the best nights Dublin has ever seen.

One small silver lining is that the Pod’s love child, Bodytonic, is still going strong, keeping Dublin awesome. And I have been assured by the powers that be that Pod will still be running gigs, just not in the Pod complex…And so, in a final personal tribute to possibly the most influential place I have ever spent time in, here is a small history of the Pod, according to me:

3 Tracks that defined the Pod

1) Hollertronix – Call Me Al

This track forever reminds me of POGO, run by Bodytonic, and Nic James, the lobby bar dj who was and still is one of my favourite djs of all time ever. And he’s a real nice lad to boot. Also, this track is a bitch to find, it’s all white label and jazz, hence the lack o song :/ Although I do have the vinyl. Even if it’s not much use to you, and really it’s just a bit of a brag.

2)  The Libertines – Can’t Stand Me Now

This track reminds me of my friend Carol, who brought me to one of the first ever Antics, where I ended up djing and messing for several years. It was, literally, one of the funnest times of my life, and it’s weird still meeting people now for whom Antics was their first club experience and how it has in some ways shaped them.

3) The Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams

At the start of the electro craze I used to play the Jacques le Cont version, mixed with Soulwax’s NY Excuse. They go real well together. People used to go ape, and that is one of the best feelings in the world and is the reason I love djing.

4 Outfits that define the POD. Without pictures, for soon to be very obvious reasons

1) Grey low waisted skinny jeans, u neck tank top, massive elasticated waist belt, long slim knit cardi, teamed with slouchy boots.

This look was so 2007. I wore it religiously to nights like Backlash, which was briefly in the Pod, to Antics, to every gig I ever went to at that time. It was cool, relaxed, and handy for blending into the going to work brigade if you ended up at a party til all hours, which invariably is what we did every night. It’s actually funny how there used to be a stage that I decided what to wear out on the basis of what looked least ridiculous the next day on the rollover…Ah those were the days!

2) Denim skirt (usually homemade), 3/4 tights, bright gaudy tshirt, pumps

Denim skirts pretty much define Antics for me. It was the age of the indie cindy. What more can I say.

3) Day glo jeans, oversize Bonde do Role tshirt, bright yellow massive vintage embroidered jumper, converse

When Nu Rave kicked in, I jumped on board and took to wearing RAINBOW as my colour story. That Bonde do Role is one of my most favourite tshirts of all time ever – bought at a gig they played in Crawdaddy.

4) Disco Pants, oversize tshirt, pumps

Over the years, disco pants have become something of my dj uniform – they are comfy, but shiny enough to be a bit fancy and the baggy tshirt thing is probably a learned behaviour from all the boys that I dj with (two of my favourites pictured above – but shhhh don’t tell them it’l go to their heads)!

me, circa 2008ish. the STYLE.

10 Best Gigs

This is really difficult because I have been to SO MANY and I almost forget what I have seen!

1) LCD Soundsystem, Tripod – twice

2) Jurassic 5, Redbox

3) Switch, POD – this was literally one of the most mental nights of my life

4) Bonde do Role, Crawdaddy

5) Booka Shade, Tripod

6) The Kills, Tripod

7) Lykke Li, Tripod

8) Rahzel, Redbox

9) Chromeo, Tripod

10) Little Man Tate, Crawdaddy

3 Reasons it’s going to be FINE

1) Bodytonic

2) Emergence – another gang of good lads who cut their teeth in the pod

3) Stenaline – rail & sail from like 30blips. just sayin’.*

Oh, and Whitney died last weekend too. That was sad. May they both rest in peace.

link

*lol jk Dublin you’re deadly really.

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.

Forevz and evz

On Thursday I popped in to the Forever 21 press morning for a little gander at their Autumn Winter offering. As per usual they had a lovely warm welcome ready for everyone, alongside the finest pieces of the forthcoming season. Stores like Forever 21 really need to tick all the boxes in terms of trends and directions, given that their target market is pretty huge and has such broad tastes, and this season was no exception. So like other high street retailers, they had their overall collection divided thematically, with ’70′s, vintage, preppy and mod being main themes F21 picked up on and developed into stories.

As it was really really busy full of the best and brightest of the Dublin fashion scene, I sort of spent half my time looking at the clothes on the rails and half the time looking at the clothes on the people there. I also managed to remember to bring my camera to a press event for the first time (win!) so I snapped a bit of both.  Interestingly, I noted that the way the crowd were dressed reflected the themes on the hangars. Not bad considering those in attendance were some of the most sartorially savvy fashion heads in Dublin.

Of course I forgot to snap all the things I liked, so you will have to trust me when I say that I really can’t wait to get my hands on the cut out denim shirt.

I liked how they had live mannequins interacting with people, the whole morning had the feeling of a salon, which is no mean feat for a mass mass retailer! The clothes themselves stood up to close scrutiny, not only on the hangers but also on the models walking around, looking great. One of the stylists didn’t realise they were models and was struck by how amazingly dressed, and tall, everyone was!

As a very generous thank you for coming along, the folks at Forever 21 gave us a bag to nab an accessory goody. I am, however, far too much of a goody two shoes, and only took one. So I shall be keeping it for myself – next time I promise I will get something to giveaway to you guys, promise!! But in fairness, with my penchant for rings, do you REALLY think I would give this baby away? It’s amaaaaaazing. I die!

dodgy iphone pic. i was so excited i tweeted straight away....

Forever 21 really have their accessories down. Every time I am in the stores or at an event like this, I find myself picking up things almost before I realise it, which is always a good thing. And you know the old saying, when in doubt, lash on a load of jewellery! No?

And to end off, a few sneaky pics of some of the other lovely bloggers I bumped into on Thursday morning. Good to see you girlies! x

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

 

 

Thread Launch

Mathematically speaking: Fashion (I love) + Party (I love) = (I love)(fashion + party)

Business people would call it synergy. I like to call it a real good time. Friday marked the launch of Thread magazine, a new quarterly fashion magazine. With Aisling Farinella at the helm, it was sure to be a great publication, and the Thread team did not disappoint. Concise yet loaded, the newsprint magazine features some of Ireland’s hottest talent. It was a party to celebrate a publication that exemplifies Irish fashion media at its most innovative, resourceful and exciting; and in keeping with their Friends theme, South Studios was full of friendly faces on Friday night.

I look forward to the next edition, and I can’t wait to see what they do next!

A couple of friendly snaps I took on the night (above), and the magazine itself….

 image via peterfingleton.blogspot.com

Be sure to snap up a copy (they are free!) in the amazing Indigo & Cloth, Bow or Costume before they are all gone!

Harder, Faster, Better, Stronger.

Better Fashion week is happening next week, and I am raging that I will have to miss the talks, as they are sure to be incredible. However, if you are around Dublin, I highly recommend that you try to get to at least one of the events. Taking part are a bunch of really successful Irish designers, such as Una Burke, Simone Rocha, Eilis Boyle, Joanne Hynes, as well as Ireland’s leading stylists, photographers, editors, journalists, PR’s and more. All spearheaded by the indomitable force that is Redress, who are a truly wonderful organisation spearheading the charge for sustainable fashion in Ireland.

I cannot stress how good this is going to be, so if you are around, seriously, GO! You will thank me. I promise you. Fast fashion is something we all need to address, and we need to start taking responsibility for our behaviour and buying patterns. These guys will show you that making better choices can be just as fun and rewarding as binging on throwaway garments.

Tickets and more information available from their website, here.

Una Burke

Una Burke

Eilis Boyle

Simone Rocha