STYLE SECRET
“I took a long time to adopt the concept of wearing dresses as I never knew where to start. A few basic things make it easier. For example, how fit and flare dresses are something any body shape can wear, or how having the most basic LBD paired with colour popping accessories will be the fastest go-to party look you could ever put together.”
Model and blogger Louise O’Reilly
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ADDING THE SILK TOUCH
Designer Helen McAlinden, marking 15 years since she founded her label, cites celebrated US designer Clare McCardell from the 40s as the inspiration for her summer collection. This navy and white striped skirt (€750) and bandeau top in silk makes a bold impact though McCardell was known for using cotton shirting for evening wear and silk for playsuits while her famous inexpensive “popover” dress became her signature. Other items from McAlinden’s collection include a faux suede skirt with front tie and a V-neck version of the popover dress. Helen McAlinden, 22 South William Street, Dublin; helenmcalinden.ie
STEAL VS SPLURGE
Feel flighty with this Etre Cecile Red Flamingo Stripe T-Shirt for €115 or get in a flap over this Flamingo T for €25.35 from Asos
PLAY IT COOL
These elaborately hand-printed culottes are by talented NCAD graduate Aideen Gaynor whose collection called Hard Boiled Wonderland (after Haruki Marakami) won this year’s Designer to Watch competition by Brown Thomas. The daughter of scenic artist Neville Gaynor and passionate about “making”, she gained experience making corsets for the extras in Penny Dreadful during her student years and the workmanship in her collection – quilting, printing and boning – are based on Victorian corsetry techniques but using neoprene, silk and satin. The whole collection goes on sale in Brown Thomas as part of Create (see feature on page 20) this month.
TOP TRUMPS
The Westin is upping the ante having just appointed Laura Kinsella as its in-house milliner available to brides and their wedding parties. The LSAD graduate has created an exclusive headpiece constructed in her signature wirework frame wrapped with silk thread, now on display in the foyer. It also highlights the hotel’s Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea with cakes and pastries
WEAR IT
This animal embroidered Gucci dress costs about the same as a decent second-hand car. That makes us love it all the more – €5,980 at brownsfashion.com
