WEAR IT
These Slim Jym Pjs (€40, The Bright Company at younghearts.ie) are ethically made from super-soft cotton jersey and designed specifically not to “ride up” at night leaving cold patches. The best bit? There’s a matching set for Mum. DMcM
STYLE SECRET
"I used to think shirts were the only way to feel smart, but now I love a crew neck T-shirt tucked into dress trousers with brogues. It's formal but fashionable, sleek but not stuffy, and I always feel more comfortable this way. A modern way to look sharp." Pip McCormac, associate editor of Red.
STEAL VS SPLURGE
This lace bell sleeve blouse for €49.95, from H&M, is classic black with a twist, while this Elie Tahari Calista lace blouse for €352.83, from Nordstrom, is a Champagne reception. DMcM
VELVET REVOLUTION
Velvet is currently having its moment in the limelight and there is no more luxuriant fabric for winter evenings – for the way in which it reflects and deflects light and shadow.
Revivals of interest recur regularly; in the 1940s ,bias cut velvet dresses were popular and, in the 1970s, skintight velvet suit were a hit.
This season, velvet boots may not cut it on wet city streets, but have their own look of luxury nonetheless.
These navy velvet ankle boots from Parfois (€39.99) are both comfortable and stylish.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
This cute little smocked navy dress (€60), made in Madagascar, is from a new Dublin-based Irish label called Little Larks, selling classic stylish clothes in high-quality fabrics designed to stand the test of time.
They are aimed at babies and girls up to the age of eight, though there are plans to add a boyswear range next summer.
Little Larks was founded last year by sisters-in-law Caroline Dunne and Leigh Hamilton, the former a childrenswear buyer for a large Irish retailer, the latter a Dublin barrister and former tech entrepreneur.
Between them, they have five daughters from the age of two to nine. To drive their online store – littlelarksclothing.com – they have used successful pop-up shops in the Swan Centre in Rathmines, Top Drawer in Mount Merrion and more seasonal pop-ups are planned.
One will take place tomorrow in Clontarf Castle; another in Top Drawer on November 25th, 26th and 27th and one in Boys & Girls, Bloomfield Avenue, Dublin 8 on Saturday, December 3 – all from 10am to 6pm. DMcQ
HAVANA BOUTIQUE
Nikki Creedon’s Havana boutique in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, is well known for labels such as Simone Rocha – which she stocks exclusively in Ireland – Ann Demeulemeester, Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens and many other top international names, along with Irish knitwear from Lucy Downes, Sian Jacobs and leathers and furs from Róisín Gartland.
This season, however, she has introduced some unusual pieces from Julia Paskal, a young Ukrainian designer and LVMH winner known for her folksy, but modern, laser cut silhouettes, whose collection Creedon spotted in the Paris cult boutique Colette last spring.
Standout pieces include laser cut black coats (€650-€800), transparent polka dot tops (€225) and dresses in red and black polka dots (from €750).
The cut and playful detail of these pieces reflect the designer’s background in architecture and engineering.
She's one of the first fashion designers to export from Ukraine and is attracting top retailers such as Dover Street Market in London and Luisa Via Roma in Florence. DMcQ
