IN THE PINK: Carlingford, Co Louth and Cabinteely, Co Dublin may seem like unlikely locations for shops selling sexy lingerie and frou frou marabou mules, but owners Sarah Meaney and Sarah Jane Connolly know that beautiful and unusual lingerie and shoe collections don't necessarily have to be located in city centres to sell well.
Their two Pink Rooms, which opened simultaneously last October, are home to all sorts of saucy temptations including a very theatrical range of French lingerie called Fifi Chachnil (right). The designer, who is based in Paris, makes everything by hand in her studio, and has just launched her own fragrance. The Pink Rooms have also introduced two new shoe collections - a line of red-carpet sandals from Patrick Cox, and a bridal collection in white, platinum and gold by Jane Brown, who has won awards for her lasts and shoe-making techniques. "Her shoes lengthen the foot and elongate the leg," says Sarah Meaney. They are made in the same factory in Venice used by Jimmy Choo. Prices are around €360.
HOLD IT: The latest must-have accessory is a bag holder that Oshun in Castle Gate is importing exclusively from the US. Handmade and hand enamelled with Swarovski crystal decoration, the designs are drawn from Art Deco and Art Nouveau motifs, stamped onto a metal base plate or pewter alloy. The crystal effects are applied by hand. The mould is handpainted and finished with a protective lacquer. It can take any weight of bag; you just place the disc on the edge of a counter or table and suspend the bag from its metal arm. Simple, stylish and beautiful, they cost €38 each from Oshun, 1 Castle Gate, Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2.
PARIS IN THE SPRING: Donald Brennan and Niall Tyrell of Oakes were among the Irish newcomers who exhibited in Paris recently. Not far away, in a very stylish little shop in the rue de la Paix called Amin Kader, the beautiful sweaters from the Inis Meáin knitwear company on the Aran Islands were artfully displayed under a frame of twigs and greenery. Inis Meáin's latest collection goes right back to its roots, with original Aran sweaters refashioned in luxurious cashmere for the US, French and Japanese markets. New designs included twinsets in bright blue, with painted buttons, and tabard-style cable stitched knits that can be worn open or closed. Other Irish exhibitors in Paris included Leigh Tucker with her LeighLee collection, Antonia Campbell Hughes and Lucy Downes.
