Deirdre McQuillan's style file
JEWELS FOR MEN: Apart from looking good, there's a practical element to Pilgrim's debut collection of jewellery for men, such as neck chains designed to hold car keys, mobiles, crosses or other items. Unlike the women's jewellery, there's very little colour in these mostly black and silver pieces, except for red star motifs here and there. The clean lines, and simple, masculine shapes won't appeal to the bling blingers, but given that women are often the main purchasers of men's jewellery, there is much to choose from in a range that also includes bracelets, cufflinks and chains made in leather and/or oxidised silver plating.
PRINCESS DYE: Roz Murphy's gilded hand-blocked silks and velvets are potential heirlooms and up to now have been on sale in Brown Thomas and Rococo only. Murphy is a former interior designer who studied ceramic restoration in London for four years. She also studied gauffrage printing in Paris, with Sabina Fay Braxton, whose furnishing textiles adorn the Sultan of Brunei's apartments, the House of Dior, and those of other high-profile clients. Inspiration for the throws comes from Ottoman and oriental emperor's robes, hence the name of her company, Emperors Robes. She makes obi belts for Rococo, as well as bustiers, tops and dresses, mostly of taffeta and silk, and in luscious colours all imprinted with her motifs. Everything is made by hand in Murphy's studio off Dublin's South Circular Road - from designing, hand printing and dyeing to distressing the velvets. Murphy's designs have been snapped up by Fortnum & Mason in London, which wants as many as she can produce. "I love fabrics and textures and the feel of rich colour," she says. "Dyeing has a real apothecary magic about it. I have my weighing scales and my recipes, and often you have to dye the fabric several times to get the right shade."
FROM FRISCO TO WICKLOW: This vintage-style jewellery by Kenny Ma of San Francisco is exclusive to Threadbare and Wilde, one of Wicklow town's premier fashion destinations. The shop is located under an old arch, in a former coachhouse. Inside, the style of owner Sheena Lambert is evident in its well-edited selection of clothes from mostly European and a some US labels. Noa Noa, Tara Jarmon, Custo Barcelona, Malena Birger and Sticky Fingers will be familiar to keen followers of fashion, and the shop is a haven for those searching for something stylish for work or leisure. There is a small selection of shoes from Ted Baker and Unisa, as well as colourful canvas bags from Ollie & Nic. Threadbare and Wilde, Fitzwilliam Court, Wicklow, 0404-25456. Opening hours are 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat
JEAN GENIUS: For a Pepe photo shoot inspired by the Antonioni films, Zabriskie Point and Deserto Rosso, photographer Steven Klein parked Las Vegas supermodel Jessica Miller and Manchester United soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo in a factory in the suburbs of Lisbon with two Siberian huskies. The first film, from 1970, was a story of late-1960s materialistic America seen through the portrayal of two of its children, and the second told the story of a factory in Ravenna where waste product from the plant polluted a local lake. Given that his 1966 movie, Blow Up, was an ironic take on the fashion industry, it is doubtful whether the jeans market will get the point, Zabriskie or otherwise. They're more likely to wonder what gel or wax Ronaldo was using to keep his hair standing on end, while marvelling at the length of Miller's legs.
GOING SWIMMINGLY: Eres swimwear, which as every stylish Frenchwoman knows is the most flattering on the planet, is stocked by Brown Thomas. These costumes don't look like much on the hanger, but the fit is superb. If you want something with more bling, the bejewelled and buttoned affairs made by two Italian sisters under the label Emamó must be the most ornate and colourful bikini tops in town. They come with patchwork kaftans, and certainly stand out from the crowd, though it's poolside rather than seaside stuff. The Brown Thomas swimwear department has a number of vibrant labels sourced by buyer Kathy Murray, who is continually on the hunt for something new and different. Check out Sea Folly from Australia, Pucci prints, tie-dyes from D & G, La Perla swimwear, and graphic stripes from Gottex that distract the eye from less than flattering shapes. According to Murray, women prefer one-pieces, leaving the two-pieces to the size 10 or 12 bikini market. Some lines cater for big sizes, and Sea Folly's Fantasie range goes up to a G cup.