Fake Fake!

God how we hate fakes but I have to admit it this was a good one. The ever artful Maz @ StyleTreaty had to break the news to me that the BT voucher is FAKE!!! I was curious admittedly when I saw Brown Thomas (UK) but like anything too good to be true, I was blinded by the possibility of combining my 30% discount with that 25% and having a big aul Bank Holiday shopping spree. Poo...

By way of apology I have posted a pic of Colin Farrell for you to goo at. If the rumour mill serves us well, his definitely ain't fake!

Brown Thomas Voucher - 25% Off

From the lovely Richard at Irish Boutiques.com - a nice way to kick start the bank hol weekend. Print off and enjoy!

Read this doc on Scribd: brown thomas voucher[1]

Patricia Field Seeks an Intern!

Seriously, if I could pass myself off for 20 again I would be couriering my application to the Fabulous Ms Field toute de suite!

Maybe I could just pay her to let me work for her? Sigh...oh to be at the alter of greatness. Alas, for anyone out there lucky enough to fit the bill, check out the job spec below and send my best to Pat, will ya?

Patricia Field Online is seeking an Ecommerce intern. This is be a great summer internship (start immediately!) and will be happy to participate with you for college credit.We might have a very busy summer ahead and this would look great on your resume and it is a very fun work environment.You should be excellent with customer service, customer correspondence, grammatically correct at all times, an excellent speller. Punctuality and responsibility are musts!Simple HTML editing and photo-retouching skills are preferred qualifications. You will also be required to assist on photo shoots.Please email a photo and a resume to julie@patriciafield.com. Applications sent through myspace will not be considered, and we prefer that resumes be walked in, but there will be leverage for the right candidate.You will be asked for references, so be prepared or be a super-star and submit them with resume.

(Photo credit: Makeup by Billy B, photo by Mike Ruiz)

If You're in London....

Click HERE to print off your Korner Skincare goodie voucher. Head over to Harvey Nicks to claim your boodle with a £70 purchase...and tell them I Blog Fashion sent you!!

Read this doc on Scribd: Harvey Nichols Launch 08

Nicole Farhi Menswear

It's about time we had some menswear up here and no better place to start than Nicole Farhi's SS08 collection. I'm loving the whole Mod/Great Gatsby hybrid. It's like Camden circa 1950 meets the Hamptons. Very clean and cool. Nice.

p.s. - plimsoles are soooo this season but would you wear them?

Shutter Speed

Our first in the series of photog profiles. This week I Blog Fashion gets a look behind the lens at the fab Nathalie Marquez Courtney!

How long have you been taking photographs?
I’ve been flirting with photography casually for years; but it only really got serious last September when I purchased my first proper camera, a Canon 400D.

Why do you like about it most?
I love that it can be fun, candid and casual one minute and meaningful and creative the next. I also like the fact that you’re always learning. You can never say, “right, I’ve mastered that technique”, there is always something more to discover. On a more personal note, I love capturing my friends and family - pregnancy bumps, new puppies, loose teeth, these are all things that are only there for a short period of time, so it’s nice to be able to freeze them for a frame or two: “photography... remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything,” said abstract expressionist photographer Aaron Siskind, and I’d like to agree.

What’s your fave photo that you have taken and why?
It changes from day to day but at the moment it’s a simple shot I took back in December of the Poolbeg Towers. I took it from the DART window, which gave it a cool green tint that I then enhanced in Phtoshop.

You’re a pap for a day - who gets snapped and doing what?!
Photographing the paps themselves would make for an interesting photo study! People who give up their whole day to follow a famous (or in many cases, not-so-famous) person around for days on end, you have to wonder what kind of effect it has on them. I’d like to snap them at work: the expressions on their faces as they shout out things to get a reaction, the kind of angles they choose to snap from, the jostling with fellow paps, all those things.

What is it that makes you pull out your camera?
I really do think that photography is not about what you see, but how you see it. So something I could have walked past a million times before can suddenly become fascinating depending on what mood I'm in. I love relaxed people shots too, so am constantly papping my friends and family.

Who’s your fave photog? Why?
Wow, there are loads! But the very first photog I fell for was gingerpixel.com and I still check her blog daily; she takes really gorgeous, unique photos. You’ll find some truly inspiring snaps at rymus.net (he also posts at glasseyalley.com) and Philip Pankov’s black and white Dublin shots are amazing.

Nathalie ran away from her family circus to pursue a degree in English and Spanish in UCD, where she worked on the college paper and fell into the whole writing game; outside cyberland, she works as writer for U Magazine. When not taking/editing/uploading photos, she continues her quest to find the best spicy chicken wings in the city (Ocean Bar in Grand Canal Dock is still winning). She blogs at casacaseycourtney.wordpress.com and dublinblog.ie.

Slide.com url:
http://www.slide.com/r/Pniul6HS3j8PiC0zj-3mn1tPMUkgA3mt?previous

The SKIN.NY

I know I tend to bleat on about looking after your skin but I only do it because I care. It has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a pain in the arse. Of course not. Why would it? Moving along...
Anyhoo...I wrote an article 2 years ago on a new skincare range called SKIN.NY and I thought it best to hook you up with the insider knowledge. Basically, there's a little known patented ingredient called QAL-100 in the product which has been given the high-five by The British Journal of Dermatology. This my poppets is a BIG deal. It's like getting a key to the city of everlasting youth. I don't know about you but I would have no hesitations living there. So, on that note, I'm going to recommence my SKIN.NY regime pronto. After all, I will be 35 in 3 weeks..ahem ahem.

Click here to read my original SKIN.NY article.

Adopt a Designer

Geez, what's wrong? I am full of the love today. More kudos today is being given to Catwalk Genius.com. Similar to DaWanda, the website operated a platform that gives desginers a chance to showcase and sell their work. More interestingly, you can actually ADOPT A DESIGNER!! I am totally over the Chanel starburst jumpsuit about this! Imagine buying shares at €14 a pop (i.e. 5,000 'elements') in Stella McCartney when she was but a budding St Martin's protegee? Et voila, one house of Chloe later and you're raking in the big bucks...and of course the bragging rights of knowing you were there from the start. L-O-V-I-N-G IT!!! Click here to check out the runway smarty pants and prepare to invest in the next best thing! Beats share options in pork bellies any day...

The Cutest Press Pack Ever...

A way to a fashion blogger's heart is definitely through a press pack and boy, am I madly hearting DaWanda. So who is DaWanda and just what is that eco-friendly melee of cuteness you see to the right? Well, DaWanda is like an eBay-come-soc net platform for online goods including handmade fashion, design, art work, accessories and more. It differs in that it is strictly design-led and has really funky features like making a custom order at the Style Lab, the Pinboard for recommendations, shop stats for vendors and a trends section highlighting hot handmade DaWanda items, members and sellers. Lest you think this is some puny make-and-do exercise, think again. I'll be posting a slideshow of their latest fashion offerings for you to gawk over and if the highstreet is anything to judge by at the moment, I shall be making haste to DaWanda for some summer maxi dresses! Check it out now! In the meantime, I am going to goo over my ridiculously adorable handmade swag from the DW possee. Kudos to the power of ten!

Pearl Plum

I'm not one to brag but dear God do I have some talented friends! Take Kate Ffrench Blake Watts for example. Not only does she have a cool name but she's also director of Pearl Plum - a UK based company that makes ethically-sourced pearl jewellery with a funky twist. So basically the girl checks that the working conditions of the pearl farms are acceptable, hand selects all of her pearls which are certified for authenticity and is even committed to minimising environmental impact. Could she be any cooler? Hold on...did I mention she also has a line of pearls for men? Seriously, the Shoreditch posse will pee in their skinny jeans when they see the edgy line she has created. If you'd like to get your mitts on a string of what GRAZIA magazine is touting as this summer's must-have (p.23), then check out http://www.pearlplum.co.uk/. If you ask nicely, Kate will even custom-make you a piece of pearl jewellery to order.

Email: info@pearlplum.co.uk

Web: http://www.pearlplum.co.uk/

Phone: +44-7884-008-103

Re: Dress

Tomorrow 7pm @ The Button Factory. Tickets €12 on the door.

Toe Jam Car Boot Sale

Screw eBay. You want to buy cheap clobber or flog your furlined boots for a fiver, The Toe Jam Carboot Sale is where it's at. Yep - The George Bernard Shaw is holding its 3rd glorious flog fest on Saturday 17th May in the pub parking lot. Expect DJs and some live acts along with a broader cross-section of market stalls and free falafel (seroiusly!). I'm in the market for a pair of Pat Butcher earrings if anyone is in the know. I'm convinced uber-kitsch is the new black. Bring it Pat!

Check out the Toejam Top Tips below!

May 17th, 1pm-6pm
George Bernard Shaw carpark
contact: john@bodytonicmusic.com to book a space

Tip 1: Worried that you might have a wee accident driving home drunk? We can help, if you want to bring your car and enjoy a few tipples you can leave your car safe in the carpark and pick it up when you feel like it!
Tip 2: Want to sell but dont think you will be able to fill a car? Carpool! go in on it with a few mates and fill up one car, always works well.

The Bitch

I said I would embargo all summer clothes on this blog until I saw some semblage of sunshine. Alas, the seasonal fairies heard my bitching and decided to shut me up with...is it?...could it be?.....sun?!!!

To celebrate a bright 16 degrees celsius with no 'scattered showers', I've decided to share a scattering of some SS08 RTW delights. Reminds me of cotton candy by the seaside. Sigh....

(Image credits: Marcio Madeira)

MEM Couture

Sigh! Slovenian design duo MEM Couture is my new design crush. Inspired by by nostalgia and (mai oui!) Paris, the pair produce deliciously quixotic "fashion art". For the 18 months, MEME (Eric and Matjak) has been working on its "Homage a Marlene" - an artistic dedication to the inimitable Ms Dietrich. If the 'Macbeth' and 'I'm Not a Vampire' collections are anything to go by, we're in for a heady treat. Check out the slideshow below and fall in love with the past!

Minnie Driver @ Brown Thomas

I'm sure you've all diarised Friday, April 25th for Brown Thomas' launch of the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer ltd ed DVF bag. Well, surprise surprise! Our celeb spies tell us that none other than Minnie Driver will be there to launch the campaign. If you're nice, you may even get a photo opp. So long as you queue in an orderly fashion behind moi!

RED ALERT

Get those night vision goggles on the ready. It's.....STALKER TIME!! According to my sources, the ever-yummy George Clooney will be taking a motorcycle tour of Ireland this summer. FINALLY, I may just get that face-to-face with the silver fox after all. And I'm pretty sure the US restraining order doesn't apply on Irish shores....

Blog Spot

If you thought the streets of Dublin were only filled with UGG-shod hoodied Drummies then breathe a sigh of relief. It's just about safe for fashion democracy thanks to New Blog on the Block - Dublin Streets. Papping regular joes around our fair city, the blog gives a full frontal view of Dublin's hipper street side. If you're a patron of the George Bernard Shaw, chances are you'll catch a glimpse of your pork pie hat and capezios somewhere in the pictography. We like. We like. Kudos to you Dublin Streets!

Interview of the Week

This week Gemma Thomas, an fellow IQONian, from Thomas G Menswear gives us the benefit of her style creds.

1. What's your definition of style?
Individuality and the confidence in yourself to be your own person in the way you act and dress. I find the most stylish people to not follow fashion but to embrace their ideas and understand themselves usually the ones starting the fads/crazes because of their confidence of who they are.

2. Who would you kill to (un)dress?
Daniel Craig he always has a glint in his eye as well as Matthew Bellamy the lead singer of Muse. I think he is an amazingly dressed man.

3. What fashion faux pas is the most unforgiving? Be ruthless.
I loathe anybody that wears their trousers around there knees and always have brightly coloured boxers, but what I find particularly amusing is they still wear a belt....... what for??

4. What is your fashion weakness?
Red shoes or ankle boots.... to be honest any shoes or boots. I love them!

5. How many models does it take to change a lightbulb?
I wouldn't like to be unfair. I'm a menswear designer and all the models I have met are intelligent, so no comment on that one.

Thomas G Menswear - http://www.iqons.com/Gemma+Thomas

Fake It Til You Make It

Bless Coco Chanel. Not only did she give us the LBD, rumour has it, she also pioneered the first bronzing skincare back in the '30s. Clever broad.
It seems after a summer in Biarritz, she was inspired to mimic the healthy glow she acquired from the fashionable seascape back in gay Paris. In keeping with her clever foresight, Chanel is rolling out SOLEIL TAN DE CHANEL toute de suite! I could crap on about it looking like sand dunes but I'm sure you just want the basics. Ltd ed Sable D'or €40.50 from May 19th...and it moisturises too. Nice.

New Boutiques @ CHQ

The swelling from the facelift on Dublin's Docklands is really starting to subside and boy, I love what I'm seeing! Three new boutiques have now been added to the swanky chq premises: namely Fitzpatricks, The Pink Room and Kohl. This means labels like Marc Jacobs, Joanne Hynes, Antik Batik and Barbara Bui on tap. Now who was it that said there was no good shopping to be had on the northside? Er...wait, that was me!

Leighlee Sale!!

Diary princesses put down those lattes, get those iPhones out and block off May 24th. Why? Because you're going to The Bluebell Estate on the Old Naas Road!!! O.K. - before you start pelting razor-sharp filthies at me, it's all for a good cause. And what would that be? How about bagging a Leigh Tucker dress for under €100. Is that good enough for you? If you fancy a Leighlee dress from the SS08 collection (yes please!), RSVP on Facebook or email info@leighlee.com and give the girl a heads up. FYI - cash only so don't arrive 'sans sheckles' and bitch that you only do cards. That won't get you anywhere.

Details below - form an orderly queue (i.e. behind me!) and see you on the day!

Saturday, May 24, 2008
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Unit 1 C Bluebell Business Centre
Old Naas Road, Dublin 12

Frédéric Fekkai does Dublin

And about time too. We love a bit of Fred and now his super duper hair care range is exclusively stocked at Dublin's BT. If you're already a BT newsletter subscriber, you'll have probably already printed off the email entitling you to a complimentary personalized consultation and your 'Technician Color Care 3 Minute Mask' sample. If not, do your locks the justice of investing in some FF products asap.

Heidi Klum in a Bottle

One month until my birthday and short skirt weather. Great (insert sarcasm here). Don't get me wrong. I'm quite happy to ditch the opaque tights, just not so keen about 'celebrating' the deleterious effects of age on my wobbly bits. Admittedly, eating chocolate spread on toast in the morning with a pot of French vanilla coffee can't be helping me achieve 'Klum-like' perfection which is why I've started using Clarins Body Shaping Supplement (€52). The gig is you add 6-8 drops from this funky vial to your fave body moisturing cream once or twice a week for 4 weeks, slap it on the tummy, bum and thighs et voila....your inner Heidi will come blossoming forth. Roll on May 18th!

Are Ultra-Thin Models Going out of Style?

I'll believe it when I see it but apparently the French fashion industry has signed a government-backed charter pledging not to encourage eating disorders. In a bid to promote healthy body images, parties including the French Couture Federation, the French Federation for Women's Pret-a-Porter and the Union of Modelling Agencies have vowed to abide by this NON-BINDING measure. The penalty for encouraging the waif look? Up to 2 years in jail and a €30,000 fine. Hmmmm. Just how easy will this be to police this measure? The word 'thin' has become a semantic minefield. Even after Madrid Fashion Week imposed the BMI ban of under 18, models still looked pretty stick bony to me. Anorexia is a fairly hefty (no pun intended) issue in France with between 30,000-40,000 people suffering from the disease. The fact that the charter is also NON-BINDING really makes the whole exercise pointless. Apparently there is a much tougher measure against eating disorders being introduced to French parliament this month. It will be interesting to see if we will be seeing much in the way of concave legs parading down the runway anymore.
(Photo credit: Marcio Madeira)

Meet Karl Lagerfeld in Second Life

Roughly translated from French Vogue....

After Giorgio Armani and his avatar made made their debut on Second Life, now it's Karl Lagerfeld's turn to enter the virtual world. The artistic director of the House of Chanel will appear in a new version of the video game 'Grand Theft Auto'. Well known for music groups, the racing game will feature Mr Lagerfeld incarnated as a DJ of Studio 54-inspired radio station 'K 109'. Players can choose the music which they'll listen to while driving in the car. Out April 29th.

I'm sure I've lost something in translation but it's, dare I say, much better than my spoken French. Less said about that the better. Oui...

Orange You Pretty in that Colour?

Qs. Sarah Harding, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Christina Ricci have what in common?

Ans. They all manage to wear this season's 'must-have' (????) orange lipstick well enough without looking like they've sucked face with a bottle of fake tan.

Where does that leave the rest of us you hear me asking? Unless you've got the benefit of exceptionally tanned skin to balance the colour pigment or ridiculously high cheekbones to make it look 'high fashion' you will simply look silly. Avoid fashion's folly this summer and opt instead for Clarins Gloss Appeal in Hibiscus. The subtle tangerine hue is enough to give a passing wink to the trend without sticking your tongue down its throat. I think I've made myself clear. Thank you for your time...

I Blog Fashion on Facebook

For all of your social networkers out there, the I Blog Fashion support group has been set up on Facebook. Basically, the need was there after many complaints from avid readers who ditched deadlines, missed meeting and generally fluffed off on account of us. I know. I know. There should be some sort of disclaimer or 'ADDICTIVE' warning on the site but that's just tacky. So in keeping with our usual style, we've made the group a quasi-Jeeves: an information concierge if you will with email alerts and all the good stuff so you never miss anything I Blog Fashion-related...and won't lose your job. Now go back to work. Oh, wait it's Sunday. That's only me then. Grrr...

Click here to join the fun!

Taste of Dublin

Good taste is always in fashion and none more so than when it comes to food. Eating out has possibly become one of Dublin's most stylish pasttimes; not to mention terribly exclusive. Getting a booking at some of Dublin's chicest eateries has become tantamount to bagging front row seats at a Marc Jacobs fashion show. And what of the sexy celeb chefs? (Mint's Dylan McGrath just may have my vote!)Do we need anymore reason to tickle our tastebuds? Well, you can never have too many good reasons. So you can imagine, being an epicure (i.e. greedy guts), I was delighted to pop along to the preview of Taste of Dublin: Dublin's annual foodie fest. Held at the Merrion Hotel, guests were treated to a bevy of "amuse bouche" prepared by chefs Oliver Dunne and Dylan McGrath (hence the yumminess!). If the samples we enjoyed are any reflection of the quality of food at the June event, we're in for a serious treat. Delish!!

Loubout-iful

What is it about the word 'Louboutins' that makes me feel all tingly inside?
Could it be the aesthetically-pleasing design; the attention to detail; the chic Parisian sensibility? I could stare at these all day; or just put them up on my mantlepiece and stroke them...or I could just bloody wear them. How perfect are summer office wear with a chic little shift dress? Bag yourself a pair @ Net-a-Porter. Eh, not before I do...

The Morning Rant

I'm seriously considering banning any summer-related posts until I see consistent seasonal improvement. I woke up this morning to more rain and general hideousness which made me mentally tick the 'winter coat' box. No doubt, that will change by 11am and I'll be left hauling around a half stone of wool in the bright sunshine. Nonetheless, I like to manage my readers' expectations. So here's a sneak peak of some rather fetching wraps from the Ready-to-Wear AW 08 collections.

(L-R: Jill Sander, Proenza Schoueler, Erin Fetherston, Alberta Ferreti; photos -Marcio Madiera)

'Between Seasons'

For me the phrase 'between seasons' is up there with 'bank holiday traffic' and 'I'll call you': best avoided if possible. Unfortunately, due to our mid-Atlantic clime, the hope of avoiding hail and snow in April is tantamount to me giving up shopping. i.e. no time soon. So, when life throws you lemons, may as well make vodka and lemonade. Speaking of which, how cute is this little number for hitting the town? New from Urban Outfitters, it can be worn with or without jeans, leggings, black opaques (so OVER it!!), jackets, belts, . I bought mine today to go with my demi tuxedo jacket and maxi clutch. Loving it. Dress it up, down, cold, dry, wet or windy,(preferably with a yummy cocktail in tow), it's the transitional garment you'll be needing this 'summer'.

I BLOG FASHION on Dublin's 98fm

Hello my pretties! Your favourite fashion host is going to do her best Carrie Bradshaw impression on 98fm's Breakfast Show with Dermot, Dave and Siobhan. Stay tuned tomorrow morning at 9.20am to the 'Love Shack' slot for some singles' advice and a bit of bitching from moi on why being single often means being poor. My financial solution is somewhat novel. It would involve a different ending for Carrie...maybe marrying Stanford instead of Mr. Big? You'll see what I mean.

Kisses xxx

ps - there'll also be some fashion soundbytes from me on 98fm - info coming soon!

Cossack Chic

I'm not one for airports but I do love a bit of Charles de Gaulle; in particular when it means picking up my copy of L'Officiel. Filled with uber-glossy images of next season's collections, it's the only eye candy I need, even in a city as aesthetically-pleasing as Paris. After having disgorged the recent issue, I can categorically state that you will ADORE Gucci's AW 08/09 offering. Okay, I know. It's not even summer but really folks, is it ever? This is Ireland we're talking about here and if I were you, I'd be paying attention. When the chill sets in, you'll all be heading for the hills and by that I mean: Cossack chic. Totally Eastern Block/ freeze-your-ass-off style snaps here. From black trousers tucked into high fringed boots with Rumanian-inspired blouses, tapestry-embroidered coats, cabochons, gold buttons, hip-slung belts and my favourite....studded leather and Mongolian lamb camisoles. Shoot me now...it's too fabulous.
(L-R: images courtesy of Marcio Madiera @ style.com)

Little Black Dresses

I'm convinced God must be Coco Chanel or that Coco somehow channeled some serious metaphysical prowess because without my LBD collection, I'd be sartorially screwed. Yep, I'll be the first to admit that my wardrobe can oft resemble a jumble sale; a very fabulous jumble sale but a mess nonetheless. Inbetween the rails of trends, vintage and minor style snafus, there is an ephiphany of black dresses saying "We forgive the puff ball mini. Please, come with us." And like the prodigal daughter I return into the forgiving arms of perpetual chic. My one burning question is, at what stage does the ubiquitous LBD-wearing become laziness? Let's be honest, not much thought goes into slipping on a vintage black number and a pair of killer heels. It is ridiculously failsafe, always sophisticated but where are the fashion snaps? Is it always fashionable to rely on an LBD or is this just my errant style streak seduced once more by the 'love 'em and leave 'em' trendsetter? Answers below please...

Swag Math

"I've been a bad bad girl"
~ Fiona Apple

This is about the fifth time today I've mentally handed over my CC digits. The cause of said mental splurge? These blinged out babies to my right. Oh how I love Giuseppe Zanotti! For a little old Italian man, he surely knows which buttons to press on a girl. Ah yes...that would be the one marked SHOES I CAN'T AFFORD. Regardless, I cannot help but fantasise about what these would look on my little puppies. Sure, I couldn't walk 2 feet in them but they're not meant to be practical. They're works of art...which means they're an investment, no?

Time for a bit of Swag Math methinks...

At $716 (www.electricladyland.com) they actually work out to be a mere €465. You see? A saving already. And as works of art go €465 isn't bad. Think of it this way, you couldn't exactly wear a Banksy screenprint out for cocktails unless is were on a t-shirt which would devalue it surely. My point...these are acually practical and with repeated wear will still be be considered 'vintage'. Now THIS is how math should be taught in school. If it had been, maybe I would have listened harder...

What the Buck?

I like to pretend I don't watch reality TV but I do. There. It's out. My dirty designer laundry airing for all to see. Well, I guess it saves the dry cleaning bill. Anyhoo...now that I'm out and (not so) proud, I may as well tell you about my new gay crush....What the Buck? Buck is the outré gay man we all know or would love to know - think of Anthony on SATC and you're on the right track. His boutique bitch-fest on YouTube has become the highlight of my coffee breaks. With little precious time anymore to waste on Tyra working her weave, I can now get the condensed milk version of my dirty little secret. It also reduces the possibility of being beset by Audrina's vacant expression each time I tune into The Hills (don't judge...I know you watch it too!).

What the Buck? Check it out below...

Style Soduku

Last week while in Reims sipping Bolly, I had a serious discussion with one of my sartorialist sidekicks. You see, for several months now I have been wrestling with feelings of guilt and regret, torn by a 21st century moral conundrum: is it okay to buy fur if it's vintage? Let me give you the back story....

It was a rainy September morning on the Upper West Side and I was bitchslapped with jetlag. I took it upon myself to walk down to the East Village through Hell's Kitchen, seeing how there wasn't much else to do at 6am. It was then that I happened upon the uber-trendy Antques Garage on West 25th Street. Apoplectic with delight, I whiled away the guts of two hours, drinking coffee, trying on Dior dresses and basically cooing like a well-stroked lover. Could this be Heaven? If so, then God has some slammin' good taste. But I digress....

Here's where it gets complicated. In between all the tactile masturbation, I found a 1950's fur gilet: soft and sleek with no raised nap like its fake counterparts. I tried it on and it melted across my silhouette like liquid gold. I couldn't help but think of the bolts of electricity rammed up some poor animal's ass. My guilty look said it all. The stall owner kindly offered some words of wisdom: "Honey that thing was dead long before you were ever born!" and the sale-saving "Vintage doesn't count." It was tempting. She even knocked the price down to $125 but I couldn't help wondering if my own size 12 booty would be the target of PETA protesters everywhere. Would 'BUT IT'S VINTAGE!!' save me from being fried into oblivion by the national grid?

And hence I am still unable to do the math. Was it the right thing to do? Does vintage = mc2 (minus cruelty). Help a girl out...

Swap it Like it's Hot

It's not like anyone needs a good reason to throw a party but sometimes it helps to have one. If you're anything like me in the clothes buying department then Oxfam has just the gig for you. Oxfam's Swap It Parties are being held around the UK and Ireland to help curtail the backlash our consumptive habits are having on the environment and the world's poor. If you already donate your used clothes to Oxfam, good for you. If not, here's a chance to lay on the vino and get your mates over to have a swap night. Whatever you don't manage to trade or barter is then given to Oxfam. A heads up... don't bring anything ripped, torn, stained or unwanted. If it can't remain as a garment without the help of pins and a prayer then it belongs in the recycling bin. So block out April 25th in your diary now, and call up those vintage-loving friends of yours. Who knows, what you could walk away with!

For party ideas check out the Swap It Facebook Group.

The Lunchtime Debate

Birds of a feather are said to flock together but I strongly doubt Monhique Lhullier would be caught shot and stuffed next to this Debenhams atrocity. Following the flock isn't advisable, unless you can pull it off. Advice? If you've got champagne taste and a beer budget, avoid any highstreet homage and opt instead for ornithology-inspired colours like goldfinch, cardinal and peacock or a simple feathered cap a la Carolina Herrara. Dublin Zoo does not need another flamingo.

What do you think? Throw your feather into the ring after the jump...

L-R: Debenhams feather dress; Monhique Lhullier A/W 08; Carolina Herrera A/W 08
(Credits: AP Photos/ Louis Lanzano)

Comme de Garcons @ H&M

"Osaka, Tokyo. You Harajuku girls. Damn, you've got some wicked style!" - Gwen Stefani

The words 'directional' and 'highstreet' aren't often used in the same sentence. Semantics however are prone to change and the fashion dictionary is no exception. This autumn will see a radical repositioning from high to haute street as Comme de Garcons takes the helm as H&M's guest designer. The anarchic Japanese label, headed up by Rei Kawakubo, will roll out its signature collection this autumn across clothes, accessories and fragrances. Be prepared. CDG's signature creativity is bound to produce some fierce street style.

Absolument Fabuleux

Did you miss me? You did, didn't you? Well, I've got plenty of news to feed my fellow fashion junkies once I catch up on some well needed rest and this month's issue of French Vogue. Champagne drinking for 36 hours can take its toll. Suffice to say the trip was Absolument Fabuleux! I was honoured to be among the lucky few to taste the new Bollinger Rose. Patsy Stone would soooo approve.