Inside Style - That Pesky Groundhog

Image courtesy of the world wide web.

Inside Style - by Annmarie O'Connor - featured in The Dubliner - April 28th

Neck. I have lots of it. This can be both a blessing and a bane. Take last month’s brush with Mr. Lagerfeld, my unique ability to adopt front row seats at fashion week (when my ticket states STANDING) and a giraffe-like tendency to snag unreachable items with my six foot frame in sample sales. All neck. All good.  The problem results when said shoulder-to- head junction intersects with my mouth, leaving me to choke on my own words. Not good. Not good at all.

In advising those in search of a well-curated wardrobe, I am apt to utter, “Don’t compartmentalise”. In other words, your garments should mix-and-match without the need to enter into tiring taxonomies such as ‘going out for drinks with the girls’, ‘going out to dinner with my fella’, ‘going out to dinner with my fella’s parents’, ‘going out to dinner with my fella’s parents after drinks with the girls’. See what I mean?

Apart from the fact that the latter should most definitely be avoided, there really is no need to create such closet personalities in your own...er...closet.  Despite these cultured pearls of wisdom, I remain heedless (and hypocritical) to my own counsel with incriminating results. 

Having booked two holidays this summer, one to Rome with mother and sister, the other to Spain with sun-seeking cohorts; not to mention a ‘best dressed’ judging appearance at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, I have already required a second wardrobe to stash my clash of bikinis, little black dresses and an equestrian hat that would rival the Hubble satellite.  

Capsule dressing to me is a futuristic styling tablet; not a lifestyle choice. Regardless of my unwavering deference to black and propensity to clack on about ‘downsizing’, I find myself waving at the shadow of a Groundhog weighed down in kaftans, turbans and cocktail dresses screaming that he doesn’t have the right shoes (vermin can be real divas). 

The way I see it I have two choices. I can a) forgo the spiel about only needing twenty items of clothing and chalk up said wardrobe to a Francis Bacon-like melange of creative chaos.  Or I can: b) follow my own sanctimonious advice for a change and embrace the force of minimalism. Hmm...I wonder is there room in the Hugh Lane for the two of us?

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - April 30th

HOW TO WEAR IT....Florals

Outfit 1
Floral-on-floral is a tricky catwalk trend. Team a subtle ombre print (like this Dries shift dress) with a pair of floral shoes. The distance between the two will strike the right balance.

Dries Van Noten dress, Brown Thomas €880
Beau Coops floral heels, BT2 €235

Outfit 2
Tailoring lends an edge to flirty florals. This button up shirt adds boyish charm to a girlie skater skirt; while the fuchsia platforms inject a pop of summer colour. 

Short sleeve white shirt, Reiss €110
Floral mini skirt, Zara €39.95
Pink suede wedges, Topshop €106

Outfit 3
Preppy does it with these vintage floral print trousers. Their subtlety makes them a great trans-seasonal purchase for ‘soft’ Irish days which don’t always spell ‘garden party’. 

Glasses, Penneys €1.50
Jaeger Boutique lurex sweater, Arnotts €120
Sandro denim shirt, Annmarie’s own
Vintage floral print palazzos, Penneys €17
Moccasin boots, River Island €45.50
Oxfam briefcase, Annmarie’s own

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - Apr 23rd

HOW TO WEAR IT…THE MAXI SKIRT 

Outfit 1
Jazz up jersey with a crisp white jacket for a modern monochrome look. Add mixed metallic accessories for visual interest.

White crop jacket, Zara €99.95
Made in the ‘90s t-shirt, Topshop €33
Helmut Lang striped maxi skirt, Brown Thomas €295
Bracelets, River Island €13.50 a bunch
Watch, Annmarie’s own
Armour ring, Topshop €20.50
Silver brothel creepers, Topshop €91 

Outfit 2
Less is more with the minimalist trend. Opt for a crisp white shirt against a solid bright skirt for maximum impact.

Wide white shirt, Reiss €110
Danielle maxi volume skirt, Reiss €140

For the full version pick up a copy of today's Irish Examiner.

Inside Style - The Kaiser

Inside Style - by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner - April 21st

I love Paris. Fact. So whenever the opportunity to take a sneaky trip arrives, I'm there with Gallic stripes on. Last week, I had the jammy luck of attending the launch Karl Lagerfeld's limited edition Diet Coke bottles a party atop the George Pompidou Centre.

I promised I would behave: not jump the barriers, goose his bodyguards, tug at his ponytail, steal his Mantilla fan, request a free Chanel 2.55 bag. This was a big ask, in particular since I was only gagging to get the skinny (no pun intended) on how he allegedly lost ninety pounds on a regime of Diet Coke and steamed veggies; not to mention his random tweets, that cameo in Zoolander and rumours about him being cryogenically frozen. I had a lot to say but I would remain shtum. Discretion thy name is…

That being said, I somehow managed to finagle my 6 foot 4 frame (Miu Miu heels) to the front of the photographer’s pen to acquire some intel: not to mention snag a few nifty iPhone snaps of the Kaiser and a subsequent  earful of vitriol from several (not so tall) French shutterbugs.

Here are the findings from the Irish jury. He’s pocket-sized; we’re talking portable here. Model Lily Cole had to remove her heels so as not to completely dwarf him in press shots…and she still did.  His Diet Coke butler was on call – the legendary aide who serves him said libation in a Lalique crystal goblet. I was impressed. This is how he rolls; the rest of us go to Centra.

The presence of a threadbare hair bobble around his white ponytail did throw me off (er, head of a $10 billion Chanel empire?) but perhaps that was a mere ruse; much like his male model security detail (swoon!) and the bevy of bespectacled clones (Klones?) dispatched amongst the crowd. Clever trick there Mr. L. Clever indeed.

Alas, I remain none the wiser about the enigmatic Kaiser but I do know that Karl’s three new 'Love it Light' Diet Coke bottles (featuring polka dots and chevron stripes against his ponytailed silhouette) will be available in prism-shaped collector’s boxes this June. In words of the man himself, “Luxury is the income tax of vanity. But it is so pleasant.” Karl Lagerfeld. He’s got some bottle.

Freedom Clothing

Over 'Wescht' this Easter weekend? Best check out Freedom Clothing on Galway's Lwr Abbeygate Street. Not only are they chock full of new SS/11 menswear including Tommy Bowe shoes and super luxe sportswear from Diesel, Henley and Bench; but Patrick and Patricia are also giving a sweet 20% off ALL stock over the bank holiday weekend. Now that is egg-citing! Geddit?

Freedom Clothing: 10 Abbeygate Street, Galway. Ph: 091-865 989

CLICK HERE to join them on Facebook.

SS11 Tommy Bowe Shoes

Best Shoe Ad Ever

Visit Solestruck.com

Jeffrey Campbell 'Benched' - BACK OFF - THESE BABIES ARE MINE!

Minimarket

United Nude 'Abstract'

www.solestruck.com

Joanne Hynes Accessories

Fashion gets an injection of the exotic thanks to Joanne Hynes’ new accessory collection. Influenced by her homes in India and Ireland, the line of handbags and neckpieces bear a distinctly artisan hallmark in its combination of textures from calfskin and crystal to ethnic style bearding and metal piping work. Hynes’ signature edgy elegance is ever present with fluro box formations, mock croc and silver foil as standard. Get a taste of this ‘Automated Glamour’ @ www.joannehynes.com and  on Joanne's OWJO site for Facebook. CLICK HERE to enter!

Queen Mother Skull Neckpiece €195

Queen Mary Necklace €160

Symmetric Butterfly Necklace €220

Snail Trail Necklace €220

Butterfly 2 Necklace €220

Butterfly Belt €220

Metatron Belt €220

Maximus Clutch €245

Sucker Clutch €245

 

Who Needs Met Eireann?

Looking for an accurate weather report? Pop down to Francis Street where you'll find this sassy weather girl telling it like it is - R-A-I-N. Nice guna considering the outlook. Now that's optimism!

The Bunny Gets It

Sometimes the urge to fit into a size 10 gets savaged mercilessly by the need to eat chocolate - especially when it looks like a bunny.

Sweet...

These won't fit on my head Marc Jacobs style but they will fit in my mouth.

Eh, why stop at the ears?

Be afraid Mr. Bunny. Be very afraid!

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - Apr 16th

THIS WEEK ANNMARIE WEARS THE NEW NEUTRALS

Anchor your look with a rich palette of neutrals from tobacco and rust to toffee and cinnamon.

Outfit 1
This rust midi skirt gets the preppy treatment with a sleeveless shirt and Marni-inspired platform sandals. Top tip? Thoughtful details like these animal print socks and matching belt add personality to your look.

Sheer short sleeve shirt, Topshop €55
Joanne Hynes Leather belt, Annmarie’s own
Rust midi skirt, River Island €40.50
Libby tan wooden platforms, Topshop  €105
Animal print socks, River Island €5.50

Outfit 2
Crop trousers are a quirky alternative to this season’s flares and look oh-so-Audrey Hepburn when teamed with a silk button-up shirt.  

Equipment silk shirt, BT2 €235
Belt, Oasis €19
Crop trousers, Zara €39.95
Socks, Annmarie’s own
Libby tan wooden platforms, Topshop €105

Outfit 3
Flat-chested? Add ‘visual interest’ to your top half with bright vertical stripes while keeping the bottom half neutral. This season’s flare provides the perfect drama, especially when teamed with ‘70s style wedges. 

Stripe top, Oasis €25
Tobacco wide leg trousers, Topshop €53
Socks, Penneys €2
Sandals, Penneys €21

Inside Style - Hybrids

Image courtesy of Cafepress.com

Inside Style - by Annmarie O'Connor - featured in The Dubliner - April 14th

Hybrids. Why the fashion world feels the need to homogenize two perfectly sensible garments beggars belief. Since cardigans spliced into ‘cardigowns’ (cardigan-dressing gown) and ‘coatigans’ (coat-cardigan); jackets into ‘mackets’ (mac-jacket) and ‘jardigans’ (jacket-cardigan) and skirts into ‘skousers’ (skirt-trousers) and ‘skorts’ (skirt-shorts), shopping has turned into one big surrealist love in.

 “C’est ci n’est pas Alexander Wang.” Quite. Although I love a bit of Magritte; when I’m shopping I prefer to find a great top, not have my perceptions of reality challenged. Maybe it’s me. I seem to have morphed into some sort of sartorial curmudgeon, dishing out acerbic rants on about how things have changed since back in the day. Perhaps in manner of said Belgian artist, I should radically alter my view of the humble blouse – or at least increase my cost-per-wear ratio in buying a ‘blurt’ (blouse-skirt).

And my sister calls me over-analytical.  Pah! Personally I think that appraisal deserves further examination. But I digress…   Although I’m somewhat prepared to renounce my semantic safety net (‘mubes’ (maxi tube dress) are a winner for summer holidays), there are certain style stem cells which should never mate. 

‘Meggings’ (male leggings) may have been a hit with the Proenza Schouler boys but the day I see one of our fellas duct taped into Lycra while holding a pint in McSorleys, I’ll emigrate…for good. Likewise ‘mace’ (male lace) should be squirted in a would-be attacker’s eyes or at least the ad execs that saw fit to equate convenience store shopping with a clearly traumatised Brendan O’Connor (poor lad). As for ‘whorts’ (winter shorts), there’s over-the-counter medicine for these sorts of things.

Indeed as our friend Magritte suggests, such images are often treacherous as they fail to satisfy emotionally. Something tells me the danger lies more in the victimisation of the wearer be it lack of circulation (see: ‘meggings’) or simply getting lost in the lexical funhouse. “I’ve had my eye on a ‘flirt’ (floor lengths skirt) for a while….until I saw those ‘flatforms’ (flat platforms; blame Prada) in Vogue.” Hmm….

Until the fashion world conjurs a hybrid that turn splices the combined ratio of my thighs, I refuse to pander. In the meantime, I’ll be opting out of this brave new world, adapting the otherwise familiar comfort of a jumper and jeans; or if I decide to  really go mad – a snood.

How to Wear It - Irish Examiner - Apr 9th

THIS WEEK ANNMARIE WEARS SKIRTS AND STRIPES 

Outfit 1
Pear-shaped? Show your stripes above the waist to keep those proportions in check. Pair with an A-line midi skirt for hip-skimming style snaps. 

Zanrda Rhodes headscarf, Annmarie’s own
Stripe bow sweater, River Island €36
Blue pleated midi skirt, Topshop €53
Joanne Hynes leather belt, Annmarie’s own
Blue suede kitten heels, Zara €59.95

Outfit 2
Make like Prada and clash your stripes this season. Mix and match widths in a similar palette for best effect. Remember wide stripes widen; whereas thinner ones can minimise. Wear yours wisely!

Neckscarf, Irish Cancer Society €1.50
Stripe top, Zara €39.95
Stripe jersey skirt with belt, River Island €33.50
Sonia Rykiel brooch, Annmarie’s own
Carvela suede heels with contrast heel, BT2 €125

 

Outfit 3
Edge out a typical Breton top with a leg-flattering skater skirt. Pair with a denim jacket, chunky boots and contrasting stripe socks for some downtown ‘je ne sais quoi’. 

Crop denim jacket, Topshop €55
Breton stripe top, Zara €19.95
Leatherette skater skirt, River Island €33.50
Socks, Penneys €2
Topshop boots, Annmarie’s own

Irish Examiner - New Look Weekend Supplement

The Irish Examiner's new look Weekend supplement is on newsstands TODAY! As part of the revamp expect to see a complete makeover of the fashion pages including new features such as 'How to Wear It' with yours truly. This week also sees my front cover interview with rising star Simone Rocha. I'll be posting PDFs of the content over the next few weeks but in the meantime, here's a sneak peek from my iPhone. Go on, pick up your copy today - free with the Irish Examiner (only €1.90).

Inside Style - Beckham Palace

Inside Style - by Annmarie O'Connor - as featured in The Dubliner magazine - April 7th

I’ve been spending the past month or so decorating Casa Kimmage. Quite the nesting experience it would appear. Not only have I finally got around to dry mounting that limited edition Will St Leger screen print of Victoria Beckham, but I cleverly turned a pair of too-tight-but-too-expensive-to-throw-out boots into a matching flower pots. Inspired.

“What is this?” enquired my sister; a.k.a. Grand Elder, First in Line, All-Knowing One.  Aware that this was not a run-of-mill entreaty (the clipped tonal inflection is a dead cert), I quickly donned my sales hat and launched some damage limitation.  “Don’t you love it?” I gushed. Silence.

Retreating to the back porch, she pointed at the sprouting ankle boots. “I’m going to B&Q this weekend; I’ll pick you up a few things for the garden.”  “But those are Alexander Wang?” I squealed churlishly. “Which is why they shouldn’t be filled with potting soil.” And so the creative cold war began.

Victoria, clasping a Balenciaga tote and a 9mm glock pistol, lay wait in the bathroom –appropriately over the loo. “Nice touch,” conceded the Wise One.  “I didn’t realise irony could act as a conduit for bodily functions; what next, a Mace-wielding Anna Wintour in the kitchen?” Hmmm. That could prove useful over the fridge. But I digress...

“Anything else lurking in the shadows?” she enquired (cue: the dreaded raised eyebrow).  This was not the time to mention the denim covered sofa cushions or the vase full of cast-off buttons that I break out at dinner parties (hey, it’s a good talking point). Instead, I chose to raise the proverbial white flag and bridge our most disparate aesthetic divide.

“Look, you’re a bit country; I’m a bit rock ‘n’ roll. Let’s just accept that our tastes are mutually exclusive.” Silence. A curled nostril joined the raised eyebrow.  “Really? You chose to paraphrase Marie Osmond? Now I know why you’re a fashion journalist and not a music critic.” Burn.

Had there not been currents of water seeping from the eyelets of the Wang flower pots, I would have lobbed one of them at her. Clearly I hadn’t banked on drainage. Visibly my foray into fashion gardening was somewhat ill-fated. And with that a thundering crash was heard from above where Posh took a nose dive into the jacks. “I’m buying you a handyman for your birthday,” she decreed. DIY – never was my shtick.

Karl Lagerfeld for Diet Coke

I love Paris. Fact. So whenever the opp to take a sneaky mid-week trip arrives, I'm there with Gallic stripes on. Most fortuitously, I had the privilege of attending the launch of Karl Lagerfeld's limited edition bottles for Diet Coke this week atop  the Georges Pompidou Centre where I got to hang with the Kaiser himself. O.K. So we weren't quite swapping notes about Mantilla fans but from my position behind the barrier and a distrubingly beautiful body guard (see pic), I did see that he had a Diet Coke butler at the ready (as one does) and that Lily Cole had to remove her shoes so as not to tower over him in photos. But I digress. The three new 'Love it Light' Diet Coke bottles which sport polka dots and chevrons stripes against Mr. L's ponytailed silhouette will be sold in prism-shaped collector's boxes from June in Ireland. Until then, feel free to check out the party shots and our press gang's whistlestop jaunt around the Marais and Les Halles.

Karl's lifesize bottles

Lunch in the Marais District

Have Brothel Creepers - Will Travel!

Karl with model Lily Cole (with her shoes off!)

Karl's Model Bodyguard - Swoon!!!!!

Another gratuitous shot.

Snazzy Corset Shop

Dinner at Chez Janou

Even the cafe in Colette is honouring Karl.