Arnotts A/W Fashion Show Review

Arnotts has become one of my new favourite haunts over the past few months. They have completely revamped their womenswear department on the mezzanine floor by stocking new and exclusive brands like Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Reiss, Boutique by Jaeger and new labels Nevermind and One Teaspoon which are a favourite of mine. It has really upped the ante in the style stakes and with this new insertion of young and funky labels it has begun to compete with edgier stores like BT2 and is finally making Henry Street a worthwhile shopping destination!

I happily headed along to the A/W Arnotts fashion show last week that was held on the top floor in the Conran Shop. Under first impressions the layout was intimate and fun; each chair was a different style - which was a nod at the new boutique-style womenswear department and the eclectic selection we were about to see!

(pictured here model Yomiko wearing a Tara Jarmon dress to launch the Arnotts A/A show)

The catwalk opened with an introduction to this season’s hottest colours: camel and red with touches of leopard print. My favourite look from the catwalk was this Hobbs camel coat and Coast red belted dress with the Abro leopard-print bag. Assets Model Lynn looks prim and office perfect in this tailored look!

Statement coats are absolutely huge this season, as seen on the catwalks of Dior, Tommy Hilfiger, Alberta Ferreti and almost every other designer. Well stylist of the show Jan Brierton dedicated a whole segment of the show just to coats, to showcase how outerwear can be an entire outfit!

Without a doubt this pink and red plaid Anglomania by Vivienne Westwood coat as worn by Baiba is the perfect vibrant option to let you stand out of a crowd.

Heritage Fabrics were also huge on the designer catwalks this season, layering countryside colours and outdoorsy prints with structured tailoring was big at Rodarte, Chanel, Jaeger London and Kenzo. Well Arnotts was no different; showcasing various looks from the new Hobbs diffusion line NW3, Max & co and of course the Lauren by Ralph Lauren collection. Here we see the gorgeous Sarah Morrisey in one of the coveted Hertitage looks.

Other show segments included; ‘Knits’, showcasing this season’s coolest knitwear just like Marc Jacobs and D+G collections. ‘Glam Military’, ‘Clean Lines’ with suiting and silhouette enhancing outfits and finally ‘Hitchcock Glamour’, showing that elegance of the forties and with inspiration taken from the leading ladies of the Hitchcock era such as Grace Kelly.

It was a show that catered for every age group with an emphasis on dressing the female form, most importantly - there was something for everyone! I have already bought the half-leather/half-trousers from ‘Nevermind’ collection and even got papped at London Fashion Week while wearing them. Next on my wishlist is an Abro leopard print bag and patent black belt from Hobbs.

Keep your eyes peeled for this Saturday’s Irish Independent WEEKEND magazine where I have my ‘Gossip Girl’ inspired shoot showcasing the best buys at Arnotts!

My new style crush...Zoe Kravitz

Well with parents like the super stylish Lenny Kravitz and beautifully eclectic Lisa Bonet, this girl not only had great genes to start with, but also two of the best wardrobes to raid.

You can see the influence of her parents’ styles in how she dresses, she’s part grungy rocker, part free spirited hippy. She has this fantastic eclectic look and devil-may-care attitude that looks like she just jumped out of bed and threw on whatever she found on the floor… and maybe she did!

Having just turned 21, she still keeps her makeup young and fresh, occasionally opting for a bright red lip, but in general quite reserved with her makeup. Her hair is usually left long and naturally wavy, however she recently took the fashionista plunge and chopped it off into a shaggy crop…not many people could pull that look off (I certainly would never attempt it) but she looks even better than before.

Some of my favourite looks are those of her caught shopping or walking around New York City, effortless and cool. Some vintage denims, plain tshirts, layered cardigans. My type of girl! However even for events, she follows the dress codes while managing to stay true to herself. See her at the Chanel A/W 09’ show wearing the Chanel monochrome tights and dress. She keeps it her own by layering lots of necklaces, unstyled hair, shades and a cool beret.

Another reason to love Zoe…her best friend is none other than Alexander Wang…yes, these two seem inseparable at events and the lucky girl gets to constantly wear his designs! Jealous much?! See them here at an after-party…she makes chunky heels with an oversized red hoody look good. And then of course wearing a Wang original at the Vogue fashion funds party. Grrrr. And i'm clearly not the only one who loves Zoe, she's also the new face of Vera Wang's Princess Fragrance!

To pull off the Zoe Kravitz look you’ll need to invest in a few staples. Worn denims, plain vests and t-shirts, layered necklaces, headbands, scarves and vintage jewellery, flat boots, …a best friend called Alexander Wang and oh I dunno, a bank balance as big as hers too?

The IFTAs Red Carpet

The IFTAs, otherwise known to me as the Irish Fashion Trauma Awards, had their 6th annual ceremony on Valentine’s night and the crème de la crème of Irish stars turned up in their glad-rags for the evening’s festivities.

It’s about as close as we get to the BAFTAS or Oscars and although Ireland has its fair share of film and television stars, many of them are still miles behind in the style stakes!

The Good…

An array of blush tones in keeping with the romantic mood swept the red carpet;

My favourite of the night was Caroline Morahan in a iced pink, bustier, strapless, tiered number, with a chunky diamond cuff and swept-back simplistic updo and neutral make-up…she managed to look fashionable and youthful, clearly those years on ‘Off the Rails’ have paid off.

Another winner of the night… Amy Huberman shunned the glitzy over-the-top evening dresses and opted for a quirky, pink, embellished, shift dress. With a messy updo and smokey eyes, she would have stood her own against any of the cool, style icon Brits, aka Alexa Chung and Ferne Cotton.

The Bad…
There were a few on the night who almost had it, but just didn’t quite get there…

The beautiful Seoige sisters, usually look perfect on their daytime TV show, couldn’t relate this approach to their red carpet look. There was nothing overly-wrong with their dresses, they were just a bit predictable and boring…empire line, silk chiffon-layered, bust-enhancing, broach detailed and deep purple and teal green complementing colours…did anyone tell them that dressing the same as your sister is only cute up until the age of six???

Rachel Kavanagh, former ‘Fair City’ actress, is a regular at these star-studded bashes, so she should have the style thing down to a tee; however, she opted for boring black, high neckline with an awful chiffon fishtail with a sneak of hot pink coming through. The dress made her look bigger than she is - it needed to be more body-con for a va-va voom effect. She’s young and beautiful, so if she was sticking to this classic shape, she should have been more adventurous with the colour.

The Ugly…

Take a few hints from Dame Helen Mirren or Michelle Obama on the art of how to dress an older woman beautifully and elegantly without the element of mutton dressed as lamb!

Red was a fantastic choice of colour by Jackie Lavin of ‘The Apprentice’. However, red satin on anyone over the age of 40 can look cheap and she teamed it with over the elbow matching gloves, a la Moulin Rouge. Not only that but the dress had a plunging neck-line and diamonte detailing. How much is too much? Check out Susan Sarandon, she’s 62, still has red-hot sex appeal but manages to do it with a bit more class.

Finally we have Fionnula Flanagan, currently starring in hit American series ‘Lost’. She tried to play it safe in black…however, the diamonte polka dot bustier that is at least 2 sizes to small for her, makes me want to scream..put em away love!!! Take a hint from Helen Mirren…equally blessed with blossoming assets; the difference being she knows how to dress them!