Thursday 25 November 2010

All about Vintage Costume Jewellery....Yummy





Images from www.myvintagevogue.com

A selection of stunning vingtage brooches available at Dirty Fabulous. Go on spoil yourself or someone you love!!!

1950s Large floral Brooch €130

1960s Blue & Clear large floral brooch €140

1960s white enamel & blue rhinestone brooch €140

1950s large swirl brooch €160

1950s layered crystal floral brooch €150

1950s blue & clear rhinestone brooch €160 (part of set with matching earrings)

1950s duck egg blue rose brooch €130

1940s Art Deco rhinestone brooch €140

Check out this engaging link for all the low down on vintage costume jewellery and the designers to look out for:

I am so partial to a bit of sparkle but I particularly love the colour and shine of vintage costume jewellery!

Vintage rhinestone jewellery was originally made to imitate diamonds to offer a more affordable alternative to lovers of fine jewels.
This type of jewellery then became really popular in World War II as luxuries became a rarer commodity.
A personal favourite vintage sparkle of mine is the Aurora Borealis. These rhinestones were treated with a special iridescent coating that gave them an amazing rainbow shine. Believe me when I say they are perfect for wearing with any colour!
Not only is vintage jewellery beautifully unique but it is also hugely collectable. There are quite a few designers to look out for on signed pieces such as Coro, Lisner, Art, Weiss, Miriam Haskel and Bogoff.

If having a signed piece isn't a major must when searching for a vintage sparkle then there are so many affordable stunning pieces available that are collectable purely because of their beauty and originality.

Come see our sparkles in Dirty Fabulous!
x

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Dirty Fabulous Photoshoot Sunday Independent






For anyone who missed it, here are the images that were featured in The Sunday Independent, Living Section.

Thank you to all involved!

Please read the article by Andrea Byrne, its super!!!


By Andrea Byrne
Sunday Nov 21 2010
Such is sisters Kathy Sherry and Caroline Quinn's love for vintage that even a fire which destroyed their premises in Baggot Street, Dublin, and much of their stock didn't deter them from starting all over again.
Only last month, they reopened their Dirty Fabulous store on the more centrally located Wicklow Street, just above Molton Brown.
Admittedly, the two women, who are originally from Emyvale in Monaghan, had their doubts as to whether it would be worth it.
What made it more agonising for Kathy and Caroline is that they sell one-off original vintage. They couldn't simply ring a supplier and order the same stock. These pieces had been collected for more than four years and would never be found again.
"It had taken us so long to get to the stage that we were at, and build up the collection and the customers; we were only really getting to grips with everything. We'd just taken out an ad in Vogue, and it literally only came on stands that Saturday and the fire was on Sunday," remembers Caroline.
It was the support and encouragement of their loyal customer base, that spurred them on.
You would think that given what's happened and the culture in which it has happened that Kathy and Caroline would be full of self-pity, but it's quite the contrary, because when I meet them in their pretty, boudoir-esque city-centre store, they are enthusiastic, positive and full of fun.
Dirty Fabulous has a collection of more than 200 high-end vintage occasion dresses. "It's for the person who wants something different," explains Kathy.
Their customers includes everyone from the debs girl to the bride, to women in their 60s. "We don't take anything that's damaged or unwearable. We don't want anything looking costume-y either," she adds.
The two women operate their business on a walk-in and appointment basis, offering a very personal, hands-on service. Their styling skills and knowledge of what suits what body shapes is second-to-none. Allow them to dress you and you may discover a shape you never knew you had. There really is nothing like a well-cut vintage dress to transform your shape, which is why vintage is largely regarded as having some of best-made clothes around. "Even at the collectors' fairs that we go to in Manhattan, a lot of the designers are there looking through the dresses, picking up designs," reveals Caroline.
Aside from being incredibly well-made and body and age friendly, what's special about vintage is that it never goes out of fashion and you're guaranteed total exclusivity. You can't put a price on that.
You'll be amazed to know that the average bridal dress at Dirty Fabulous is €500, and for a glamorous party dress, expect to pay between €150 and €250, which, when you consider that you're getting original vintage, is great value. "We did lower our prices when people started losing their jobs. We thought 'we're all in it together'. It would be very easy to add a zero for the bridal, but we don't want to go down that road," explains Caroline.
They may well be sisters, but Kathy and Caroline are different in both look and style. Kathy is more into pretty, Fifties prom styles, while Caroline prefers Forties wiggle dresses. "It means we get a more varied buy," says Kathy.
An appreciation of good clothes was instilled in both women at an early age. Their mother worked as a costumier and they come from a family of tailors and dressmakers. Keeping it a family affair, their brother looks after the website, while their mother does a lot of adjustments to the wedding dresses.
Being forced to go abroad to find good-quality vintage clothes prompted the two women into setting up Dirty Fabulous. Most of their stock is from the Forties and Fifties but you will find nods to eras before and after. What you won't find is separates. The dress is key.
Almost all the clothes are sourced from America. "In Ireland, it's so hard to get original vintage, because there was no value attached to it whatsoever. It was thrown out, cut up, worn to pieces, so that's why we go to the States, they had more money and more space," explains Caroline.
It's clear the minute that you speak to Caroline and Kathy that they really love what they do and you can't help but come away from Dirty Fabulous also loving what they do.
"Anytime we are away, we physically cannot walk past a vintage store, it's on the brain constantly," says Caroline, with Kathy adding, "It's 24-7. Even if we're sitting at home watching an old movie, we'll be calling each other commenting on the clothes. Because there is so much work involved and so much upkeep, because you have to constantly source, you have to love it, you have to keep wanting to look for it, and to be passionate about it."
All clothes and accessories from Dirty Fabulous, 21 Wicklow
Street, Dublin 2. Shoes stylist’s own. For more information
and for opening hours tel (01) 6111842 or see
www.dirtyfabulous.com
Photography: Paul Marconi www.dontshoot.me
Styling: Kathy Sherry and Caroline Quinn Models: Paula
Kwasniak, Ciara McFerran and Aneta Hair: Anna
Curran Make-up: Melissa Curran www.makeupbymelc.com
- Andrea Byrne
Sunday Independent


Read more: http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/fashion/a-passion-for-vintage-fashion-2429195.html#ixzz167NqcW6O

Thursday 18 November 2010

Dirty Fabulous on Off The Rails!


Ceil Chapman 1950s Wiggle dress, beaded cardigan & bag (as featured on www.rte.ie)

Woohoo....Dirty Fabulous was featured on Off The Rails last night in a piece about vintage clothing. The segment features ourselves and other vintage aficionados highlighting the key aspects to buying vintage. You can also see our new lovely boutique on 21 Wicklow Street.
Thanks to everyone involved in Off The Rails, it's always a pleasure!
For anyone who missed it check out the RTE Player here:
See you all soon in Dirty Fabulous
x

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Dirty Fabulous Vintage Dresses

1960s Pink Coat with rhinestone buttons & grey wool trim

1950s yellow satin wiggle with fur cuffs

1950s lipstick red prom dress


Duck egg blue satin beaded gown

Pink & Green floral chiffon prom dress with sash

Duck egg blue lace prom dress


1950s camel wool suit with fur cuffs

1950s blue organza prom dress


1940s Apple green wool dress with stars

Above is just a sample of some of our vintage party dresses currently in stock. Come in and see us in our new location on 21 Wicklow Street.
It will be a Christmas wonderland soon...eek...we're very excited!

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Dirty Fabulous Brides

Cecily in a stunning 1950s Prom

Simply Divine!

Susan in an utterly chic 1960s Prom and headpiece

Loving the underskirt swish!!!

Emily absolutely beautiful in a 1960s ribbon sheath


So pretty!

Vintage Birthday Party Celebrations!

A Gaggle of Vintage & Vintage Stylee Lovelies!

Here we are being serious & sophisticated!

Getting ready in Dirty Fabulous

Our aunty Kay & our Mum, Mary. (They taught us well!)

Dirty Fabulous Birthday Glamour! (Cera & moi)

Adrian & Liz oozing 50s sauce!

Me & my brother, Barry (in a vintage knitted tank-top, so now don't you know!)

Mum & I

A stunning mix of vintage fashion and modern styling

Surrounded by Dappernes!

It was a terribly glamorous night (Grace, Mary & Tony)

Shall we retire to the smoking room gents?


Caroline in 1930s Cobalt Velvet

I was very lucky to share my 30th birthday party with my fabulous friend, Cera. Both being huge fans of vintage, we opted for an Old School Hollywood vintage themed bash in the Odessa Club.
I have to say it was truly an amazing night, everyone went all out and dressed up to the nines.
The venue was fantastic and I really have to say the staff couldn't have been nicer.
We danced the night away firstly to my 1930s mix which was made even more special by the beautiful dance cards my lovely friend Liz did for us. After which we boogied like less than sophisticated lunatics to the tunes of Odessa's DJ....Brilliant, thanks to everyone who came, partied and made our night so memorable
x