Thursday 29 November 2012

The Vintage Sessions on Saturday 8th of December


Now here is a something worth checking out!

Irene O'Brien and Ruth Ruth Griffin present The Vintage Sessions which takes place on Saturday 8th at The South William Space . 
The day begins at 11am and runs right up until 7pm with discussions on vintage fashion in Ireland and style icons, complimentary retro hair and make-up styling, vintage shopping and more!
Dirty Fabulous is fully booked with appointments that day but we hope to pop over for some oogling and chats.
Definitely not a vintage event to be missed!

Tickets are €15 and include a mini retro make-over...total bargain!!! For tickets email  thevintagesessions@gmail.com 

You can find The Vintage Sessions on Facebook
 https://www.facebook.com/TheVintageSessions
and Twitter
https://twitter.com/VintageSessions


Wednesday 28 November 2012

Damn Fine Broads

For your amusement and entertainment I have selected a bevy of vintage Hollywood leading ladies. Each woman has led a really fascinating life and I will probably return to them individually in future blog posts, it feels wrong to say so little about such larger than life characters in this post but I don't want to overwhelm you with information!
Instead I am giving you a taster menu, including some advice and observations they delivered and suggestions of movies to catch their fabulousness in!!
There's nothing better on a cold dark evening than to light the fire, open a bottle of red wine and settle in with a classic movie.

These are not ladies to mess with!

Let's begin with the sassiest broad of them all, my personal favourite, the one and only......


Mae West

“Love thy neighbor -- and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier.” 

“Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.” 

"Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution."





Check her out in "I'm no Angel" 1933



Katherine Hepburn

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun"

Absolutely hilarious in "Bringing up Baby" with Cary Grant 1938


Bette Davis

"Everybody has a heart...except some people."


Please Santa, I would like Bette's outfit, I've been mostly good, mostly...
Watch her in "Dark Victory" 1939 

(starring alongside George Brent*, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald & Ronald Reagan!)

*George Brent hailed from Roscommon and fled Ireland with a bounty on his head having served in the IRA during the war of independence 1919 - 1922. He was highly regarded by Bette Davis and starred alongside her in 13 films.

Joan Crawford

"Love is a fire, But whether it is going to warm your hearth or burn down your house, you can never tell"






Watch her in "Letty Lynton" 1932

(The dress above, designed by Adrian for the movie "Letty Lynton", was copied by Macy's in 1932 and sold 500,000 replicas across America!)




Judy Garland

"Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of someone else."



Check out the fabulous gowns in full technicolor in "Meet me in St. Louis" 1944


Jean Harlow


"Must I always wear a low cut dress to be important?"
"When you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas."







Lauren Bacall


"I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that"

"You don't always win your battles, but it's good to know you fought"




Watch her in " How to marry a millionaire" 1953
 in one of her more comedic roles, 
co starring Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable and some really awesome fashion!



Ingrid Bergman

"Be yourself. The world worships the original."
"Happiness is good health and a bad memory."



You can catch her in the classic "Casablanca" co starring with Humphrey Bogart
but if you have seen that already you should definitely watch her in the Hitchcock thriller "Notorious".


I hope you enjoyed this post and you manage to catch some of the movies I have suggested.
Pour yourself a glass of wine, switch off the laptop and your phone, get cozy on the sofa and relax,
you won't be disappointed!!

xxx Caroline xxx

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Elegant, flirty, demure, fun or sophisticated? Which vintage wedding dress is for you?

1940s draped rayon wedding gown
Vintage taffeta bubble bridal prom 

1960s organza and lace bridal prom with sleeves
1950s Organza wedding gown with taffeta trim

1960s Mike Bennett organza wedding gown with rhinestone trim

1950's organza and tulle pleated bridal prom

1960s cream satin and lace peplum wedding dress

1950s ivory satin brocade bridal prom dress

1950s satin and lace sweetheart prom dress

After our super successful sourcing trips in LA and New York we have an endless supply of utterly stunning vintage wedding dresses.
We have lace lovelies, beaded beauties, frothy proms and subtle satin'so make your heart melt.
Our wedding dresses range in price from €400 to €900 with a select few going beyond this.
Get a wriggle on and make your appointment to see our new collection. Call 01 6111842 or email info@dirtyfabulous.com



Monday 26 November 2012

A Few Festive Little Numbers!

1960s Jack Bryan vivid orange chiffon party dress

1950s Coral draped prom dress

1950s fire engine red lace prom with sequins throughout

1950s rust lace prom with sage satin bow

1950s red tulle halterneck prom with beaded bust

As most of you know by now we've had a very busy month with not one but two buying trips in America. Dirty Fabulous is bursting at it's seams with beautiful and unique party wear.
We have gorgeous gowns and flirty proms that are just ready to be paired with some dancing shoes!
Our party dresses range in price from around €180 to €300
Be snappy and make your appointment now by phone on 01 6111842 or by email info@dirtyfabulous.com


Friday 23 November 2012

Feel Fabulous Friday!

Here is a little bit of vintage inspiration for you! I have included original fashion photography of the day and followed it with a photograph of current stock available in Dirty Fabulous!
Enjoy x

Jacque Fath gown 1950


In Stock
Kay Selig for Bonwit Teller 1950's Pistachio Lace and pink satin gown €410


Marc Bohan for Dior 1966


In Stock
1960s silk chiffon and sequin beaded cocktail dress €240


Mademoiselle May 1951


In Stock
1950s Organza illusion top dress with peter pan collar €260


In Stock
1950s Cornflower Blue Linen embroidered wiggle dress €310


Suzy Parker, Vogue 1955


In Stock
1950s Lavender Satin dress with matching linen reversible coat €560


Hattie Carnegie 1941


In Stock
Jack Bryan goddess gown with bugle beaded trim €980


In Stock
1940s Sequin, Lace & Chiffon draped full length gown €950


x Caroline x

Saturday 17 November 2012

The Dublin Burlesque Festival and Vintage Fashion Show





The Dublin Burlesque Festival kicks off tonight with a flourish. With a week that promises sauceyness, sultryness and a little touch of freakyness it's set to be a super exciting week and we can't wait.
Dirty Fabulous will be showcasing some party looks at The Vintage Fashion Show which takes place tomorrow in The Mercantile from 2pm - 4pm. 
You can also indulge in some afternoon tea whilst you view the show. Afternoon tea is €7.50 or €12.50 if you would prefer some bubbles (and who wouldn't of a Sunday afternoon!)

There is so much happening all week so i'll leave it to you to peruse the lineup and tickets on entertainment.ie

Enjoy all the best the burlesque has to offer!


Thursday 1 November 2012

Fashion Repeating - Episode 1!

I thought I would do a series of posts about the cyclical nature of fashion and how certain things never go out of style (or if it does, it's not long before it's back!)
Whether its a cut, silhouette, colour combination or overall look, the following have crossed decades and in certain cases, centuries!

For the first post in this series - I'm mad for plaid!!

Tartan Dress 1830


Tartan dress 1880 - Fashion Institute New York


Fred Perlberg 1950


The swinging 60s


1970s


And you really can't mention tartan without a nod to.....
Vivienne Westwood 1980's
(My favourite designer!)


Linda Evangelista in Christian Lacroix 1990



Alexander Mc Queen 2006
(note the bustle silhouette, very similar to the 1880s dress!)


And to finish up...
2012 - Rhianna looking positively demure!


 Raid your wardrobes ladies, tartan was all over the Autumn / Winter 2012 Catwalks!

x Caroline x