Tuesday 25 February 2014

1950's Pastels for Pretty Bride and an Award Winner!!!



The gorgeous Alma, wore a Dirty Fabulous vintage, dusky pink lace 1950's prom dress for her recent wedding and she complimented it with a short veil and cardigan.
As bridesmaid, her sister wore a Dirty Fabulous vintage, 1950's duck egg blue taffeta 1950's prom dress.
The overall look was so pretty and unique!

Congratulations are also in order for Alma who won an award at the
Irish Times Theatre Awards on Sunday night for Best Sound for Riverrun , directed by Olwen Fouéré and Kellie Hughes for The Emergency Room, The Galway Arts Festival and Druid Lane Theatre, Galway.
She even wore a Dirty Fabulous 1950's red satin wiggle dress for the occasion!


Woohoo, go Alma! (second from left)


Monday 17 February 2014

Tulle and Rhinestone Tea Length Bridal Delight!





We were so chuffed to see these photos of the stunning Toireasa on her wedding day wearing her Dirty Fabulous dress.
I loved the ethereal frothiness of this 1950's tea length wedding dress and I thing she wore it perfectly! It was teamed with one of our bespoke birdcage veils and rhinestone combs which picked up the rhinestone highlights on the shoulders of the wedding dress.
Congratulations Toireasa and thanks for sending in your photos!

If you have any photos of yourself or others wearing their Dirty Fabulous dresses or accessories, we'd love to see them.
Just email them to info@dirtyfabulous.com

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Which fashion era is for you? Part 2: 1940's to 50's

1940's - The War Years


Images courtesy of  My Vintage Vogue


Another favourite era here in Dirty Fabulous.
 The war effected everything during these times, and fashion was no exception.
Hem lines once again rose as fabrics were rationed. Most luxurious fabrics like silk were either being utilised by the war effort or the factories which made them were used instead to make ammunition's.
Dirty Fabulous Henri Bendal 1940's duck egg parachute silk gown

Many of the 1940's garments are made out of rayon, synthetic jersey and other man made fabrics.



Dirty Fabulous 1940's ivory crepe wedding dress with rhinestone beading

 Fashion was utilitarian and the military influenced the style.
Decadence was a thing of the past, instead sublime tailoring is what made these piece stand out as each item had to last many seasons.
Image courtesy of ByGone Fashion

One of the most popular ways to dress up a look was to wear a hat. Hats began to be made out of pretty much everything and were the focus of a complete style.
Images from Pinterest




Dirty Fabulous 1940's pale blue velvet hat


1940's cream rayon dress with gold beading

Under German rule, France lost it's position of the Haute Couture capitol and new American and English designers began to emerge.
Towards the end of this era, Christian Dior unveiled a collection which was deemed "The New Look".




Above Christian Dior images courtesy of The Met Museum

Dior's collection returned to accentuating the female form once more. Waists were nipped in to tiny sizes, busts were worn pert and prominent and skirts were voluminous.
The New Look is undoubtedly my complete favourite and it's appeal lasted right into the 1950's and 60's. It remains one of the most classically appealing vintage styles today.

Dirty Fabulous 1940's slate blue taffeta and tulle evening gown

Dirty Fabulous, New Look, Harry Keiser ivory bridal tea length dress with sequin blue leaf detail

The 1950's 
After the sombre war years the 1950's opened with an optimistic outlook which included the fashion industry.
After years of tough work lives that involved little or no dressing to impress, women were ecstatic to again once be able to express their femininity and indulge in a little fashion luxury.
This wasn't welcomed by all women though, as they had finally begun working in positions equal to their male counterparts they just as suddenly were expected to return to their homes and dress to impress.


Dirty Fabulous 1950's tulle blush prom dress


Dirty Fabulous 1950's ivory taffeta wedding gown



Images from Pinterest

Dirty Fabulous 1950's nude lace prom dress and saucer hat

Luckily for us, fashion will always be part of society and Dior's New Look silhouette flourished.
The two main shapes were a voluminous skirt and a very narrow pencil skirt. Both were worn with as nipped in a waist as possible. 





Images courtesy of My Vintage Vogue

Dirty Fabulous 1950's floral prom dress

Dirty Fabulous 1950's black and whiter floral prom dress 


Dirty Fabulous 1940's ivory satin bridal prom dress

Hollywood movies once again became exceptionally important to the world of fashion. Who nowadays doesn't love watching a lavish film from the 1950's. The clothing is usually breathtakingly decadent. Just think of Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina and Marilyn Munroe in How to Marry A Millionaire.


Dirty Fabulous 1950's nude lace wiggle dress with crystal drape sash


Dirty Fabulous 1950's aqua organza wiggle dress with rhinestone lace detail


Dirty Fabulous 1950's mink taffeta wiggle dress with ruched shoulders


Images from Pinterest

It was still as important in the 50's to accessorise impeccably. Hats, gloves and bags where all staples that no fashionable  lady would leave the house without.
Oh to live in a time like that...

To see our full collection of 1940's and 50's dresses call on 01 6111842 or email info@dirtyfabulous.com for your appointment




Wednesday 5 February 2014

Vintage Life Magazine...Romantic February

Romance is whizzing it's way here for next week (or being blown in by the big storms we've been having!)
February's issue of Vintage Life has some inspiration for that romantic getaway which was styled by Carmel Daly and features oodles of our vintage gorgeousness!
The shoot was captured by the fantastic Saibh Egan who really evoked a classic timeless feel.
Get your copy today for all this and more...

Dirty Fabulous 1940's blush lace suit, silk blouse, pink ruched gloves and  1950's travel case

Dirty Fabulous 1960's nude lace dress with Peter Pan collar and ivory gloves

Dirty Fabulous 1950's Christian Dior nude silk suit, 1950's lace saucer hat, blush pink gloves and travel case.

Dirty Fabulous 1950's mink taffeta wiggle dress with fluted shoulders, ivory gloves

Dirty Fabulous 1960's ivory beaded, leather jacket

 Jacket and travel case as before
suit and hat as before

credits: 
Photographed by Saibh Egan 
Styled by Carmel Daly
Hair Babs McDonogh
Model Mairead @ Catwalk Models 

Shot at the Twelve Hotel Barna, Galway 


So whatever you are doing for the Valentines weekend, whether you are spending it with friends, loved ones or having some quality "you" time, make sure you do it in style!

Call us on 01 6111842 or email us at info@dirtyfabulous.com now for an appointment