A Beloved Noir Portrayal

We're beyond excited to be able to share this hauntingly beautiful shoot on Halloween.

This masterpiece shoot was the co-creation of  Roxanne Parker, an incredibly talented stylist and photographer Gerry Balfe Smyth. The shoots focal point was on the incredible hair which was conceived by the Creative Team at Davey Davey. The hair stylists have shied away from the classic coiffed do's that could so easily have been paired with such an evocative shoot and have instead created tousled Art Nouveau tresses that are both classic and courageous.

 Involving a large team of fabulous people who worked together to produce one of the most gorgeous shoots we've ever had the pleasure of being involved with.

I think you'll agree they are reminiscent of decadent portraiture from a bygone age which is exactly what Roxanne and Gerry were hoping to capture. Indeed, Roxanne's concept was inspired by her years from childhood wandering through art galleries and this love of great art has grown with her as she has made it her mission to visit as many galleries as she can on her travels. The influences of her love of artwork have soaked through the styling to create portraits with attitude. 

I adore the cool edginess of the looks which have been softened with ethereal and dreamy touches. Follow Roxanne down the rabbit hole as she leads you through the conception of work:

"Styling wise I wanted to rebel & do something soft, romantic & painterly for this story but with elements of coolness & hardness mixed with the Romanism of the clothes- touches like multi-stacked rings & undercut hair styles contrasted against the softness of lace.

Or an unexpected hit of gold metallic leather work by Emma Manleys' juxtaposition with layers of tulle by Helen Cody & the faded grandeur of the ribbon woven vintage mink trimmed jacket. 

As I was illustrating Davey Davey's hair collection I really wanted to go against the grain of what a hair orientated shoot tends to be which is usually ultra modern, body & structure conscious & often a little aggressive."  

Look 1: 

Layered Diamonte body chain, €550 Johanna Johnson Knightsbridge 

Neck cuff with mesh tie, Knightsbridge 

1950's Mink & wool fur collar, €75 Dirty Fabulous 

1920's Flapper dress €1,200 Dirty Fabulous

1960's long white gloves, Dirty Fabulous
Large jewel encrusted slave bracelet, Johanna Johnson Knightsbridge 

Crystal encrusted bracelet, Knightsbridge 

Pale pink cable knit over the knee stockings, €14 American Apparel

Look 2:

Layered Diamonte body chain, €550 Johanna Johnson Knightsbridge 

Structured cape, Oliver Doherty Dunkan 

Metallic leather with floral embellishment top, Emma Manley 

Brown laser cut leather necklace (worn as belt), €345 Amy Brannigan Design Centre

1950's Pale gold ribbon jacket with mink collar, €420 Dirty Fabulous 

Cream tulle full skirt, €995  Helen Cody

Pale pink cable knit over the knee stockings, €14 American Apparel

Look 3:

Shoulder piece stylists own

Embellished later chain necklace, €939 Design Centre

Crystal encrusted bracelet with tulle tie, € Knightsbridge

1950's Tulle one shouldered prom €650 Dirty Fabulous 

Look 4:

Layered Diamonte body chain, €550 Johanna Johnson Knightsbridge 

Crystal headpiece,  Johanna Johnson Knightsbridge 

Blush pink bra, Stella McCartney Brown Thomas 

1950's Pale gold ribbon jacket with mink collar €420

Crystal embellished wrist cuff,  Knightsbridge 

High waited briefs €48.50 Wacoal Brown Thomas 

Long netted skirt with low hanging crinoline, Helen Cody 

Look 5:

Stacking rings, from €4.95 H&M

Leather work dress, Oliver Doherty

Look 6:

Victorian pale gold silk and lace cape  €380 Dirty Fabulous 

Diamonte layered body chain, Johanna Johnson, Knightsbridge 

Gem encrusted scalloped neck piece, Johanna Johnson Knightsbridge 

Vintage lace long sleeved blouse, Helen Cody 

Stacking rings, from €4.95 H&M 

Large jewel encrusted slave bracelet, Johanna Johnson Knightsbridge 

Torn "Hayden" boyfriend jeans, €68 Topshop

Look 7:

Mother of pearl and antique gold pendant necklace, Design Centre, 

Earrings, from €.4.95 H&M

See through Lace flop length dress, POA Helen Cody 

Look 8:

Neck piece, POA Oliver Doherty, Design Centre

Black lace slip, €92 Triumph Brown Thomas 

Black lace bra, €215 Myla Brown Thomas 

Black sheer mesh dress, €400 Jill de Burka Design Centre  

Look 9: 

Buffalo earring, drop cross earring and ear cuff, all H&M, from €4.95

Diamonte and crystal embellished capelet with Diamonte front clasp, Joanna Johnson, Knightsbridge 

Lace bra, €68 Wacoal Brown Thomas 

Structured silk petal bodice, €1195 Helen Cody

High waisted briefs with lace detailing, €35.50 Wacoal Brown Thomas 

Knee length white net skirt, €199 Ailis Mara Design Centre 

White fabric crinoline cage, Helen Cody 

Nude cable knit over the knee stockings, €14 American Apparel 

Look 10:
Neckpiece, Bláithín Ennis
Long haired Fur stole, Dirty Fabulous

The Credits:

Stylist:                  Roxanne Parker

Styling assistants: Yve Byrne

                              Rebecca O'Byrne

                              John Burrows

Photographer:        Gerry Balfe Smyth
Photographers Assistant:  Ian McDevitt

Make up:               Vivien Pomeroy

Hair:                      Paul Davey, Ian Davey, 

                              Stephen Boyle, Maricia Horan 

                              Creative team at Davey Davey

Models:                 Suzi

                              Kojii

                              Cat D

Goddess Gorgeousness!

When Kristina sent us in her gorgeous photos from her recent wedding we were delighted, they are so beautiful!

She picked one of our original 1970's goddess gowns. This, one of a kind dress, looked like it was made for her, it just seemed perfect the second she put it on! I also made her a beaded and jeweled headpiece to finish off the glamorous ensemble. The cream and golden tones of the piece were stunning with her luscious auburn curls. Kristina is planning to keep her beautiful vintage gown and give it to her daughter, which is just so cute! 

We're always encouraging people to treasuring their amazing vintage pieces for future generations! You are now in possession of a little piece of fashion history, don't you know! 

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

Congratulations to you both : )

xxx Caroline xxx

Iconic Celebrity Brides: The Quintessential, Audrey Hepburn

Who better to start off our iconic bride series than the most recognisable actress of all time!

Audrey Hepburn married Mel Ferrer in 1954 and wore an absolutely darling wedding dress by French couturier Pierre Balmain.

She combined her classic elegance and pixie crop hair style with a floral wreath headband to create a look that could be worn by many a bride today.

Assuring us once again that Hepburn's style is timeless! 

Dirty Fabulous has this stunning, vintage ivory satin, wedding dress in stock which strikes an uncanny resemblance to Audrey's first wedding gown. I absolutely adore this dress, every time I walk past it in the shop I want to try it on (and some day I just might!). 

€820 Bust:34 Waist:26  Hips:Free 

Now that you've found your perfect Audrey dress all you need to do is adorn your luscious locks with one of our bespoke floral headbands. Priced from €75 to €140

We'll be featuring some more of Audrey's iconic bridal looks later in our series including the outfit she wore for her second wedding and her famous "Funny Face" wedding gown!

Vintage Lace, gorgeous Organza, Sea Green Shoes and Everything in Between!

A big congratulations to Kate and Dave!

Kate was such a lovely treat to have with us in Dirty Fabulous! She chose a 1950's embroidered organza dress with a delicate little 1940's lace peter pan collar bolero jacket to match.

She had planned to wear fabulous sea green shoes as a fun pop of colour so I made her a beaded headpiece  with birdcage veil and a sash to incorporate her colours in a soft and understated manner!

I think she wears it all beautifully.

Kate used the following people to complete her dream team!

Photographer was Laura Faherty 

Hair - Aoife O Grady of McAuley Scalon on Baggot St

Make up - Olivia Mahon of O'La Beauty in Killimor, Co. Galway (she's Kate's cousin!)

Venue was Middleton Park House, with further photos taken in Kilbeggan Distillery. 

xxx Caroline xxx

Spotlight on Designers at Dirty Fabulous: Kiviette

We have some special gems in the store at the moment so I thought I would tell you a little more about their provenence!

First up is
"Kiviette"

This beautiful 1940's strapless gown is currently in stock with us at Dirty Fabulous.

Bust - 40"

Waist - 30"

Born Yetta Schminsky,in 1893, she married Abel Kiviat and thereafter used the single name Kiviette professionally.

She designed for both theatre and fashion and was a very famous Broadway designer particularly during the 1930's.
Her Broadway career spanned from 1917 to 1948 and encompassed forty five Broadway shows, all musicals except two. 

She continued designing commercial fashion until the 1950's.

These original sketches by Kiviette were discovered in 1981 by museum director Oskar Pausch in The Theatre Museum at the Lobkowitz Palace in Vienna.

They were among an incredible 1,400 original sketches for musicals and musical revues produced on Broadway from 1900 to 1925 by over 66 American designers (20 of which have yet to be identified).

No one is quite sure how this collection came to be there but oh how I would love to see this astonishing array of sketches!!
They are so glamorous I can only imagine what the actual costumes were like, I'm picturing lush velvet, shimmering silks and sparkling jewels!

  

They are completely charming and full of fun!

During her Broadway career she designed for many, soon to be stars including, Fred and Adele Astaire (Fred's older sister and dance partner for 27 years)

Funny Face, Original Broadway production, 1927

Costumes by Kiviette

Music and Lyrics by Ira and George Gershwin

Tillie Losch, Fred Astaire, Adele Astaire, Frank Morgan & Helen Broderick

Tillie Losch

Fred Astaire and his sister Adele

The above photos are from the Broadway production of The Band Wagon, with costumes by Kiviette, New Amsterdam Theatre 1931 - 1932. 

This would be the last time that Fred performed on stage with his sister before she retired to marry Lord Charles Cavendish.

This is Lee Merriweather, winner of Miss America 1955 in a fabulous Kiviette evening gown

We always find it so astonishing to be able to look back at at the history of our vintage dresses.

It's thrilling to learn so much wonderful details about a piece in our collection.

This is especially possible when they have been created by a well known designer.

It makes them even more special!!!

Steel Magnolia in Bash Winter Edition 2014

We absolutely squealed with delight when the golden winter edition of Bash arrived to our door.

It includes the shoot Steel Magnolia which features one of our beautifully sheer Edwardian wedding dresses. 

Head running and screaming for your copy now!

Photography: Rich Gilligan
Styling: Niamh O'Rourke
Model: Franziska Flein at Models 1

1950's spectacular Harry Keiser gown for a super duper bride!

O.M.G.

How awesome does Siobhan look in her 1950's ivory and turquoise sequin Harry Keiser gown!!

Siobhan was an absolute dream in the shop when she came in to look for a wedding gown.

She fell madly in love on the spot with this 1950's Harry Keiser taffeta gown and it just looked like it was made for her.

We teamed it with a 1960's turquoise velvet and gilt bag and 3/4 length ivory gloves.

Her gorgeous daughter also wore Dirty Fabulous!

She wore a 1960's Mike Benet Chartreuse satin and sapphire sequin full length gown and I also made her a matching headpiece to finish off the whole look.

Love love love it!!

Massive Congratulations to you both.

xXx Caroline xXx