Irish Independent Weekend Magazine Saturday 31st of December 2016

What a fabulous way to start the New Year with an incredible mention in the Irish Independent,  Weekend Magazine courtesy of Bairbre Power! Woohoo and welcome to 2017!!!

Models: (L-R) Joanne Brennan, Miriam Kerley, Ustina Maximova, Laura Hannon, Cait Douglas, Lorraine McLaughlin, Ellen Greenan and Airida Seskauskaite

A dress to say 'yes' to - whether you are a vintage or modern bride

Be it a Christmas engagement or proposal at midnight on New Year's Eve, January traditionally throws up lots of wedding talk. Our fashion editor spoke to a dynamic pair of sisters who want to open up the world of vintage to modern brides

Our shoot is the epitome of romance and shouts Monaghan pride as sisters Caroline Quinn and Kathy Sherry, of Dirty Fabulous fame, showcase their unique collection of bridal gowns.

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Now based in Dublin, the sisters' store on Wicklow Street has been a haven of all things vintage, since they opened eight years ago. That was a brave move, coming as it did as the recession hit, but they stayed true to their dream and traveled the world in their quest to find genuine vintage pieces.

In a new move, they have combined their years of experience in vintage fashion to create a beautiful capsule collection of wedding dresses called Paper Moon Bride. Their latest business development came about by accident after one of their customers bought a blush prom dress and wore it as a wedding gown. The reaction was immediate and the girls found themselves inundated with requests to find other 1940s and 1950s bridal dresses from yesteryear, but assets were scarce. Caroline explains how genuine cream and white dresses from that period tend to be too small across the back for the modern bride because the garments were originally made for teenagers. In the 1950s, brides got married in delicate shades of blue and pink and it was teenage debutantes who wore the pale ivory tones.

"We designed the collection to open up the world of vintage to more customers," says Kathy. "A vintage wedding dress is completely unique, which makes it ultra special for the bride who snaps it up, but we wanted to create dresses for those that had missed out. The most beloved styles of our brides are the tea-length 1950s and 1930s old Hollywood gowns, so we decided to design four short and four full-length dresses. It's still a limited-edition collection because the uniqueness of vintage is our first love and we want to stay as true to this as possible."

The first dress to be designed was Cherry Pie, which was based on the first 1950s blush prom they sold. Taking that concept, they have designed the other seven dresses based on original ones they've bought, and sold, over the years. The dresses were inspired by names the sisters came across when they researched vintage slang and gangster speak. The dresses are available in sizes 8-26 and you can view a behind-the-scenes video of their shoot made by filmmaker Ronan McMeelin on vimeo.com/190539021.

When it comes to saying 'I do', Kathy, who was married before the sisters opened their store, says: "The 1950s prom styles have always been my favourites so I'd have to pick one of the shorter dresses. The Holly Go Lightly has an amazing neckline and fun, full skirt." For her wedding, Caroline wore a 1940s white dress with shoulder pads and a V-neck. Happily married Caroline says: "If I was doing it again, I would definitely wear the Tallulah."

Main photo above: Left to right - 1. The Society Dame, €1,400: Ivory lace wedding gown with long sleeves, detachable tulle train and also available with a removable collar (not shown) 2. The Cherry Pie, €1,150: Blush lace tea-length bridal dress with pleated tulle full skirt worn with Cherry Pie Blush beaded comb, €140, and antique cream lace and tulle veil, €185  3. The Dollface, €850: Ivory lace illusion top tea length wedding dress with Mikado satin skirt and crystal buckle belt, pearl and rhinestone headpiece, €180 4. The Holly Go Lightly, €1,350: Lace and tulle sweetheart tea-length wedding dress with removable tulle shawl and beaded belt crystal chandelier earrings, €95 5. The Tallulah, €1,295: Full-length ivory draped-column gown with slash sleeves ending in deep crystal button cuffs, low V-back with crystal, beaded chain detail and bespoke crystal bridal turban, €240 6. The Sweetie Darling, €1,500: Ivory satin sweetheart gown with train and rose gold beaded collar, bespoke rhinestone comb, €140, 1960s gold and rhinestone drop earrings, €110 7. The Smitten Kitten, €795: Ivory tulle ballet-length bridal dress with shimmering sequinned illusion top, 1950s Aurora Borealis rhinestone earrings, €80 8. Cat's Meow, €1,500: Oyster silk stain full-length gown with draped rhinestone shoulder loops and low back, bespoke crystal swirl headpiece, €180, 1950s silver and rhinestone earrings, €110

Bridal dresses and accessories: Dirty Fabulous, 21 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2.  Telephone (01) 611 1842,  dirtyfabulous.com

Photography: Táine King, tainekingphotography.com

Wardrobe and Styling: Kathy and Caroline of Dirty Fabulous

Make Up: Lynn McNally, facebook.com/idomakeupireland

Hair Styling: Michelle and Sinead of Serenity Hair and Beauty Monaghan, facebook.com/SerenityHairandBeautySalonLtd

Location: Hilton Park, Co Monaghan, hiltonpark.ie

Weekend Magazine, words by Bairbre Power

Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin wearing Dirty Fabulous: Weekend Magazine, Irish Independent

Featured on February 1st 2015

Wearing 1950's water colour floral wiggle dress with sequins and 1950's white patent evening bag.

For the full article read here

Bairbre Power on Closet Maintenance

Image by Emily Quinn

This is a recent feature in the Irish Independent Weekend Magazine on the 25th of January 2015. Written by the wonderful Bairbre Power with some helpful tips from our very own Caroline!

It's true that wire hangers are only for breaking into cars - our clothes deserve more respect. They should be stored on wooden or padded hangers, and trousers and skirts are best suspended from clippy ones....

This week, I'm proselytising like a born-again closet convert after in-depth research with specialists about how we should store and maintain our clothes to get maximum, contented use. Did you know that dry cleaners caution against storing your clothes inside their plastic because it can lead to condensation and damage?

When was the last time you polished your shoes properly and fed the leather? I remember lovingly applying saddle soap to my favourite cowboy boots as a student but with work and motherhood, diligent wardrobe maintenance went out the window.

That's all changed now with my New Year's resolution for closet love. I've de-cluttered, hoovered it out, and bought lots of acid-free tissue paper for wrapping around my clothes - crucial when packing if you want to arrive wrinkle-free. I've invested in cedar blocks to hang with my clothes in the fight against moths. My garments can now breathe as they are spaced out so that I can actually see them, and I've pledged to dry-clean my coats before putting them away until next autumn.

Remember how your granny always kept a clothes brush near the front door for last-minute grooming? I've now assembled a nice family of brushes including a horse hair one, two shoes brushes, a suede brush (my favourite), an old toothbrush for delicate stains and a paint brush for dusting beaded clutches. I've a lint roller and a battery-operated pilling machine for knitwear that balls up, but I prefer to use the pumice stone that a friend gave me - there will be no more using disposable razors to shave my cashmere cardis.

I'm thrilled at the imminent arrival of a new steamer and, if I have to use an iron, I'll do it on the inside, to prevent marks, especially on lapels and shoulders. I've become best pals with the cobbler in Tara Leathers on Talbot Street and Tara Street. I now box my shoes; no more piles at the bottom of the wardrobe. I won't wear the same shoes on every consecutive day (experts recommend you don't wear them more than twice a week) and new shoes will get protective soles before I take a single step. I'm finding it very therapeutic applying shoe polish like my dad, Billie, did (army training, I suspect) moving it around in tiny circles like a French polisher before swooping with a polishing cloth. I never knew there was a special 'Parade Gloss' prestige polish by Kiwi for super-shiny boots. Can't wait to use that!

I knew that trick about washing jeans inside out to maintain their colour and I've resolved that there will be no drying items on the radiator. I've pledged to go back to drying wet jumpers by rolling them up in a towel, and I've bought Woolite for hand-washing. I want to get my pearls re-knotted and I've bought a €5 packet of earring backs so I don't lose any more earrings. Now if only I can stop losing left hand gloves - which is all the more weird because I'm right handed!

Favourite finds

The €2 packet of pre-threaded needles from Tiger Stores, like the ones you get in 5-star hotels. Perfect if you have an unexpected hem collapse/loose button.

Marks & Spencer sell stain wipes, €1.20, in the supermarket that I've found really effective. They also sell silk stain wipes in their menswear department for €7.

Practical Princess Perfect Wardrobe by Elika Gibbs, published by Ryland Peters & Small at €15.99, is handy book with lots of wise advice on everything from the de-clutter edit to putting clothes in storage. Clever lady, I highly recommend it!

Shiny happy people

Caroline Quinn MacCann from the splendid specialist vintage store Dirty Fabulous, on Dublin's Wicklow Street, regularly spends Sunday afternoon polishing her collection of patent shoes and bags using a soft cloth. She also uses a little Vaseline to keep patent leather supple.

If make-up lands on vintage clothes, Caroline spot cleans them but if it is a persperation stain, "you absolutely must get it dry-cleaned because it is biological stains that will damage a dress long term," she warns.

If you are putting something away for a long time that is heavily beaded, store it flat. If it is a heavily-beaded dress and you are only going to wear once or twice a year, store it flat in acid-free tissue paper. That will keep the dress in better condition because there is no extra weight hanging off the fabric.

Caroline stores her handbags in a drawer in dust bags, while I store mine flat. If you don't have that space, store them in dust bags or pillow cases. Stuff soft bags with tissue or scarves and socks - things that you don't need regularly - just to keep the shape. Don't store heavy things on top of each other, it will dent the leather - especially patent leather which can get dented very easily. Store these bags upright stuffed so the shape is correct, and in dust bags.

If the interiors of bags get stained, you can get them dry-cleaned. "If it is make-up, I would try a babywipe first or you can get a dry-cleaning fluid for silk ties and just rub it on with a cotton bud," says Caroline. 

For paste jewellery, Caroline warns to be careful. "I wouldn't overrub them. Use a soft, dry cloth. Some people clean with vinegar, Coca Cola and even WD-40 for verdigris," she says.

21 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2, (01) 611 1842, dirtyfabulous.com

Watch and learn

For more clothing care and maintenance tips, be sure to watch Bairbre's advice slot with Anna Daly on TV3's Ireland Am next Monday at 8.45am

Twitter: @bairbrepower

Irish Independent

The Young Designer Of The Year Show

Last night we had the pleasure of attending Dublin Fashion Festivals Young Designer of The Year Show.

The event took place in the court yard of The Bank of Ireland, College Green. It was a pretty jaw dropping setting and one that added to the excitement of seeing such a creative and inspiring show!

Myself and Caroline had wrapped up quite well as the show was outside but in was a surprisingly mild September evening! 

Striking images by top photographer Barry McCall of  Claire Lynams' 2013 winning design flanked the catwalk.

Caroline wore a 1960's Lilli Ann turquoise swing coat with a 70's ivory rayon dress underneath whilst I wore an early 1950's slate grey taffeta swing dress. I have this dress nearly 10 years and I absolutely love it, it's had so much wear!

One of our favourite duos Brendan Courtney and Sonya Lennon presented the fashion show which included a peak at their new Lennon Courtney collection.

Caroline and I had a frank discussion on which pieces we had dibs on, we loved them all!

Can you make out the drone capturing all the action from above? It was a first for us!

In terms of fashion I definitely think we'll be seeing a lot more of all the young designers. There were a lot of outfits that you could just imagine being worn by celebrities such as Rhianna, Lady Gaga, Katie Perry and Jessie J.

This was one rocking look by Sophie Wallace

This poptastic number was by Cliodhna Scully

Making a statement by Caroline Martin

Then there were some sculptural, edgy designs in tones of black and grey. 

 Designed by Sookyoung Song

Designed By Brid MCcDonald

The leather look was played with by several designers

Designed by Marian Witcher

Designed by Suzanne Stroker

This dress drew lots of oohs and ahhs!

Designed by Rebecca Kenny

Myself and Caroline had a few favourites:

Caroline was crazy about this ombre teal and cream wool creation designed by Claire McElduff

Whereas I wanted this geometric full skirt and crop top ensemble that screamed reimagined 1950's to me. Oh my...I loved it!!! 

Designed by Geraldine Breen

 We were both in lust after this canary yellow trouser suit with statement neckpiece. 

This is absolutely red carpet material. Rhianna? Beyonce? Are you paying attention?

Designed by Gwen Cunningham

The judges had a difficult task to choose just one winner but after style aficionados such as Bairbre Power and Barry McCall had a good pow wow in the Evoke.ie bus the decision was made.

The winner of the night was the very talented Ciaran Gormley who created this cobalt blue, thigh high, knitted dress. 

Images courtesy of Jerry McCarthy

Below are a few stunning pieces from Lennon Courtney's new collection 

I need this in my life

So, so, so, and so again...beautiful!

Another favourite of ours. I'll be running to the Central Dairy at the weekend!

So that's all for now, hope you enjoyed that visual feast as much as we did, next up, the Creative Quarter Fashion Show.

The Weekend Magazine - Independent Saturday 29th December

I was absolutely delighted to be asked to feature in a recent piece in The Weekend magazine titled

One Little Black dress Equals Four Looks

Four bloggers and Stylists were asked to transform a simple black pencil dress from Zara into different looks which could take you to a party, wedding or the races.

Stylist Maria Fusco, Yvonne Crotty from Bonzie Designs, model/stylist Dee Morrisey and myself all chose completely different looks that showcased how we would update a little black dress (a must for every girls wardrobe!).

I stuck to my vintage roots with a look that harked back to the 1950s. I teamed the black pencil dress with a vibrant turquoise 1950s' bolero and ruched evening gloves, rhinestone earrings, brooch and bracelet and a 1960s black velvet and crystal clutch bag. I topped it of with a fabulous blue floral headband with dotty black cage veil also from the 50's. (all available from Dirty Fabulous) 

The black patent loafers are from Fitzpatrick's on Grafton Street. 

The stunning Clara McSweeney from Andrea Roche Model Agency knows how to rock a retro look!

Maria Fusco, Myself and Yvonne Crotty having fun on the shoot!

Fashion Editor: Bairbre Power

Photography: Emily Quinn

Clara's Hair:  Gary Kavanagh, creative director, Peter Mark

Clara's Make-up: Audrey Bourke for MAC