Papermoon Bridal Collection on Film

We are so in love with this film!!!

It was shot by our friend, filmmaker; Ronan Mc Meel in the glorious surroundings of Hilton Park House in Co. Monaghan.

The video captures the playful essence of our new vintage inspired bridal collection, Papermoon.

There was such a huge and talented team involved in making this. We'd love to thank them all once more!!!

A super Dirty Fab thanks to Cait, Laura, Ustina, Lorraine, Airida, Miriam, Joanne and Ellen.

To make-up artist Lynn and hair stylists Michelle and Sinead your work was incredible! 

We'd have been lost without Barry!

One last massive thanks to Ronan for interpreting Carolines' storyboards and idea's flawlessly.

Hope you enjoy our film and if you've any problems viewing it you can also see it here 

If you'd like to see our new collection contact us on 01 6111842 or hello@dirtyfabulous.com to book your appointment.

  

What To Expect During Your Dirty Fabulous Bridal Appointment

If you are beginning your bridal shopping you might be finding the whole experience a little daunting.
You mightn't be sure what to expect from a private appointment which can leave you apprehensive and reluctant to book in anywhere.

Rest assured Dirty Fabulous is here to make certain you have the most enjoyable time possible! Let us take you step by step through the whole appointment process:

 Audrey Hepburn 

Booking Your Appointment
You can arrange your appointment by phone on  +353 (1) 6111842 or email on info@dirtyfabulous.com. You can also message us on our Facebook page. Feel free to ask as many queries as you want before booking. We're here to help you!
Our busiest appointment dates are our late evenings, Fridays and Saturdays which all tend to book up between 3 and 6 weeks in advance.
We're sorry but we don't open on Sundays or Mondays (in order to keep us bright eyed and bushy tailed your Dirty Fabulous team needs some much needed RnR!!!)
Our appointments last an hour and you'll have the place to yourself.
Appointments are totally free and completely enjoyable, we only ask that you let us know in advance if you need to cancel or change as we have lots of lovely brides waiting in the wings on a cancellation list.
If you'd like to see inside our boutique just take a look here. Dirty Fabulous is located in the heart of the Creative Quarter in Dublin (just off Grafton Street).
We're on a first floor so you will need to navigate some steps.

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What Should I Bring With Me?
You can of course arrive as you are but if you'd prefer to be fully prepared then it's useful to bring any or all of the following:

• A strapless bra and a good supportive bra in ivory/white/nude. But have no fear, if you visit us in your black or polka dot bra that's totally ok too!!!
• Shoes for trying on if you have a pair in mind. We have nude heels in the shop in all sizes for our brides to use so this only applies if you have a specific heel size in mind or you already have your shoes.
• If you have any images on your phone of any bridal looks you had in mind we'd be delighted to have a peak.
• If your appointment is for a headpiece then it's super helpful to have a sample of your dress fabric and an idea (photo is preferable) of your hairstyle on the day. If you can bring your wedding dress with you then that's even better!

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What Should I not Bring?

• If you could refrain from wearing fake tan for your appointment we'd be really grateful as it does tend to mark our dresses. Our dresses are all one of a kind and not samples so we love keeping them as pristine as possible.
• Heavy make-up - although this is totally up to yourself. I for one can't go downstairs in the morning without having my face on! We have funny little pop-on make-up protectors for you to wear when pulling the dresses on over your head. So if you are having a lovely day in town and need your full face on then we can work around that!

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Who Can I Bring With Me?

• For the most part this is up to you. Some people arrive solo so they aren't overwhelmed by a million opinions, whilst others like to bring a gaggle of gals! (guys are welcome too but we don't see many!).
• In terms of space in little ol' Dirty Fabulous we can hold about a maximum of 6 people and that's quite a squeeze. We'd really recommend no more than 3. 
• Having too many people who all suggest you try on different things can take away from your valuable YOU time and can make it harder to find the perfect dress. 
• Bring people who's opinion you trust and who know your style. We've seen it time and time again were a bride falls in love with her dress but then is told by someone in her appointment party that they don't like it because it isn't a big white traditional dress. Que crestfallen bride!!!
• Sometimes those important people you really want there, can't make your appointment time but don't worry, you can always come back on another appointment to show your best gals any dress you're smitten with.

Coco Chanel fitting one of her designs

What Can I Expect During My Appointment

• Our undivided attention!
• When you come in to Dirty Fabulous we'll ask you a few questions about when your wedding is and what style of wedding dress (if any) you had in mind. This will give us an idea of what dresses to suggest for you to try on.
•  As most of our dresses are one of a kind vintage pieces and aren't measured in standard sizes we'll take your waist measurements. We do have a growing selection of reproduction wedding dresses that are available to order in and your measurements will help us pick the best size for you to try.
• We'll invite you to have a good look through the rails to show us anything you like the look of. Then we'll pull out some gorgeous frocks which we think will suit your shape and style.
• During your hour appointment we'll try dresses of different lengths and styles which are from many different eras. We'll also try you in some of our new dresses.
• For any dress that you really like we'll add lots of finishing touches like veils, cover-ups and jewellery. Those you don't we'll whizz through (no point wasting your precious time!)
• Here's one that most people find surprising: YOU CAN TAKE AS MANY PHOTOGRAPHS AS YOU LIKE! We'd love for you to take pictures of the dresses you love. It'll help you remember what each outfit looks like and believe me after a few appointments in one day your head will be spinning!
• For a headpiece or accessory appointment we'll have a quick little consultation to hear any of your ideas then we'll begin trying on lots of options. Again feel free to be snap happy!

So that's it! Dirty Fabulous offers a very relaxed, fun and glamorous time that we're pretty confident you'll enjoy. We really hope you find your dream bridal dress or accessories with us but don't fret it you don't. You can always visit us again when new stock arrives. 

And, even if you had a wonderful experience but think that vintage is not for you we'd love it if you'd spread the Dirty Fabulous word... that's all we ask!

The Blushing Bride!

Nothing makes us happier than seeing our vintage dresses being worn by our brides. Our dresses are like our babies and we like to see how they shine when they leave our store.
Katie's bridal look made us beam like proud parents!!!

She chose a 1950's blush, tea length gown with lace detailing and a bespoke comb with birdcage veil. She looked absolutely incredible, don't you think! The blush colour was wonderful with her complexion and hair colour. The pictures are just soooooooo Pretty!

Congratulations to Katie and her new hubby. 

Meet Rosa: Vintage hair and make-up Goddess!

Oooh what a vintage glamourpuss you are! Why don't you tell us a little about yourself and what you do:

Hi Dirty Fabulous! I'm Rosa and I'm a vintage hair and makeup artist in Cork. I have a service which provides cool ladies with glamorous old fashioned looks, ranging from period correct to vintage inspired styles. I am an old school addict in my personal life and work life, I live in a big Victorian house which we call Wuthering Heights. It's filled with trinkets and surreal art projects, a Tim Walker inspired haven!

So you're a vintage hair and make-up styling queen! What's the most popular vintage look or era your asked to recreate?

That would be a tie between the very 1940's classic sculpted waves (think Rita Hayworth, Dita Von Teese) and softer 1930's inspired upstyles. The 1930's in a popular look at the moment, the hair is up but sits just on the nape of the neck, the front is soft but still has that s-wave which is vintage through and through! Both styles as well lend themselves to all manner of headpieces and veils.

Is there any look your just dying to have a bride ask you for? Or is there something different you'd love to see them try?

Personally I love doing fake bobs and victory rolls! More and more brides are doing real vintage (not just inspired) looks which I adore. I would also like to see some more big 60's hair, think Priscilla Presley when she married Elvis! Big and unapologetic.

Rosa working on a Dirty Fabulous shoot!

You're super busy and in demand so how much notice does a bride need to give to get a trial or book you for her wedding?

It's always worth enquiring! I see some stylist saying they are half booked up for 2016 but that's not how I do it. The most popular dates go quickly but there's always a chance I'll be free, some people have given me 6 weeks notice but most people get in touch 6 months before! 

I like people to come for a trial a couple of months before the wedding so they are really settled on their look and headpiece. Weddings can be so overwhelming when you start to worry about if you've made the right decisions! I really noticed this when I did my sisters hair for her wedding...we tried 5 styles over the space of 5 months before eventually settling on the first one we chose. 

This lovely bride of Rosa's wore a Dirty Fabulous 1940's wedding dress and birdcage veil for her wedding.

What other events do you do vintage styling for?

Oh anywhere and everywhere! It's a popular choice for big birthday parties, christmas parties and hen parties! I also do themed events such as vintage fairs. I take appointments in Brocade and Lime which is a vintage inspired boutique in Cork. We have a beautiful beauty parlour in there which is
like stepping back in time!

Personally, I can't leave the house with out red lipstick. What's your favourite shade of red lipstick? Can anyone wear red lipstick or are there certain skin tones that should avoid it? How do you avoid any mistakes when applying? 

I am a rather fickle when it comes to my reds so it's hard to pick a favourite. In my handbag at the moment I have Red Velvet from Besame Cosmetics (a vintage inspired line), Ruby Woo from Mac, So Marilyn from Charlotte Tilbury and from Rouge entincelle from Lancome. You are never fully dressed without your red lipstick! And I literally carry about a handbag of them. (I have to agree, I feel naked without mine!)

I really believe everyone can wear red! Lipliner always helps make it look more glamorous than clown-like, start by putting on only a little and build it up. Put more product in the centre of the lips and smudge it out into a stain but make sure the cupids bow is always distinct. Blondes should go for blue based red to start, brunettes and red heads look lovely in a real true red that brightens the face. Glosses can look a little cheap by themselves but matte textures are always fabulous. Lip brushes and lipcoat will stop you from getting it all over your face (although I somehow always manage to!)

The absolute must have make-up product for any aspiring vintage vixen?

The obvious one is of course your black eyeliner! It takes time and effort to find what works best for you but once you do you'll be set for life. Mine is Mac liquid last. Super long wearing, pitch black, not for the faint of heart. A good foundation which makes you looks flawless is a must, resist the urge to go darker then your skin tone! Don't forget your hair though, Elnett is unparelled in my book!

Any tips on how to create a perfect flick of eyeliner?

I have a couple of little tricks I use, for instance always do the first brush stroke with both your eyes open and looking in the mirror. Do a thin one along the eyelashes and draw it out and up. Try and decide what angle will pull your eyes up and make them look open and almond shaped. Decide where you want the flick to end and join the centre of the eyelid to that point. Add mascara and false lashes for a very pinup look.

Where do you get your inspiration from for vintage looks?

I spend a lot of time online looking at pictures of beautiful ladies! Both past and present! If I'm looking for images to show brides or clients I like to work with films and TV references. You get a better feel of a persons taste and how they want to appear if they say "Give me a Lady Mary look","I want to look like Kiera Knightly in Atonement" or "I love Rachel Mcadams in the Notebook!".

If I'm feeling uninspired by my own look I'll have a google of Dita Von Teese or Ulyana Seergenko..there's an Austrian  designer called Lena Hoschek whose collections are always amazing and styled in a 1940s-1950's way. I love the old glamour mixed with a splash of modern sex appeal. People worry that "old fashioned" equals "frumpy" but I think it's striking and a sign of a confident sexy woman to experiment with your look!

Any online blogs, books or reference points that you'd recommend for inspiration?

It may be cliched at this point but Pinterest is such a good tool and you can pretty much find anything! I always tell brides to follow me and check out the images I have of past work. Facebook and Instagram are the best places to really see incredible vintage hair and makeup. There are hair and makeup artists all over the world as well as very stylish ladies just waiting to inspire you!  Keep an eye out for pages that post images of everyday life, like in the past. Try to remember as well that people rocking these looks on a daily basis are a better inspiration then stylized photo shoots! Audrey Hepburn may look amazing in that photo but she didn't have to walk down the street in real life. Some styles look amazing when you're artfully draped over a sofa but won't translate to your wedding day!

 Tell us a bit about your own style. Do you wear vintage all the time? Would it be original or reproduction?

Around 6 years ago I made a decision to not own anything I wouldn't be proud to be seen in! I got rid of baggy t-shirts and "comfort" clothes because I realised I would end up wearing them out the front door and then really wishing I hadn't! At this point I'm almost entirely vintage/vintage inspired. I love vintage but as my work can be messy it's important to have a stash of look-a-likes to see me through a full days work. I am a big fan of the 1930's and 1940's, I love the shapes! Although of course I end up in every era, you have to just go with what you like.

Sitting around the house and having a lazy day you're most likely to be wearing:

Bag lady chic! If I'm home I'll have my pincurls in, a headscarf, my black wool cigarette pants, a neat knitted jumper and kimono for warmth. You can imagine the face the meter man makes when I answer the door!

Big night out with the girls and you're most likely wearing:

I'm all about the glamorous! Something skin tight and black usually, seamed stockings and my Vivienne Westwood handbag for some hard wear! Perhaps something sparkly in my hair and some fur on top. I do adore my vintage furs!

Going for a stroll with your beau on a romantic weekend:

A knee length wool skirt, a pretty patterned silk blouse and cardigan. Maybe a beret to make me feel like I'm in the Resistance. Some little lace up boots and a heavy camel coat to keep the chill out!

Now wasn't that amazing! Thanks Rosa for having a good oul chin-wag with Dirty Fabulous. We're big fans, loving your styling and all the tips. For more information on Rosa head on over to her gorgeous site and do make sure you follow her old fashioned glamorous goings on's on her blog. Now I feel the need to get my hands on some cigarette pants and a beret....

Dirty Fabulous Gift Vouchers

We have gorgeous themed gift vouchers for any occassion, have a look at our website for more information or phone us now on 01 6624249. Dirty Fabulous aims to take the chore out of shopping and put the glamour in!