Welcome to my addiction...The Amazing Collar Collection

Not so long ago Caroline did a post on her coat addiction and now I want to share my insatiable lust for statement necklaces! 

Anyone who knows me is aware of my magpie tendencies and I swear it's an actual uncontrollable illness...Caroline has often mentioned that she's going to stage an intervention but so far I've avoided it!

My wall literally drips with statement necklaces... I've picked them up on our buying trips, from the high street, online and received them as gifts. I'll wear them with jumpers and jeans, dresses, t-shirts and shirts. I pretty much wear one every second day. I find that if I'm hanging around the house being a mum and playing with my boys in something super casual I'll throw one on to feel a little more glamorous and a little more like myself!

I have pearl ones

chunky crystal ones

gold ones

colourful ones

 long ones

vintage beaded ones

larger ones

Fabric ones

and even feather ones

of course I've some rarer, vintage ones. 

This is a 1960's rhinestone collar that is one of my cherished pieces. I've worn it so many times but it's a piece I keep returning too. It's probably my most expensive statement necklace but the investment was totally worth it!

The latest addition to my collection was a Christmas pressie from my lovely friend Karen. I wore it yesterday and I think it's awesome.

I haven't even included these ones!

Do you think I have a problem? Hmmm...maybe I do but please, please, please don't stop me. Don't they say you have to want to change when dealing with an addiction, well I just don't want to!!!

Even with this vast collection I would still find myself thinking that I don't have the right necklace for a certain outfit. Meaning: there is definitely room to expand...

Bright Young Things

How much fun does Lisa's wedding look! The colours are just breathtaking and totally unique!

Lisa came to us in search of a vintage wedding dress that was a little different and we were delighted to help her pick this draped ivory gown with attached cape and high lace neck. From there we searched for bridesmaids options that would tie in beautifully with her wedding gown. Colours were important as were dresses the girls would feel comfortable and glamorous in.

These pretty and elegant full length gowns were the perfect combination with Lisa's dress.

After the bride and bridesmaid were decided upon we then sourced this gorgeous purple gown for Lisa's mum. We teamed it with a vintage beaded cape and created a bespoke headpiece to complete her look. Not the traditional mother-of-the-bride look at all but absolutely gorgeous!

For a flourish of bridal elegance Lisa wore a bespoke Dirty Fabulous headpiece and 1960's pearl drop earrings. 

Exquisite and graceful!

How stunning is this picture of Lisa and her new hubby! I love his button hole too.

The colour of her Dirty Fabulous fur cape was perfection and kept any chills at bay!

What an amazing setting for some post ceremony pics!

So these bright young things looked like they had a blast right? 

Love the colours, love the camper van, love everything about it really!

Congrats to Lisa and her new hubby

Come back and see us soon!

The Dirty Fabulous story so far!

Vintage, fashion and style are ingrained in our blood! Despite not having an inkling that as sisters we would open a business together, looking back it seems it was destined to happen! We traveled the world searching for the finest vintage collections and then spent a year researching and developing our ideas.

It feels like many moons ago but Dirty Fabulous opened it's doors in 2008 a little outside the city centre on Lower Baggot Street. 

We were on the second floor of a lovely Georgian building in a quiet area but we adored our little slice of vintage heaven! When first opened we worked seven days a week non-stop trying to establish our business and spreading the Dirty Fabulous word.  Luckily we went from strength to strength as the ladies of Ireland (and further a field) began to truly embrace our love of all things vintage.

Then at the beginning of 2010 disaster struck as a fire in the building destroyed our little business. 

After the shock we took a few weeks to grieve and decide what was our next move was . We toyed with the idea of not opening again but after a huge outpouring of support and love from our customers, family and friends we knew the Dirty Fabulous had to come back with a bang!

We found a cute little first floor space in a Victorian building an 21 Wicklow Street in the heart of the Creative Quarter. I'll think you'll agree it's pretty unrecognisable as the Dirty Fabulous you know and love!

Caroline explained her concept for our new location in detail to her now husband, Peter who created the following sketches. 

They were pretty perfect!

We wanted to differentiate between the two boutiques and make our new location a little more quirky less 'old world'.

So we got to work!

Myself and mum made the curtains, with a little help from the cat. 

Ta daaaaaaaaaaaah!

Dirty Fabulous is an integral part of our lives. 

A lot of events are prepared for after work in the store!

Kathy's 30th, handsome husbands in tow!

Caroline's 40th!

Our family has grown in size....

Kathy now has 2 boys: Charlie who's 1 and Ruben who's 3.

Our collection has grown!

We got ourselves a 'Breffni', who joined us as an intern and is now an integral part of our family! We've also squeezed in a few different hairstyles!

And then nearly two years ago we lost our beautiful Mum. 

So much has changed since 2008 but our love of vintage and dedication to Dirty Fabulous and all our lovely customers has only grown stronger. Dirty Fabulous is so much more than a business, it's a vital part of our lives and totally dynamic. We have constant plans, ideas and dreams for Dirty Fabulous so you'll just to tag along with us as we discover what's next!!!

  

Little Lace Dream!

There are so many dresses in Dirty Fabulous that I love and the one that Aoife chose for her recent special day was one of them!

It was a soft cream, late 1920's early 30's style dress, with a drop waist and rhinestone clasp on the neck. To me it was the perfect length, had a lovely covered sleeve and was constructed of a beautiful lace and Swoon...Aoife wore it to perfection! 

Congratulations on you recent wedding, you looked stunning!