Blog entries in "Fashion"
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Mystical Wonder Wedding Palette
This wedding palette is all about mystical, mythical, whimsical wedding wonder – we dare you to say that fast. Looking at Kate Moss’ wedding makes us think that all other weddings are meant to be like it! With its layers of bohemian wonder, unusual styles and fabulous headdresses, really what’s not to love about all things wedding whimsy? For this look, ruffles are an absolute must, flowers should be everywhere, and vintage is your go-to trend. By adding a quirky couple your nuptials will scream fanciful.
By Amy Croffey
Images clockwise from top left: Elisabeth Millay Photography | Shaw Shots | Kate Moss Wedding Image Courtesy of Vogue | Thomas Gear | WeddingsOnline Shop - Love Letters €16 | Flower Flair | Elisabeth Millay Photography | Gina at Brown Thomas | Girl in Cup Lissy Elle Photo | PlanMyParty.ie | Finer Details |
See more wedding colour/theme palettes!
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Step-by-Step Bridal Beauty by Sian Sharkey & Alyson Smyth
Hair stylist Sian Sharkey styled beautiful bride Helen’s hair into a bridal masterpiece, complete with elegant, traditional curls, vintage accessories pins and finger waves. Helen's make-up artist, Alyson Smyth, kept her look classic with flawless skin, a soft smoky eye and natural lips.
How I achieved Helen's bridal hair, by Sian Sharkey:
"Helen had long hair past her shoulders and was inspired by vintage, classic hairstyles. To start, I sprayed Helen's hair with Label M Superstar Spray (see below) and dried it in to the hair so it wasn't too silky. I then curled all the hair with a GHD, pin-setting the front section where I was going to secure the finger waves.
I sectioned the hair in two parts - front and back. Backcombing the roots and dusting with Label M Resurrection Dust, I began to secure the back section into the shape I wanted to achieve, spraying with Bed Head Masterpiece Hairspray as I went.
I then brushed the top section, maintaining the height Helen wanted and secured, to blend with the back.
I took out the pin set and shaped the hair into the finger waves at the front. This can be a slow process and requires patience! Spraying and pinning and spaying again, then removing the pins on view when the hair has set in position.
Finally, I added her vintage hair accessory - a vintage broach from Jenny Vander and her veil!"
Contact Sian about your wedding day: Website | Email | Phone: 086 8819600
Hair products used - Bed Head Masterpiece Hairspray | Label M Resurrection Dust | Label M Superstar SprayHow I achieved Helen's bridal make-up look, by Alyson Smyth:
"Helen chose a vintage style with her hair, so I kept her make-up really classic with flawless skin, a soft smoky eye and a natural lip.
I applied Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Foundation in Sunny Beige, which gives a fantastic natural, all-day coverage. I used MAC Powder Blush in Swoon on the cheeks creating a gorgeous shape to her face.
For extra definition on Helen’s eyes, I applied some temporary individual lashes from the outer corner of her eyes across to the centre.
Eyeshadows used were MAC Brule, Satin Lights, Espresso and MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist – these colours combined were used for the glam factor!
To complete Helen’s classic, elegant look, I kept her lips soft by using MAC Dervish Lip Liner and nice Buzz Lip Gloss to keep the colour in place for longer!"
Contact Alyson about your wedding day: Website | Email | Phone: 086 8107969
Make-up products used (clockwise) - Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Foundation in Sunny Beige | MAC Powder Blush in Swoon | Buzz Lip Gloss | MAC Dervish Lip Liner | MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist | MAC BruleWedding Photographs by Naoise Culhane of Maxwell Photography
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Heels fit for a Bride!
We just love heels. Maybe it's the way they make you stand straighter and taller, so you look more confident and dare we say, slimmer too? So a good pair of shoes on your wedding day is an absolute must! It might sound a bit clichéd, but more than anything else in the world, being you and showing off your personal style is one of the most important things for any bride! Keeping all that in mind, we found attention-grabbing shoes for those who like to take risks, classic heels for those who don't, and the perfect pumps for the brides in between! By Amy Croffey
“It’s hard not to be sexy in a pair of high heels!”
— Tom FordShow-stopping Heels
Clockwise from top left: Dune | Dune | Stuart Weitzman, €335 from Brown Thomas | Carvella, €180 from Brown Thomas | Badgley Mishka
We love something that little bit different like the shoes above. They're all in great pastel shades, which makes them a safe'ish option but with that little bit extra. Check out the gold shoe boots from Dune above, perfect for a fashion forward bride with a high-low gown or a dress with a thigh-high slit, because these shoes are for showing off, especially when matched with bright red toes!
Classic Heels
Clockwise from top left: Rachel Simpson available from Bella Bleu Vintage Bridal | Rainbow Club available from B Couture Bridal; The Bridal Emporium; Dance World | Swan by Badgley Mishka | Protocol Bridal | Monsoon, €110Classic bridal shoes will always be in style, so if you're not feeling the colourful hues, but want something to make you stand out, opt for a pair with some extra details. We just love Rachel Simpson's ivory heels with bow details available from Bella Bleu Vintage Bridal or Badgley Mishka's white and diamante detailed shoes, which would look great with a hair-piece to match!
Colourful Heels
Hey Lady! available from Bella Bleu Vintage Bridal
Clockwise from top left: Carvella, €135 | KG, €195 | KG, €195 | KG, €195 - all available from Brown Thomas | Pumps with Bows from AccessorizeAll eyes will be on you on your wedding day, but if you team a pair of bright heels with your wedding gown, we promise not an eye in the house will stray from you all day! These shoes are loud and proud and they demand attention - as well as good balance! Wear a shade that matches your wedding theme and bridesmaids, or decide to follow a major current catwalk trend and go for a hue that totally clashes with the rest. Our favourite from above has to be the light blue, peep-toe KGs, if not for your something blue, then for your something fabulous!
For more amazing bridal styles in your area, see more Wedding Shoe Stockists!
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Colourful Wedding Nails
The traditional look for a bride was the French manicure – a style that’s classic and always looks elegant and refined. But more and more brides are now opting to mix it up a little by adding some colour to their overall look - and a striking nail polish is the perfect way to go!
Image by Brooke Courtney
The best colours to go for - if you don’t want your photos to age too much - are reds (bright or dark) or dark browns. Bright reds are fun and flirty and will really stand out to give you a cute and kitsch look, while dark reds and browns will look elegant and stylish without overshadowing the rest of your look.
If you are an ‘all or nothing’ type of bride, then consider going for a colour that’s a little more daring like neon pinks, bright yellows or even greens. You could also match your nails to you bridesmaids’ dresses or to your overall colour scheme.
Get your nails professionally done so as to ensure they are looking their best on the day and make sure to take really good care of your hands and nails in the run up to the wedding. Hand and nail creams, cuticle creams, a clear varnish and plenty of calcium should guarantee your nails are at their best when you go to the salon.
You can bring your own colour polish to the salon if you like, most manicurists won’t mind, however, make sure you invest in a great one because, unlike a French manicure, a chipped nail will be very noticeable while wearing blood red!
To get the wedding nails that are right for you see: Breda O'Neill - More Than Make-up; Blush - Nicola Walsh; Amelda Faherty Make Up Artist or the Pillo Hotel & Spa.
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A 1920s Flapper Girl's Wedding Theme
By Amy Croffey
If you decide to take a step back in time for your wedding theme, then there is no better time period than the roaring 1920s. This decade has a certain pizzazz like no other. Made up of an assortment of extravagant characters, pearls, fabulous flapper girls, feathers, pin-striped zoot suits, fedoras – this is a wedding theme that won’t be forgotten!
Clockwise from top left: Styling by Pearl and Godiva, image by Aspect Photography | A Piece of Cake | Made U Look | Stacey Hannan Designs | The Invite Inn | Sanyukta Shrestha | Wildflowers Photography | Wildflowers Photography |Related Content:
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The Perfect Day-After Summer Styles
By Amy Croffey
When you make your first post-nuptial appearance, you want to look chic and stylish because all eyes will still be on you, especially if you have planned a day-after the wedding brunch or BBQ, so here are some of our top looks. They are mostly high-street finds, so you’ll look fabulous without breaking the bank!
Images clockwise from left: Very.co.uk | Penneys €13 | Accessorize | Christian Louboutins |
Clockwise from left: Ted Baker blazer | Littlewoods.com | New Look €34.99 | Accessorize |
Clockwise from left: Next | M&S clutch | River Island dress | Ted Baker clutch | Dune | Bertie |
L-R: New Look | Very.co.uk | M&S
Clockwise from top left: Dune | Warehouse | Next | Accessorize |
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The Sexiest Valentine's Day Nightwear
Underwear shopping for the most part is a time consuming and often a downright boring aspect of being a sexy, well dressed and confident woman. There are seams and wiring to worry about, choices between lace and satin, and usually a decision to be made about whether being comfortable, looking good with clothes on or looking good with clothes off is the most important factor for the day. But every now and again we ladies get to have a bit of fun with what goes on underneath our clothes. Valentine's Day is a perfect time to pick up something a little more special, a little sexier, and perhaps a little more expensive than our typical uniform.
We’re often told that the only way to look sexy is to feel sexy, so this week why not treat yourself to some alluring intimates? We’ve picked some of our favourite pieces below that are bound to make you feel like a real glamour puss. And the best thing? He thinks it’s all for him! By Karen Birney
Main image: Stella McCartney via Asos.com, €251;
Underwear sets by Elle MacPherson Intimates, click for Irish Stockists; Lace pleated midi slip, Topshop.com, £46; Peach Ladder Seam Slip, Topshop.com, £65; Navy Embroidered Kimono, Topshop.com, £68Related Content
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Valentine's Day Gifts for Him
By Amy Croffey
Men don’t generally expect gifts on Valentine’s Day but when (and only when) they lavish you with dinner, flowers and expensive jewellery it is only fair that they get something in return. Right?
Men appreciate functional gifts much more than women do. Who really wants an iron or a new microwave for V Day? Not us! However, gifts like shavers, iPhone cases or coffee machines will be much appreciated by that handsome man in your life. More thoughtful, sentimental gifts like a shirt, a pair of cuff links or some aftershave will also be embraced with open arms as long as you remember that you are buying for him and not for you!
1. Personalised cufflinks from Cool Cufflinks on Etsy €24 | 2. Babyliss for men €81 | 3. Paul Smith ribbed socks €25 each | 4. Ralph Lauren pink Boxers €35 from Brown Thomas| 5. River Island shirt | 6. A vintage Nintendo iPhone case from Cafila Shop on Etsy €12 | 7. Allure Homme Sport Extreme €53 | 8. New Look bra & brief set a present you and him | 9. Nespresso Pixie Electric Machine €149 at Brown Thomas |
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10 Valentine's Day Looks for your Perfect Date Night
Like it or loath it, the day of love is just around the corner and here in WeddingsOnline we can’t help but feel a little romantic! We’ve decided to dedicate a few days to the feast of St. Valentine by choosing our favourite gifts for him and for her, the best date night ideas and the most gorgeous Valentine’s wedding day décor!
First up we’re picking 10 of our favourite date night outfits, so whether you celebrate with a dreamy night in a lavish restaurant, or a romantic night in with a movie and a take-away, we have a dress to suit the mood. By Karen Birney
Dinner & Cocktails
Cinema/Comedy Club
Cosy Night In
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Irish Designer Week: Project 51 Wedding Showcase
Project 51 is a modern style haven in Dublin City Centre, stocking the best in high-end Irish design.The store features a realm of Irish designers including those specialising in the fields of jewellery, millinery and accessories.
All this month they will be showcasing their wedding collections from Project 51 designers such as Caoimhe Keane, Jennifer Rothwell and Martha Lynn.
The showcase is made up of designers from the Project 51 collaborative as well as unique wedding suppliers ranging from flowers to cakes and stationery to event planning.
WeddingsOnline suppliers featured include florists Tiger Lily Flowers, event planners Plan My Party and, for the men, Aston Formal.
Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 7pm.
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Irish Designer Week: Martha Lynn Millinery
By Amy Croffey
Born in Co Roscommon, Martha Lynn is a young, passionate milliner based in Dublin. Her creations are a combination of traditional elements with a modern twist that she creates in her studio on 51 South William Street in Project 51.
Martha takes inspiration from everything and anything. “Each piece has been inspired by something different. It could be anything from materials to people,” she says.
Her designs are composed of simple clean lines. “I like to introduce a little element of excitement but I like to keep the design classic,” she adds.
Her most important advice for brides who are trying to find the perfect headpiece is to be comfortable and confident in what they are wearing and to consider the style of dress as well as the wedding theme.
On the issue of buying Irish, Martha believes that we all need to support each other. “In the current climate I think it’s really important to support and encourage Irish designers. With the right support we can continue to develop our designs and grow our business giving our customers a better quality and selection of products,” she says. “There is so much Irish talent. We really need to build on what we have.”
Martha tries to buy Irish materials as much as possible when creating her headpieces. At the moment, she is just selling her designs in Ireland but she also has customers in the UK, Australia and America.
For more information on Martha Lynn Millinery call 00 353 85 777 1641.
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Irish Designer Week: Marie McElheron Design
Marie McElheron has worked in the fashion industry in both Dublin and London for over 10 years. She now specialises in bridal design and is based in County Wicklow.
Marie describes the inspiration behind her latest wedding dress collection as slightly bohemian. “The cut remains simple but I’m a little more playful and creative with the design,” she says. “Rich embellishments of flowers and a mix of fabrics are part of each creation.”
Elegance
Marie’s signature style is a classic cut influence by Madeleine Vionnet who introduced it in the 1920s. “I believe less is more without sacrificing femininity or elegance,” she says. “Quality fabric is also very important. I only use silk in my collections.”
The celebrity Marie would most like to design for is Kate Moss because she believes her style is classic boho and she always looks effortless and comfortable in her playful and colourful style.
Marie’s advice for those who are starting to search for their dream wedding dress is to always keep an open mind and to start collecting ideas of what you like.
“Try on different styles to begin with and then narrow down your choices, most of all enjoy the experience,” says Marie.
When it comes to buying Irish, Marie thinks that most girls would consider it but they believe that having a dress custom-made by an Irish designer is very expensive which is not always the case.
“Buying Irish can only be a good choice. A lot of my clients are delighted to have chosen to buy from an Irish designer,” says Marie. “I work with brides-to-be up to a year before their wedding day so I get to know them very well and it’s a very special time and experience.”
Marie McElheron’s wedding dresses start at €800.
For more information contact Marie McElheron Bridal Design, Abbey House, Abbey Lane, Arklow, Co Wicklow or call 00 353 402 32818.
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Irish Designer Week: Edel Tuite
Edel Tuite is a well-known name in Ireland, renowned for her luxurious bridal gowns and bespoke service to brides. She aims to take the drama out of the wedding dress hunt by offering a highly personalised one-to-one service and start to finish wedding dress design and dress making service.
Grafton Acadamy graduate, Edel sharpened and expanded her skills by working with celebrated bridal designer Bridgette Moore. Her passion for design and flair for couture catapulted her into the bridal industry and she launched her own collection in 2001.
In 2008 Edel won Best Traditional Wedding Gown at the Irish Bridal Designer of the Year.
“Edel’s popularity is due to her reputation for creating unique, expertly crafted gowns that truly capture the beauty and spirit of a bride," says a Clients praise her honesty, professionalism and fun, friendly nature.”Edel prides on her personal service. She is fully aware of the needs of even the most discerning bride. Her customising service offers the opportunity to mix and match elements of any dresses her customers wish to emulate, from necklines, to fabrics, to lengths and details.
Edel’s specialises in natural silks which are especially good for girls getting married abroad in hot climates. Her new collection includes luxurious French laces, silk crepes, samouse Italian silk, chiffons and silk taffeta with her exclusive signature hand embellishments of hand beading and embroidery techniques.
Edel Tuite Bridal Design, Upper Mell, Drogheda, Co. Louth
To make an appointment with Edel call +353 41 987 2951 | 086 824 9575 or email edel@edeltuitedesign.com
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Irish Designer Week: Mia Elmes
Mia Elmes is a bridal designer with an admiration for understated elegance. As part of Irish Designer Week she speaks to Karen Birney about the importance of accentuating a woman's curves, of loving the suppliers you choose, and of supporting the Irish designer industry.
Graduate of Ireland’s centre for fashion design, The Grafton Academy, and the prestigious London College of Art, Mia Elmes first arrived on the designer stage with her contemporary ready-to-wear collection for Topshop Designers in 2005.
She built on the success of her flagship store commissions by establishing herself as an evening and bridal designer and soon garnered a name for her romantic, tailor-made designs and bespoke service.
Jane Eyre
Her bridal collection consists of sumptuous silk chiffons, antique embellished lace and soft lines. Her inspiration, she says, came from the eldest of the Bronte sisters.
“My signature style would probably be flowing chiffons and silk satins with simple, elegant tailoring," says Mia. "The romantic time of Jane Eyre was a great influence on my collection, when women wore fine silks to create beautiful, delicate silhouettes.”
The silhouette or ‘fall’ of a garment is of particular interest to Mia as she endeavours to construct complimentary garments to suit every shape and style. It is a task perfectly accomplished in her most favoured gown of her collection.
“My favourite gown is a silk and chiffon gown,” says Mia. (above left) “For me it reflects the importance of flowing shapes to accentuate the waist and glide over the hips to create an elegant silhouette.”
“The dress is perfect for a destination or summer bride when accessorised with simple flowers and a diamond headpiece. For a winter bride it would look stunning with a fur shawl and red roses.”
Bartering
Mia says she has noticed a ‘considerable rise’ in brides consulting Irish bridal designers in recent years, which is a welcome trend for home-based talents.
“This rise in interest is because the bride prefers to have the control of seeing her gown being made along the way and can change any design features throughout the process,” she says.
Another reason she believes brides are opting to go directly to designers is because they can often be bartered with.
“Irish designers are always willing to add in another feature or item so that the client will get better value for money,” she says. “I think it is important to support the Irish industry as there is a huge amount of incredible talent right on our doorstep!”
When it comes to finding the perfect dress for the big day, Mia believes that having a gown that suits your chosen venue and type of wedding is important. “Try to imagine the overall theme of your wedding,” she advises. “Bring together elements of different gowns by gathering images from magazines and sites.”
“It is important that you like the people you will be working with to have your gown made,” she adds, “so research your options and take the time to visit different shops and designers.”
Upstyling
With a past experience in fashion houses such as Ted Baker, Mia obviously has her ear to the ground when it comes to new trends in the fashion industry. The recent rise in the popularity of swap shopping and upstyling has meant Mia’s customising service is proving a very popular aspect of her work.
This budget-friendly service is perfect for guests who have more than one wedding to attend in a year and don’t want to purchase more than one dress.
Mia Elmes Bridal Couture, 11 Lakelands road, Upper Kilmacud road, Stillorgan, Dublin
To make an appointment with Mia, email info@miaelmes.com or phone 0861671523
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Irish Designer Week: Sarah Foy Designs
Sarah Foy is a home-grown talent. At Sarah Foy Designs she crafts fresh and exclusive bridal designs dreamed up and created in her personal studio in Clontarf, Dublin. As part of Irish Designer Week, WeddingsOnline editor Karen Birney speaks to Sarah about her influences and methods and why she thinks the future of the Irish design industry is in the hands of the designers themselves.
Sarah Foy's work has long been influenced by her years of travel, her immersion in the wider fashion industry and her experience elegantly dressing women in all their many forms. Her hand-made, one-of-a-kind, often eco-friendly gowns are born of a desire to create something timeless and familiar, yet fresh and distinctive.
“Simple, soft, feminine silhouettes really inspire my work,” she says. “I love designing pieces that at their core are elegant, but ultimately unique in some detail,”
This year, Sarah is looking to the laid-back glamour and elegant simplicity of the roaring 20s for inspiration.
“I have been influenced a lot this year by 1920s glamour,” she says, noting a penchant for liquid satins and detailed embellished pieces. “The effortless sophistication of that era really works well in bridal and evening wear.”
Sarah’s unique designs are a process, one that she strives to make exciting and pleasant for both her client and for herself.
At her little-piece-of-bridal-paradise in Clontarf, Sarah holds private one-to-one consultations where she invites brides to share their individual style, ideas, hopes and expectations.
A Partnership
The entire process is a partnership, a joint venture between bride and designer, where the bride's ideas are encouraged, her mind opened, and in the end, her dreams made real.
From the initial sketches, design selections and mock ups, to adjustments, fabric selections and final fittings, Sarah thoroughly examines the fit of the garment, so you feel flawless and confident when it comes to your moment to shine.
“We dress brides to suit their shape, style and personality,” says Sarah. “This makes one of the most important aspects of any bride's wedding day also one of the most enjoyable. “
When the cut is finalised, those extra delicate details are added in the form of individually covered buttons, hand beading and intricate lace embellishments. “We create a unique piece for each client,” she says, “spending time on the small details and always trying to consider the overall look for the day rather than just the dress we create,” says Sarah.
Sarah’s personal wedding service doesn’t stop there, she also designs for mother of the bride, bridesmaids and flower girls. What better person to entrust your mother and best friend to than another woman who knows you style intimately and will be with you every step of the way? "These outfits and dresses are all created to blend with the overall look of your wedding,” she says.
Buying Irish
“The bride’s focus should firstly be finding the dress for her,” Sarah replies when asked if a bride should consider buying Irish designs. “If that dress is Irish made then it is an added bonus."
Sarah believes the future of the Irish design industry however is in the hands of the industry members themselves. “I think as Irish designers, we need to ensure that customer service and high quality standards co-exist with the most innovative Irish designs,” she says.
To make an appointment with Sarah, phone 086 1780220 or email sarah@sarahfoy.com
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