The Launch of & Other Stories in Dublin!

I've loved & Other Stories for years now but I've largely had to admire it from afar. The older, cooler sister of H&M and hipper, younger sister of COS, it's a brand that appeals to fashion girls the world over. Its clothes are cool and trendy but not so of the moment that they fall out of fashion immediately. It is home to an awesome (cruelty-free) beauty section that is ever-expanding and offers candles, fragrances, bodycare products and beautiful mid-range makeup. And it does designer collaborations better than most of its peers, choosing to work with cool and edgy brands and stars like Rodarte and Lykke Li.

Up until now, however, I've really only ever been able to enjoy the store on mad-dash visits to the Oxford Street brand between shows at London Fashion Week: always hasty, panicked and at peak times where there is an overwhelmingly large crowd.

This will, happily, no longer be the case. As of Friday at 12pm this week, the first Irish branch of the store opened on Grafton Street and I couldn't be more excited. The street needed fresh blood anyway but you couldn't really ask for much fresher blood than this! The press pre-launch was held the night before and the presence of such a wide spectrum of the Irish fashion crowd would suggest that I am, by no means, the only one who was psyched. It's always interesting to be at such an event where you see pretty much everyone in the industry here gathered in one place - were there time, it'd be the perfect place for people-watching as the range of style was truly fascinating! But it also goes to show how universally loved and acknowledged the brand is.

Fun as the launch was, however, (there was big tubs of Moet on offer - you know it's a ritzy event when real Champagne is cracked out) I can't wait to go back on a quieter day. It was so packed that I could barely get around. I can say, from the scan I did that night, that it is the place to go for beauty, elegant outerwear, party shoes, truly gorgeous bags and timeless knitwear - these are the areas where the stock selection for the Dublin branch are definitely the strongest.

If you're shopping for friends or family this Christmas that are cool girls (or aspire to be cool girls), I recommend hitting them up!

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COS SS17

COS SS17 is a sensual collection. Texture and fabric choices are king. It is an even more pared back collection than we have seen in the past from COS, if you can imagine such a thing.

The pops of colour that often stuck out in previous seasons are absent and, instead, the palette remains an almost utterly undisturbed ocean of natural, neutral and earthy tones - blushes, beiges, denims, blues, olives, greys and white tones. Even the more glamourous garments are dark metallics that shimmer but do not shout.

Translucency, silkiness and texture abound, drawing the eye to the form and the hand to the garment, wanting to touch and explore. COS silhouettes that are more oversized or boxy are present, as one might expect, but this proliferation of billowing fabrics also allow for more fluid garments that move, drape and hug the human form.

Do not expect elaborate detail - none of the embroidery, brocades or prints we've seen elsewhere for SS17. However, that is not to  say that there is no visual interest at play or charming details. A-symmetry, draping, gathering and origami-inspired details adorn the collection. 

Contrast is key throughout the whole collection. The contrast of boxy and billowy. The contrast of earthy and industrial tones. Soft and rigid. 

There's something particularly sexy about this collection - the fabrics, the movement, the ease, the simplicity, the not-having-to-try-very-hard, It's not a million miles from what COS normally does but it does feel as though new life was breathed upon existing ideas. 

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COS AW16

I spent my lunch on Tuesday hanging out with the wonderful teams from COS and Baluba for the COS AW16 press day. Not only was the setting gorgeous (a dream home on Camden Street over three floors with big windows, a large terrace and perfect kitchen, which had just been renovated) and the food from Cocu Kitchen nutritious and delicious, the collection was one of the best I've seen from them in a while.

This isn't a collection that immediately wows but, rather, is slow-burning, leaving a deeper and longer lasting impression. The rich shades - navy, intense blue, ochre, burgundy, forest green - though common for AW are deeper incarnations that remind of the colours espoused in the Victorian era and perfectly evoke one of the two main trends that run throughout; Everyday Decadence and Rethought Functionality.

Everyday Decadence is expressed through classic forms, which are reworked and reimagined, - a white shirt with many guises, an a-symmetric blazer, half-draped - which combine textures and fabrics for a richer result - unexpected, happy collisions of silk bonded with wool, sheer panels and crisp pleated tailoring - and which sport exaggerated silhouettes - high turtlenecks, extra-long sleeves, a-symmetry, volume, oversizing. Rethought Functionality sees straps, seatbelts and zips reappropriated and used to make it possible to wear garments in multiple ways; layering; durable pieces and, yet, with a slick overall look.

For menswear, there are decadent and layered looks that combine utilitarian and sporty elements; rich colour, textures and prints and updated and pared back classic tailoring. The rich tones of the womenswear are carried over but you also get oatmeal shades and lilacs - softer, prettier notes.

The two wardrobes are mixed and blurred; masculine tailoring is made sensual for womenswear while menswear is made sensuous and given slightly more feminine notes.

Throughout, there are plenty of durable and investment pieces; suits, coats, blazers etc. - cool twists on items that will never be outdated and which are built to last.

In fact, the idea of lasting and sustainability is and underlining theme. Recycled elements are used (such as the seatbelts), garments are made to withstand the years, right down to the press information, which is no longer printed and all put on a USB stick instead.

Personal favourites from the day have to be the accessories, - mittens that look like mini parkas for your hands, detached turtleneck chokers - the silk and wool co-ord with sheer panels, the trouser jumpsuit that looks like a pair of men's trouser extending from chest to toe, the draped forest green suit and the menswear Donegal Tweed coat.

If you're looking for some clothes for life that majorly pay their way or pieces that are elegant without shouting about it, COS AW16 has got you covered.

(All images my own except the lookbook images which are used courtesy of COS)

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