Paul Galvin for Dunnes Stores

Normally I hear a lot of hype before a collab collection drops but the Paul Galvin for Dunnes Stores collection managed to sneak up on me somehow. Which is funny because I've been saying for a while that such a collection was exactly what Dunnes needed. With so many amazing designer collaborations in-house for homeware, kids and women, there was a space that was crying out for some seriously contemporary, cool menswear.

And now it has been filled. While the collection is distinctly a fashion forward departure for the brand when it comes to menswear and the pieces have urban, contemporary elements, it also presents solid, clean separates that are good quality and would fit into many a wardrobe. You don't have to be quite the urban warrior that Galvin has put forward in order to find something for you.

But if you want to be that warrior, go ahead!

See, the thing is, there's actually plenty of exciting stuff going on for menswear in Ireland but it often requires having access to a lot of capital - something which is especially daunting if you might be worried a snide remark or comment might prevent you from ever wearing something a little more daring again. This collection is a high street collaboration, admittedly on an upper scale of the high street, but is accessible for many nonetheless. And, while it's pushing in a different direction with the styling of the lookbook, some of the decorative accents and trims, silhouettes and pieces such as the cape-parka hybrid, it's not too far from the accepted to give your average Joe trying something new too difficult of a time.

Galvin himself states that he aimed to create something which is "not so much a clothing collection as a clothing movement" and which "represents new thoughts, new language, and hopefully a new direction for menswear in Ireland." Some might roll their eyes at such an ambitious claim but I'm very much on the same page. Let's level the playing field when it comes to clothing - if nothing else, it'll make commutes and walking down the street more interesting.

The "Vanguard", (which was chosen to capture the "spirit of the vanguard warriors, the risk takers, who led military movements from the front") title of the collection seems interesting as well, given the timing. 1916 commemorations are looming and are very much present in the popular mindset at the moment, giving many of us pause to consider our rather recent past and the struggle for independence as led by some of our greatest thinkers, warriors and heroes as well as a lot about the vast changes which have overcome our little island in the past century. While it's dangerous to think more adventurous menswear is anything close to synonymous with a bridging of the gap of inequality between men, women and everything between, it's still progress when freedoms of expression become more normalised. 

Outside my tangents into the symbolic and sociological elements of the collection, it's just damn wearable and cool and I'm even coveting some of the pieces for myself. The collection comprises of 21 styles and key pieces including an overcoat, bomber jacket, shirts, sweatshirts, tees, sweatpants, sweaters and footwear with prices from €25. It is available in selected Dunnes Stores and online and went on sale on Saturday the 17th of October (sorry about my delay in posting on it!).

Will any of you guys be picking any of the pieces up? What do you make of the collection?

(All images are courtesy, and property of, Dunnes Stores)

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Zoe Jordan X River Island

Last season I was checking out Zoe Jordan's AW15 collection at Somerset House with 160g Magazine and, though I couldn't head over this time around, a little bit of LFW came to me on Monday night. In the Grafton Street store, her collab with River Island was launched in Ireland and, within a couple hours, many pieces were sold out. Fear not, however, as more stock is on its way!

Why did it sell out so quickly? Well, it's got a lot to do with Zoe herself, who has a refreshingly honest and practical approach to designing. She put several of her key hero pieces (the "cold shoulder" jumpers and smoky prints) into this collection, making her famous staple items available to a wider audience, and doesn't discriminate between these pieces and those from her own collection, seeing them as complementing each other. In a more general sense, she also believes in creating trans-seasonal, timeless clothes that reward the buyer by lasting.

With cute party dresses, smart tailoring, tough outerwear, cosy knitwear and dressy tees, the collection will easily fit right into countless wardrobes. And the balance between simplicity, badassery and impeccable fit means that, as she will tell you, Zoe Jordan's girl isn't any one girl but all.

You can shop Zoe Jordan x River Island online and instore with prices beginning at €47.00.

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Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani

I normally don't write these kinds of posts, don't feel the need to repeat what's in press releases or could be summarised in tweets because I prefer to put out content that I've directly altered and made my own. However, when news in the beauty or fashion worlds really excites me and I'm in a position of privilege to hear about it early on, I cannot help but feel the need to share it with all of you!

The title has given the news away but: HOW EXCITING IS THAT? Gwen Stefani has been a major inspiration for me since I was ten years old. Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt was the first album I bought with my own money and I've always loved her fearless and experimental sense of style. Considering how bold but put-together said style is, her collab with UD is bound to be colourful and exciting - a perfect match, really.

Gwen has worked with the brand on everything for this limited edition collection from packaging to formulations and is stoked for it. She notes: “When Urban Decay came to me to collaborate, I immediately thought it was a perfect match. The way they've built their company is very similar to my aesthetic and approach. It’s all about creative self-expression, being strong and not being afraid to go outside of the box. Everyone in my life knows I absolutely love make-up. From a very young age, it was an artistic passion of mine. I actually used to be a make-up artist. I love wearing make-up and having so many ways to express myself through it. It’s my war paint. To be able to do a collaboration with people who get that concept and who are just as passionate about it is a dream come true. We've made and created products that I actually wear every single day. It’s the real thing. I'm obsessed with everything we've done, and I can’t wait to share it.”

Can't wait to actually see some of the products now!

The collection launches online from Urban Decay in late November and will be available in Ireland through House of Fraser and Debenhams from December.

Photo Credit: Jason H. Smith / CC BY-SA 2.0

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Look what we've Dunnes and how far we've come

Dunnes is changing.

It's been a gradual process that's begun to speed up. Introducing designer collaborations over time and lines such as Savida and Gallery updated a value-friendly old stalwart of Irish design and shopping. The grannyish vibe is dying out. And it's being replaced by something still reasonably priced but infinitely more interesting and a hell of a lot cooler.

In fact, it's probably the most effective use of designer collaborations that I've seen. Instead of having a one-off or annual model of inviting new designers to design collections, Dunnes have taken on regular collaborators who design new collections across homeware and clothing (and now food) each season. They've tied well-respected names to their brand and have given them the room and time to cultivate their brand within the brand. The collections only grow and increase in strength, making Dunnes stores almost unrecognisable.

The homeware unit for Dunnes in my local, the Swan Centre in Rathmines, was renovated over the summer and it looks amazing now. (It's kind of dangerous, actually, too much temptation.) I want to shop there. Being inside the store is like being in much higher-end décor and furniture shops, it's all much more considered, thought out. From the layout to the products. And the concept store on George's Street always make Savida and Gallery pieces feel like you're shopping in a boutique.

The whole thing just makes me weirdly...proud? Like, I've always liked the brand and I love to support Irish design and companies. To see the improvements and growth and energy in such an old and established brand is really inspirational.

PSA: This is how you do the designer collab. And do it right.

So, are y'all feeling the new Dunnes as much as me? And for readers not located in Ireland, you've added it to the list of things to do when you visit, right?