Paul Costelloe AW16

It's the end of day one at LFW AW16, I am exhausted but invigorated as I make my way to Le Meridien for Paul Costelloe AW16. While most shows are impressive in one way or another, it's immediately obvious that Costelloe shows exude a level of class that is difficult to achieve.

The hotel is beautiful in a somewhat Old World way and the ballroom space for the show, with its pastel walls and swaggering plasterwork, sets the scene for elegance but there is also something a little slinky and sensual about it all. I take my seat with a glass of Champagne in hand (classy, remember?), the tarp is pulled back from the pristine runway...and seventies rock classics blast?

I am surprised and more than a little bit delighted. Paul Costelloe's AW16 woman is tough, sexy and a little bit punk. A trio in red tartan coats, thigh-high socks, slicked back hair that veers towards fauxhawk territory and smoky but minimal make-up struts out in one of the best choreographed shows I've ever personally been to.

Once again, the legs are out but its not nearly as so sweet as last season for the designer. Silhouettes still float but are weighted down by a touch of militaryesque detailing, leather, fingerless gloves or trims, intensely-starched high collars. The palette is largely dark and rich but there is a lot going on besides; ruffles, print, sheers, a variety of fabric choices, velvet, the odd pop of bright colour.

And, yet, this is clearly still the same girl. She's still rebellious, very rock and roll but proving that it can be synonymous with elegant. She's a little undone but in all the right ways. The traditionally prim and proper of tweeds and tartans are at odds with the punky details and twists. They fuse the elegant ladies we expect from Costelloe with the warriors of Mad Max that inspired him.

This girl is also quite the sensual creature. The textures of the various garments making the collection into something tactile and raw, the movement and bounce of the sweeping coats, flaring minidresses and sheer overlays making it all very alive and flirty.

This is not the Paul Costelloe I expected but, damn, do I like it.































































Expect more reports from Fashion Week over the next few days!
*

Liked this post? Want more?

Follow me here using google friend connect or bloglovin.

Or follow me on tumblr - twitter - facebook - instagram.

Spring 2015 Looks

At the start of the AW season, I did a wee post where I put together some examples of the types of looks I was feeling for the season. I liked how that turned out so I thought I'd do another for Spring 2015 - especially as for most of Spring around my neck of the woods (Ireland) there's a lot of awkward in-between season dressing where the weather is still frightfully cold and miserable. Partly inspired by actual trends, partly inspired by my life and infused with my own twist on things - there's a touch of Saint Laurent SS15 and seventies vibes, there's an outfit inspired by how my mother used to dress me as a kid and another all-white number that comes from my love for Danielle Romeril SS15 and what Cos showed in their preview for next season.

What will you be wearing this season?

Ripped

...or the closest I'll ever get to that description.

I'm all about the boyfriend jeans for comfort and breathing room and just looking cool. Rips and fraying only improve the look. Yet, however much I love this pair found in a random boutique by a brand I never remember and have never heard of before, they sacrifice the comfort factor for the aesthetic appeal. Layers of stiff treated denim make them look the way they do. Which is cool as they have a more fitted look, more tailored (for lack of a better word). Not cool is trying to cycle in them. Especially cycling twelve and a half kilometres in them.

Still, despite the casual flannel, the tousled hair, the Cons and rips and tears...the jeans pull it all together and dress up casual looks despite their own casual nature. They're just such a talking piece that they elevate an outfit from merely being comfortable to making a statement. And I do love when an outfit will do the talking for me or a single piece will make me look like a together human being with a plan in mind while getting dressed...

Flannel - Urban Renewal, Top - Primark (similar here), Cons, Jeans (similar here)

You guys have any pieces that do the talking/work for you?

No tears necessary - Boohoo AW14 is perfection.

Colour me impressed by the AW14 Boohoo Press Day! Within the wonderfully kooky-majestic setting of Lost Society (so weird to be in a nightclub during the day) in Powerscourt Shopping Centre, Dublin with beautiful evening light streaming through the big Georgian windows and bloggers and press floating about with fancy lemonades or prosecco...it was kind of exactly what the doctor ordered! Sadly, I had my research in tow, weighing me down and making me the weird girl with all the bags once more but a glass of lemonade to cool me down, some sweeties snagged and nails done by the lovely people at Tropical Popical, I was human again and ready to peruse what was on display.

It was kind of love at first sight overall. The impact of the room upon first approach had me a wee bit swoony and weak at the knees. I mean, so gorgeous and affordable! Hello. Yes.

As always with Boohoo, there are key trends within the overall collection with princessy pieces, party pieces, AW boho, Boutique and punky tartan all coming together beautifully. I have my eye on quite a few pieces and all from a mixture of the collections which is somewhat unusual for me; a tartan bralet and trousers co-ord that screams a grown-up version of what I was constantly dressed in as a wee one, another co-ord of a gauzy top and skirt, a drop waist paisley number, a beyond oversized sheer plaid shirtdress, a fringed LBD and a dusty pink duster that makes me die. Plus shoes I could never walk in and hats I'd be slapped by my friends for wearing.

I'm pretty excited for it all!

But I'm really, deeply excited by the menswear. Yep, I'm not leaving you guys out for once! But I may start stealing your clothes. The menswear is pretty fashion-forward for such a mainstream highstreet brand as Boohoo and that thrills me; let's all get to experimenting with our looks. Think sport-luxe for dudes, longer hems to tees, slogans that don't make you cringe and bombers to make you gasp. It's all there.

Anyway, I've babbled for a while now. Check out the photos below and Boohoo for the items once they come on sale!

Thanks to the lovely peeps at Boohoo for having me. I ate everything...as per.

For the dudes

What collection/pieces are exciting you?

PS If you wanna get instant coverage of events like these in the future be sure to check out my instagram and twitter accounts and give me an auld follow!