Perfect Prada Prints

Weeks later I am still in love with Prada's Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection. Those colours and those block prints! A feast for the eyes. It's wonderful to see current references to Saint Laurent's Mondrain dress walking down the runway.





There were garments in the collection that I didn't connect with whatsoever- snakeskin coats with fur lapels and faux fur jackets. But the strength of the other garments balanced this out.

I still remain torn over the 'scale' or 'mermaid' garments. However with royal wedding bells in the air for the entire month of April, and Vogue's wedding devoted issue I did find myself thinking that these would be superbly fun wedding dresses. With a kick of colour from those python boots.


Photos from the ever dependable style.com and the fabulous tailoress blog.

This March I Liked

It's nearly April! Bring on Spring please:)
Some favorite images this last month have been-

My new favorite dress, from kuukukka


I have decided one day, in the not so distance future, I will most definitely color code my books.


Gold bangle from Irish jewellery designer Clare Grennan. I have just invested in one of her rings from this range. Lucky me.



A wonderful cafe somewhere in Poland. Photographed by my friend Johnny McMillan.


My first dog was a Schnauzer.



Currently planning a boat trip down the River Shannon in April. Style inspiration for the trip? Goldie Hawn's yachting wardrobe in Overboard.


Fendi Fall 2011. Loving this color palette.

Acne Fall 2011. I love mustard. Both courtesy of the clever tailoress blog.



Recently purchased favorite fabrics.


Very frame-able tea towel.


Very keen on the paint job on that wall.


In love with this clever and pretty necklace from Michi.



Proenza Schouler's Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection. Delicious patterns.


Illustration by Dublin based Gaetan Billault.

My New Fashion Crush

My new fashion crush is Whistles. Their photographs don't do their clothes justice. Their winter collection is just lovely- elegant but with that essential edge, and with great fabrics that will last. Delicious.


In 2008 Jane Shepherdson came on board as the chief executive of Whistles, previously she was the head of Topshop- and key to its success. Whistles was formerly owned by Baugur, the Icelandic investment group, but when Baugur went into administration earlier this year it became an independent company.

A major plus point is Shepherdson's ethical principles- much manufacturing is done in Europe and that which is done in China is carefully scrutinized. She has stated that Whistles knows where the fabric comes from and what factories they use, and they realise how important this is to their customers.

This winter they feature a collection by Serbian-born designer Roksanda Ilincic, who is a relative newcomer to the fashion scene.

She also created a Spring/Summer collection for them this year. Which was feminine, but very playful- the embellishments nod to the late 60s/early 70s.

It reminded me of a favourite Spring collection in 2007 by Chloe, it didn't receive many positive reviews but I loved it. The embellished dresses were fantastic- daring colours, combining print with heavy embellishment.

It was actually a 'filler collection' as Chloe waited for their new designer to arrive, Paulo Melim then coming from Marni. Who is now at Diane von Furstenberg. People do move around!

So this collection was overseen by Yvan Mispelaere, who had been the design director of Phoebe Philo- a seminal designer for Chloe.

One Day in San Francisco

It's wonderful when you come across lots of exciting people and places in one day. Which is what holidays in creative locations are all about!


Firstly I met lovely Canadian Illustrator Emma SanCartier, who is now based in San Francisco. Her work is both playful and heartful.

She showed me the lovely shop Paxton Gate's Curiosites for kids. The shop has a gorgeous design and layout. My favorite had to be the mounted soft toy heads. Then there is the sister shop down the road for grown ups. With real animals. Here the crazy mice where a favourite.






Later I stumbled upon Mission Bicycle Company where you build your own bikes. Your own gorgeous bikes that is. Be sure to park them against complimentary backgrounds such as these to do them justice.





Pastel coloured homes and crisscross tram wires.


Cold ears on the bridge, and a lovely view at the end of the day.

The Wonderful World of Sanna Annukka

I'm going to share with you one of my all time favorite print designers and illustrator, as delicious design food for thought over the weekend and coming week. The striking designs of the Brighton based Finnish illustrator and print maker Sanna Annukka. Her work is inspired by nature and folklore, combined with her own unique and wonderful style. Enjoy!!
A few of my favorites...





Designs for iTunes gift cards


Lovely huge screen prints in production!



And if you fancy an interior design treat, visit her beautiful home- courtesy of DesignSponge!

Designer Interview starring Angela Cuthill of ArtySmarty (with rather fabulous giveaway!)

Angela is originally from Tasmania (!)and has lived in Dublin (with some long visits home in between) for the last ten years. She studied ceramics and fine art, followed by an MA in art curation. Her husband is Irish and they live in a pretty house on Primrose Avenue. She set up her lovely company ArtySmarty in the last year- creating jewelery, bags and other quirky items.

As a giveaway there is one of Angela's latest necklaces..
Be sure to leave a comment and you just might receive it in the post!

What are you working away on at the moment?
I have been going through a major bag and ‘pocket’ making moment recently. There are some beautiful fabrics available and I want to make useful items so people can enjoy beautiful pattern, design and colour in their everyday life. Things like i-phone covers, business covers, sunglasses cases and tiny tote bags can brighten up dull objects.


Who are your favourite designers and artists?
I have a strong visual art background so my favourites would be more traditional fine arts, say, painting and sculpture. Three big ones for me are;
Michael Morris
Richard Wastell
Ricky Swallows

What are your secret resource websites or blogs!?
Well, my most useful website resource for supplies would have to be Etsy they have all sorts of bits and bobs to buy and I love seeing all of the amazing work that other people are producing and selling on the site. I also spend a lot of time checking out blogs, Etsy Ireland, which is a collective of Irish crafters who sell on Etsy and meet up and discuss ideas have a super blog. They post really user friendly info on how to take great photos of your stuff, how-to’s and any other number of subjects.

What do you love most about what you do?
Flexibility would have to be the big one and of course the creativity. If one day I feel like making bags then I can, if I am working elsewhere I can take my laptop and work on some marketing or new designs. I guess we all want variety in our jobs and a sense of satisfaction when we complete something, I think you get that, especially so, when you have something tangible at the end of your working day.
 


What's the first thing you remember making?
When I was very small I was bought an air-dry clay kit by my parents that had all of the materials to make some kind of animal figure that you could paint when it dried. I can remember exactly what the figure looked like, some kind of cat, but I loved it so much I went into full production and they were all over the house!


Is the contrast of your subject matter intentional, for example robots and ladies in their undergarments?
I have kind of a wide interest area and I think this is reflected in the work that I produce, while it’s not really intentional. Some days I think I should narrow down the scope of what I do and specialize more but I seem to be getting more ideas as I progress rather than finding one I want to concentrate on.

Your future dreams and plans?
Business wise, I’d like to stock my work in shops all over Ireland and perhaps begin to think about the U.K. and Australia as well. I’d be pretty happy if I could carry on in the future with the same amount of creative freedom that I have now. 


Your thoughts on the design scene in Ireland? Positives and negatives!
There is some amazing contemporary design work being produced in Ireland and it would be great to see them valued more highly. And Ireland is relatively small, which makes it all pretty competitive. I think an outsiders view of Irish design would be more traditional crafts like pottery but there is so much more out there and it’s a shame it’s not better represented.


Where can your work be purchased?
There is a few different options, you can buy direct from my e-commerce site www.artysmartyshop.com

Or if you don’t trust the modern wonders of the internet I am stocked in a few shops;
MayFly 64 Pleasants Place (next to the Cake Café off Camden Street)
The Irish Design Shop Bow Lane East
Se Si in Temple Bar
Om Diva in the Georges Street Arcade
And if you happen to be in Waterford, Ardmore Pottery and Craft Shop.

I also go to the Dublin Flea Market which happens on the last Sunday of the month in New Market Square, off Cork Street, Dublin 8 each month.


And last of all could you draw an interpretation of 'DesignFingers'!?


Many thanks Angela!