Brown Thomas Dublin is once again delighted to host the Irish National Final of the Triumph Inspiration Awards 2012 on Wednesday, 30th May 2012.  16 fashion students from the award-winning Griffith College Dublin and the Limerick School of Art & Design will take part in this prestigious design competition, which this year will be hosted by Xposé presenter Karen Koster. The esteemed judging panel will be announced in due course.

Triumph, one of the world’s leading lingerie and shapewear brands, once again challenges young students from all over the world with the fifth annual Triumph Inspiration Award, the industry’s leading design contest in lingerie.

Triumph invited students from Griffith College Dublin and the Limerick School of Art & Design to prove their creativity and expertise by producing a catwalk showpiece to represent this year’s theme “Dragons and Butterflies”. These quintessential Chinese symbols that represent opposing elements were chosen because the International Grand Final is taking place in Shanghai this October.  The Irish winner will travel to Shanghai to represent Ireland at the International Grand Final and their design will compete against 30 other national winners – an invaluable experience for any budding designer.

Vote for your favourite design

Lingerie and design fans can check out the 16 designs that have made it to this year’s Triumph Inspiration Award Irish Final at Brown Thomas on Facebook and vote for their favourite design. The result counts as one vote towards the jury’s final decision.

The Triumph Inspiration Awards curates the most innovative and inspirational lingerie designs and provides a prestigious platform to showcase them in front of national, consumer, and trade press, along with industry professionals. The students participating in the International Grand Final are judged by a renowned jury of fashion, design and media, whose names are yet to be announced. The experts from the last year’s Final include Viktor&Rolf, Ellen von Unwerth, Lily Cole and Helena Christensen, to name but a few.

The winner of the TIA 2012 will follow Boglarka Bodis’ footsteps, the Hungarian winner from Triumph Inspiration Award 2011. Her extraordinary creative design “Les Fleurs du Mal” will be commercialized into a mini-collection of four pieces, containing a bra, a brief, a body and a camisole and will be available in autumn 2012 in selected wholesale and Triumph stores worldwide.

Background

Launched in 2008, the Triumph Inspiration Award is an annual contest that recruits design student from around the globe to create unique lingerie showpieces that draw out the best of their artistic vision. Approximately 9,300 students took part since the beginning of the contest that is now established as the industry’s leading fashion design award.

The TIA Award aims to give creative young students a glimpse into the world of lingerie, encouraging their talents, stretching their capabilities and honing their skills. The main goal: to inspire young designers who will, in turn, inspire those that come after them.

For further information, visit triumphinspirationawardie.com. Check out and vote for the 16 Irish Finalists on facebook.com/BrownThomasGroup

Triumph International is one of the world’s largest underwear manufacturers. The company enjoys a presence in over 120 countries with its core brands Triumph®, sloggi®, Valisère® and HOM®. Triumph employs more than 36,500 people and achieves a turnover of CHF 2.2 billion (2010).

This is a WhatSheWears.ie advertorial feature.

Mulberry certainly know how to create a stir – first team up with beautiful songstress du jour, Lana del Rey, then name a handbag after her and while you’re at it, have her entertain all your VIP guests at a private party in Chateau Marmont during Fashion Week.

So after all that anticipation, the Mulberry Del Rey handbag finally landed in shops this week (£795 online, €990 at Brown Thomas). Inspired by the singer’s signature retro look, it’s the first time the brand has collaborated with a star since launching its best-selling Alexa satchel.  A retro take on the Mulberry Bayswater, we think, yet £200 more expensive.

Pictured above, Lana has a custom made Del Rey in White Ostrich and as Emma Hill (Mulberry’s Creative Director) says: ‘The white with the gold accent suited Lana perfectly – it’s glamorous, and a little bit retro!’

For the rest of us mere mortals, the vintage style bag comes in black and deer brown, with more colours (Burgundy, blue and white) to follow.

Availability: Shop the Del Rey online (£795) and at Brown Thomas Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway (€990).

P.S Passing through London Heathrow at the weekend, I picked up these gorgeous Mulberry SS12 postcards, which are complimentary! Pop into your nearest Mulberry store to get your hands on some – getting one of these Brighton pier and ice cream themed cards by post will brighten up someone’s day. Photo taken on Instagram (see full image).

The nameplate is making a comeback!

With the Sex and the City prequel “The Carrie Diaries” currently being shot (and by the looks of things, AnnaSophia Robb pictured left, who plays a young Carrie, looks cute in all her eighties gear) we feel a sense of SATC- inspired accessorising spree coming on.

And what better outfit add-on than the infamous Carrie necklace that Sarah Jessica Parker wore in the Sex and the City films, which you can have custom made in your own name.

Eric Daman, the stylist for the show, who previously styled the Gossip Girl series, has hinted that for the new tv series, the young Carrie will be wearing a “c” initial necklace by Alex Woo. In the meantime, we’ll be rushing to Annouska for ours.

Availability: Nameplate necklace can be made to order in your name from Rocks Stillorgan in lightweight gold from €190 or in heavier weight gold from €250. The silver version costs €120. rocks.ie

Initial necklace €450 at Annouska, Brown Thomas.   annoushka-jewellery.com

While working for a magazine, Laura Whiston found herself besieged by interesting fashion content that she couldn’t squeeze into the pages of the monthly publication. So, she set up her now widely recognised personal style blog, Whisty Blogs Dublin Fashion.

With its distinctive personality and well-informed opinions, Whisty has become a stalwart on the fashion blogosphere. As this month’s Guest Editor, we get an insight into Laura’s whimsical wardrobe of vintage and high end pieces and her jammy kilo sale finds.

Favorite Spring/Summer 2012 designer collection

Alexander McQueen’s S/S12 collection was breathtaking, looking at coverage of the Paris show, every piece Sarah Burton sent down the catwalk looked like it was sculpted out of coral or alabaster and tipped with gold leaf. Even the oil-slick-black gowns looked delicate and fragile. It is a stunning collection, I love when the art of fashion is so overtly expressed.

Spring/Summer trend and how you’ll be wearing it

I am head over heels with the return of the peplum. Jason Wu and Vera Wang’s S/S’12 versions are wearable and easily translatable. While Alexander McQueen and Givenchy’s are exquisite and showy,  I like how the peplum has returned in different ways; the traditional version as a second layer over a skirt; on the bottom of jackets to soften sharp, fitted suits; then worn over trousers and shirts as well as skirts.

If I could wear it anyway it would be with black netting as part of a pretty floral summer dress by Nina Ricci (pictured). Peplum perfection!

Highstreet Shop

I rarely shop on the High Street; I find the idea of buying cheaply made overpriced ‘on-trend’ pieces in manmade fibre, wholly distasteful during such tough economic times. I much prefer to shop at vintage fairs and flea markets.

I also shop online through ASOS, its Marketplace, (marketplace.asos.com) is a great way to buy good quality clothes at reasonable prices. I also sell on there too on Once Removed Vintage.

Fav Shop in Dublin

I’m afraid my favourite Dublin shop is no great revelation; Brown Thomas is without a shadow of doubt a heavenly place to be if you like anything to do with fashion. From jewellery, to perfumes, shoes to designer gowns, on every floor you’re surrounded by beautiful things and it actually makes you feel special. The staff are great, the decor is chic and the whole experience is joyful. (Made only that little bit better when you have enough in your purse to actually buy anything!).

Make-up look

Eyebrows. I’m obsessed with them at the moment; I recently had an eyebrow lesson from a consultant at Benefit Cosmetics. She showed me how to use their ‘Brow Zings’ shaping kit properly, among other things. When I look back at photographs of myself when I was at university I had really thin brows, (I actually look like I’ve attacked my eyebrows with a disposable razor) I can’t believe the difference that now having a good pair of defining brows makes.

Go-to piece in your wardrobe

Maxi dresses are my staple pieces; they’re as suited for formal events as they are for balmy summer evenings. I have a beautiful black, silk chiffon one with tiny shoestring straps that I wear for anything glamorous, and a number of cheap, brightly coloured ones that are great to throw on with flats for casual summer days.

Best bargain

A turquoise and pink bouclé tweed Chanel suit that I found in a dreadful state at a vintage kilo sale (yes, it honestly does happen). It weighed 1.05kg, and at 1kg=€20 it cost me €21. I sent it to the dry cleaners (twice in the case of the skirt), and afterwards removed all remaining marks with wool-carpet cleaner. It’s damn near perfect now.

Most Prized Pair of Shoes

All shoes make me happy, but heels even more so. I like the way they look and I like the way they make you feel. They take a lot more effort to wear than flats, but the rewards from wearing them are worth it. Brand wise I think Kurt Geiger (pictured) manage to achieve the right balance between style, price and quality. They also do great classic pairs that last for years. I have a pair of black suede knee-high boots that I bought four winters ago that I’ve looked after so well they’re still going to be wearable in two winters time.

Signature Perfume

During the daytime I wear Jo Malone, normally it’s the fresh and citrusy ‘English Pear and Freesia’ but I also adore ‘Wild Bluebell’. At night time I wear Coco Chanel. It’s such a heady, sensual scent and is as perfect for evening as a silk ball gown.

Top style tip

Even if you don’t think it’s going to suit you, your body shape or your skin tone, try anything and everything. If you don’t try everything, then you’ll never know what definitely does look bad and what looks great on you.

 - Gillian Brett

It’s January, you’re broke and pay day seems like a gazillion miles away but we couldn’t resist rounding up the best designer looks from what will shortly be landing in Brown Thomas.

We also asked some fashwan insiders (Laura Whiston, Brendan Courtney, Becky Gray and our own Gillian Brett) what their look of the day was.

So beat off the January blues with a ray of spring summer with this clip and some featured looks in the gallery below. If they are way out of your price range fear not – there will be a multitude of similar looks on the high street (cue Zara) come summer time.

[View with PicLens]

Photos: Photocall Ireland

Perfume is a fail-safe Christmas present and to save you wading through a sea of scents,  we’ve tried and tested lots to come up with the ultimate Christmas perfume list.

For Her

Bottega Veneta EDP

The leather handbag label’s first perfume, this scent is both decadent and subtle. Smells like real leather – in a good way.

Tom Ford White Patchouli

After years of average celebrity endorsed perfumes, trust Tom Ford to get it right.  This deep complex patchouli scent is simply heavenly – one spritz at the Tom Ford counter and you’ll be won over too. €55, Brown Thomas.

Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia

Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia smells of just-ripe pears, blended with delicate white florals mixed with woody Patchouli – a fresh autumnal perfume and a favourite in the WhatSheWears office since it hit the shops last year. €80, 100ml, Brown Thomas.

In fact any of the Jo Malone scents make great presents – the smaller 30ml  bottles make great stocking fillers and birthday presents – a gift any woman is proud to carry in her handbag.

Hermès Kelly Calèche

Hermès Kelly Calèche perfume promises to evoke the soft leather smell of Hermès handbags with subtle floral accents, this is a feminine fragrance with universal appeal.  €74.50 Brown Thomas.

For Him

Beckham Signature

Beckham signature is one of the many fragrances David and Victoria Beckham have created under the dvb fragrances brand.   A complex woody scent, this is a subtle yet sexy smell for your man’s Christmas stocking.

Tom Ford Grey Vetiver

Vetiver is a plant extract used in aromatherapy and in Tom Ford Grey Vetiver it’s a smoky, woody scent.  And as with a Tom Ford suit, this fragrance is classic, manly and stylish.  €60, Brown Thomas.

So get out there and inhale.

Last week we caught up with Angela Buttolph, fashion guru, author and Contributing Editor of Grazia Magazine in The Shoe Rooms of Brown Thomas Dublin, to find out her must have shoes of the season.

Angela is a top style expert, who is known for her weekly fashion features in Grazia, hosts A Week of Dressing Dangerously and Fashion Victim Rehab on BBC TV and regularly broadcasts her shopping advice on BBC Radio 1’s Morning Show.  Buttolph is also the author of Kate Moss: Style Icon, a style biography about the fashion icon of a generation.

So without further ado, here are Angela´s top shoe choices for AW11, how to style them and if you hurry, you can buy them for yourself,   just in time for the winter wedding and party season!

Look 1

Model Yomiko wears an outfit by The Kooples and boots by Acne.

“Doc Marten style boots are THE boots of the season for autumn winter 2011”.

Look 2

Tartan dress by Carven with Brian Atwood ankle boots

“Style tip: start with the shoe and then choose the outfit. After all this is what SJP and Alexa Chung do.  Grazia´s Style hunter always looks for amazing shoes to photograph. A great shoe nails the look”.

Look 3

Isabel Marant top, leopard print bag and glitter shoes.

“Digital prints and especially clashing prints are all in this season. Wear with a pair of clashing shoes. This look would definitely get into Style Hunter” Angela says.

Look 4

Jumpsuit by Whistles

“This is a great look to pull off the minimalist trend. Alexa Chung would wear these patent brogues with tux jacket.”

Look 5

Tory Burch Shoes, Marc Jacobs top and  flared jeans by Rachel Zoë.

“I´m obsessed with the 1970s trend and the studio 54 era, especially all the tan leather!”

Look 6

YSL tribute shoes worn with an off the shoulder, leopard print dress with balcony sleeves by Rachel Zoë.

“If you only buy one shoe this season, this is the one. It´s all about the late 70s disco look”

Look 7

Acne Aviator jacket, skirt by Raoul.  Kurt Geiger boots.

“The Aviator jacket is still in season and is worn here with a midi skirt.  Hanna who does Style Hunter for Grazia loves these skirts and you and don’t need to be skinny to wear them either.

Style Tip: Wear tall ankle boots with a midi skirt, and socks peeping out.  This look spells out cool and edgy – be sure to wear your shirt buttoned right up!”

Look 8

D & G Kitten heels

“A pencil skirt worn with kitten heels is irresistable to most men!”

Look 9

Cape and skinny trousers, both Marni. Dries van Noten perspex heels.

“Style tip:  Short trousers make ankles look skinny. This Marni cape is offset by a skinnier silhouette on the bottom half”.

Look 10

Shoes by Kurt Geiger, Whistles skirt.

“The long, pleated midi skirt in chiffon is quite the Carrie Bradshaw look.

Everyone in the Grazia office bought the Whistles short pleated skirt this summer – this is winter version. You´ve been warned..get it before it sells out!”

-    Noreen Boyhan

Hundreds of stylish shoppers strolled Grafton Street after-hours, sporting designer goodies, getting their pictures taken for “Vogue” and dancing the night away in what was every fashionista’s dream for Fashion’s Night Out on September 8th.

Now in its third year worldwide, the shopping extravaganza is the brainchild of Vogue’s Anna Wintour and it’s the second time Dublin paid tribute to the chic evening.

Check out this video (2 mins 12 seconds) of what went on in Brown Thomas, one of two stores in the capital which played host to a night of the pastime we all adore—shopping!

Pictured L to R: Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, model Isabelle Traber in Mary Katrantzou and WSW’s Ann-Marie Proudfoot.

IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art,  celebrated the culmination of its 20th Anniversary with Art of Fashion last Friday.  

Brown Thomas unveiled a specially curated exhibition, which featured a spectacular retrospective installation of internationally celebrated fashion designer Mary Katrantzou’s signature prints.

The private champagne reception took place in the ornate baroque chapel where models on pedestals shifted from one high heeled foot to another as fashion editors, journalists and artists marvelled at the Katrantzou lampshade skirts and digital print creations.

Read our interview with Mary Katrantzou herself over here.

What She Drank: Rose Champagne

What She Saw: Photographers and attendees alike gushing over Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin as she entered the room

See more pictures in our gallery below

Irwin & Jordan has been worn by some of the world’s most stylish women; including Natalie Imbruglia, Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Rachel Bilson, and Jessica Biel.

The woman behind the label, Zoe Jordan, daughter of Formula One supremo Eddie, was in Dublin today to launch their pop up store at Brown Thomas.

The label mixes Savile Row tailoring, contemporary cuts and heritage fabrics – think tailored jackets and slouch waistcoats, a delicate lace t-shirt (pictured right), darling dresses and cropped silk trousers – creating an eclectic look that pushes the confines of every piece of its collections.  If simplicity is the ultimate sophistication then Irwin & Jordan is the embodiment of that simplicity.

WSW Style Tip: Our favourite piece from the spring summer collection is a lace top (€265, pictured) . It’s the perfect feminine accompaniment for the contrasting masculinity of tailored trousers – wear with black ones now and white trousers come summer time.

Availability: Irwin & Jordan SS11 will be in Brown Thomas Dublin for one month from 28 February. See the full collection on http://www.irwinandjordan.com/

Related articles

Collection We Covet: Peter Pilotto

Collection We Covet: Lanvin for H&M