I DISCOVERED THE BEST-KEPT SECRET OF THE FASHIONISTA SET - KILDARE VILLAGE - A CHIC SHOPPING HAVEN ON DUBLIN’S DOORSTEP.
It looks the way a fashion fan might imagine the afterlife. Bright, light and serene and staffed with immaculate, smiling people who go out of their way to help. And then there are handbags. Acres of gleaming leather in rich, perfect, shades of plum, orange and tan, crafted into heartbreakingly beautiful shapes. And - best of all - they're roughly half the price they are on Grafton Street.
I'm not in heaven, but for label lovers, it's somewhere very close.
I'm not in heaven, but for label lovers, it's somewhere very close.
Anya Hindmarch, in Kildare village, just an hour out of Dublin. Though firmly based on terra firma - just off junction 13 on off the M7 to be precise - there is still something a little otherworldly about this particular retail outlet centre. Firstly there is its distinctive appearance. While homogenous out of-town shopping centers are dime a dozen - Kildare has been created as a picture-perfect little village.
Apparently the theme is cosmopolitan but to me, visiting on a wet summer day, it felt more like a peaceful New England outpost. Its broad, pristine streets are lined with white-washed clapboard buildings, topped with pretty pitched roofs and cute coffee shops nestled amongst the big brand name boutiques. Situated at the edge of the Curragh Racecourse and overlooking the ruins of the 13th century Grey Abbey, Kildare Village shopping outlet is both picturesque and practical.
In this current economic climate when shopping for fun now seems frivolous, bargain outlet centre’s such as the Kildare Village are proving big business. There are many reasons for its success -- attractive designer bargains being the main one. But we're not talking Primark prices here -- there may be plenty of bargains to be had, but they're still top brand names so bear that in mind if you're planning a trip. In saying that, if savvy shopping is your thing Kildare Village will be right up your street
The village hosts a wide selection of home-grown Irish and international luxury brands including Louise Kennedy, Juicy Couture, Aquascutum, Furla, Anya Hindmarch, Tommy Hilfiger and Hackett, with savings of up to 60 percent on the recommended retail price, all year around. Since it opened in 2006 a slew of visiting celebrities such as Amber Le Bon, Whitney Port, Liz Hurley, Peaches Geldof and supermodel, Poppy Delevigne have helped to establish it as one of the most fashionable shopping destinations in the country - and President Mary McAleese was spotted shopping there only last week.
But, let's be honest, it's the shopping that I was there for. So what bargains did I spy?
I popped into The Style Gallery and spied a beautiful Deborah Veale dress, which was perfect for a wedding I’m going to but when I looked at the price tag I almost died of shock - it had been reduced from €295 to an astonishing €99 - my face broke into a smile so wide it was almost painful. After that I ran, as fast as my little feet could carry me, to LK Bennett where I fell in love with a sandal by Stina ,which was reduced from €190 to €80. In the Furla shop, designer handbags were reduced significantly too, including a nude Gretta bag, from €360 to a jaw dropping €100. I almost died of shock.
I popped into The Style Gallery and spied a beautiful Deborah Veale dress, which was perfect for a wedding I’m going to but when I looked at the price tag I almost died of shock - it had been reduced from €295 to an astonishing €99 - my face broke into a smile so wide it was almost painful. After that I ran, as fast as my little feet could carry me, to LK Bennett where I fell in love with a sandal by Stina ,which was reduced from €190 to €80. In the Furla shop, designer handbags were reduced significantly too, including a nude Gretta bag, from €360 to a jaw dropping €100. I almost died of shock.
The reason that Kildare Village can sell these designer labels at such extraordinary prices is because they are last season’s stock but that didn’t stop me from snapping up a few wardrobe classics and investment pieces. After all, I’d much rather spend my money on clothes that are actually going to last rather than disposable trends – that are in one moment and out the next!
For me, someone who has regularly sighed at the designer collections of Brown Thomas and Harvey Nics, one of the best features about Kildare - alongside its fabulously knocked-down prices of course - is that it's as accessible for imperfect mere mortals as it is for glossy celebs and trust fund fashionistas. For a little slice of designer shopping heaven, without the guilt - it certainly fits the bill.
For me, someone who has regularly sighed at the designer collections of Brown Thomas and Harvey Nics, one of the best features about Kildare - alongside its fabulously knocked-down prices of course - is that it's as accessible for imperfect mere mortals as it is for glossy celebs and trust fund fashionistas. For a little slice of designer shopping heaven, without the guilt - it certainly fits the bill.
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