Goddess Gowns - why vintage is suddenly hot again.




Illustration by Georgina Heffernan



Not so long ago the quickest way to stand out in a crowd was to wear something vintage - a lace evening dress from Oxfam, a 1950s suit you picked up at a clothes swap party or a pretty rhinestone necklace that you found on Ebay. But now vintage is everywhere it's a different story. As ever in fashion, the cache is in exclusivity. Which is why the style elite are becoming obsessed with the 'new vintage'- clothes with a heritage.

Think: Chanel circa 1925, limited- edition YSL or Dior designed by Gianfranco Ferre. The market for luxury vintage pieces with proven heritage or connection to a renowned fashion designer has skyrocketed. Study pictures of the latest red carpet looks and you'll find the best-dressed stars are increasingly those draped in vintage.

They're among a growing band asking their personal stylists to source 'something old' - something that no other celebrity will be snapped in - rather than the latest designer offerings. Reese Witherspoon handpicked her own 2006 Oscar dress - a 1950s Dior number - and Nicole Kidman is a a frequent shopper at upscale vintage clothing stores that cater to celebrities who want to buy great vintage looks.

As a result of this demand, the price of designer vintage has more than quadrupled in the past five years. (Or up to ten times if the piece has connections to a classic film, famed actress or rare period.) There's also a growing band of stores and websites devoted to selling authenticated vintage pieces at premium prices. Auction houses such as Christie's now regularly host sales of vintage clothing - and last year over 2,500 people turned up for a Vintage clothing fair, which was held in Dublin.

In the capital, we have a plethora of fine vintage stores from Jenny Vander on Drury Street to Harlequin at Castle Market but now there's a new kid on the block.Step forward Marie Therese Duggan, a former independent film producer and scriptwriter, who began selling vintage dresses sourced from the US and London in December 2008 and, within one year, had established the Goddess Room in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

The showroom is, quite simply, out of this world and when I visited last Wednesday I walked in only to be blown away by mannequins dressed in the most amazing creations. Speaking with Therese, she told me that her customers want to buy something that is beautiful to look at and exquisitely crafted.

"What it is for me is a rediscovery of style as separate to fashion. I look for items that will function in a woman's wardrobe and won't scream vintage." she said. "The beauty of these pieces is that they are one of a kind and that's what makes the difference, it's about wearing clothes that represent who you are and celebrate your individuality".

The store is a treasure trove of unique pieces original (Chanel, priceless Dior couture and seventies Yves Saint Laurent) and Therese told me that there is always "something new and wonderful" coming into the shop. From long flowing shapes with fantasy trims to exquisite vintage-feel velvets and sharp, tailored lines, the look is - pure, unadulterated glamour.

One nude organza wedding dress by Cecil Chapman is a case in point. With its layers and layers of frothy fabric - it looks like something that has just walked off the international catwalks despite that the pristine gown is probably 50 years old. But what is about vintage clothes that has suddenly captured our imagination?

"There's something about vintage that has certain humanity about them and often the dresses can be awfully sweet; they lift your heart in a way that contemporary fashion has a difficulty with. Over the past decade, we've had the trend where everyone wanted to look the same, sporting the same Prada bag, but now people want clothes that are unique and beautifully made" she said.

So, whether you are looking for your dream wedding dress or a simple vintage day suit, this is one store that's well worth a visit. Just slip on one of those extravagant evening gown or beautiful wedding dresses and you'll instantly transform yourself into a modern day Aphrodite...with a vintage twist.

The Goddess Room
The Meridian Point
Greystones
Co Wicklow

(01) 201 6591info@thegoddessroom.net

www.thegoddessroom.net

CHOOSING THE DRESS OF A LIFETIME...

SO, you've found the man you want to be with for the rest of your life... congratulations! And now you're searching for the perfect dress to wear on your wedding day. When it comes to wedding gowns, every bride is daunted by the thought of choosing her dress for the big day. But fear not - I'm  here to help.
All brides want to look at their most gorgeous on their wedding day. But even though most of us don't look like Hollywood starlets, it's still possible to be a beautiful and radiant bride - whatever your shape or size.
Remember: there is a dress for everyone! To make things a little easier for you - I’ve put any feelings of jealousy aside  - and complied the ultimate guide for all you brides to be, just to make sure you look absolutly stunning on your big day...

So What's hot for 2011? On the bridal catwalks, romance was one of the biggest themes to emerge from the 2011 collections, with flowers, vintage glamour and art deco-inspired gowns set to fill bridal boutiques across the country. Glamour-pusses will be equally smitten with contemporary big bows, embellished detailing on waistlines and shoulder straps.





Vera Wang Spring/Summer 2011

Ruffles have also been a huge favourite with brides for the past few seasons, and while the volume they create will remain, you’ll find them starting to share the spotlight with masses of tiny three dimensional flowers. Thanks to the movie, Black Swan, I also predict that pretty ballett inspired dresses will prove to be a big hit come summer...

Vintage continues to be a popular choice for those who want to buck the trend for traditional gowns. House of Fraser is now stocking Biba Bridal which features frocks with a nod to the past including Alexa, a long-sleeved 70s-style number, and Amber which has an air of 20s elegance. 


Here in Ireland, you can pick up an authentic vintage wedding dress from the likes of Jenny Vander (Dury Street) or The Goddess Rooms (Greystones) if you want to wear something that will really wow your guests. 






The Goddess Room , Greystones, Co Wicklow


Loose fitting styles that are especially flattering for fuller
figures - are empire waist dresses that flow beneath the bust. This silhouette will flatter the figure tremendously by hiding undesirable body parts and showcasing key features.


Looking to show off a little more skin with an empire waist? Opt for a layered chiffon style with a subtle skirt slit. The chic layering and slit will look beautiful and will show just the right amount of leg for a tasteful look.

The important thing is to buy something you want and are confident your groom will love. Whatever you do, you should enjoy your day. You should feel special.


 
Top Wedding Trends for 2011:

1. Sophisticated Elegance Returns It's back to basics with elegant, sophisticated style in 2011. Wedding decor will be understated with modern design elements trumping DIY touches. Scripted calligraphy, custom monograms and classic wedding cakes embody this trend. Brides will wear pearls and grooms will ditch the Converse in favor of more tasteful wedding day kicks.

2. Grey is the New Black, Crazy for Navy Gloomy no more, grey is the neutral it color. Organic and natural shades of charcoal, slate, stone, oyster and shell will be paired with vibrant hues to make the colors pop! And while grey remains the talk of the town for 2011, Prince William's upcoming royal wedding has put navy, sapphire, and royal blue back on the map.


3. Mad for Metallics & Bold Color Palettes
Gilded gold, shimmery silver, and sparkling champagne will stand out alongside vibrant accent colors like yellow, purple and teal. Metallics and brights make such a bold statement that couples will scale back over-the-top decor in favor of a more simple style aesthetic.


4. Big Ball Gowns are Back ( Not of the big Fat Gypsy Wedding variety!)
Wedding dress designers draped, ruched, and layered clouds of tulle, power netting and chiffon to fashion whimsical wedding dresses with limitless volume this runway season. The outcome? Fairytale-inspired bridal style and whimsical wedding dresses for 2011 I Dos.


 
5. Wedding blogs
For brides-to-be, wedding blogs can act as a wedding planner of sorts, providing timely advice, inspiration and vendor referrals -- for free. Below are a few worth bookmarking:


100 Layer Cake -- 100layercake.com/ blog

Before the Big Day -- beforethebigday.blog spot.com

Bridal Bubbly--bridal bubbly.blogspot.com

The Bride's Cafe -- thebridescafe.com 

For a list of more than 200 wedding blogs, go to getmarried.com/ wedding-blog/blogroll.


*SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE DAILY FASHION, BEAUTY AND CELEBRITY BLOG POSTS

WE'RE MAD FOR IT - WHY TV SHOW MAD MEN IS SHAPING WOMEN'S FASHION...

Every so often a television series comes along that is not only addictive viewing but which also sets a fashion trend. The US series Mad Men is such a show. The sleek suits of its advertising executive Don Draper, and rear enhancing frocks of Joan Holloway have a cult following all of their own.

With its impeccable sense of style and painstaking attention to period detail (not to mention the stellar writing and acting that helped it to garner 17 Emmy nominations!), Mad Men has truly taken the fashion world by storm. Michael Kors has designed his entire fall/winter collection around the silhouettes, and retro-styled garments abound in all the high street stores.

Vanity Fair said that it "Is the most stylish-and perhaps best-show on television," and not without reason, the styling, acting and tone of this acclaimed series is absolutely spot-on.
The show's early 1960s costumes are enough to make even the most forward-thinking men and women swoon - and no one wears them better than actress Christina Hendricks. The instant she swished on to TV's Mad Men, as flame-haired office manager Joan Holloway, she gained a legion of fans.

It wasn't just her ample cleavage that drew the eye - after all; even stick-thin Victoria Beckham has one of those these days. It was that tiny waist above classically feminine hips that gave her an old-fashioned va-va-voom. Looking like a Marilyn Monroe body double she suddenly made it desirable to have curves again and no one looks as good as Joan in a fitted pencil skirt with heels.

It would be fair to say that we are all lusting after her incredible on-screen wardrobe, which takes its inspiration from the early sixties. The shapes are straight from the glamorous Screen Siren era, when skirts were full and sweaters were tight and sexy. And the colours are pure candy store - baby blue, pale pink and yellow, with stripes and polka dots thrown in.

MAD MEN  fashion with a modern twist...

So how can you get that look without breaking the bank?
Devoted 2 Vintage have a huge range of authentic original 1960s vintage clothing for both women and men and specialist shops such as Beyond Retro are fantastic options if you want the Mad Men look - without the smell of mothballs. Many high street stores such as Monsoon, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Wallis are stocking cocktail dresses, pencil skirts and vintage style blouses - so they are well worth a visit.


"You don't want to look like you just came out of a vintage shop." says Mad Men's costume designer Janie Bryant. "I think the jewellery from the period is so gorgeous. If you're doing pearls, wear multi-strings of pearls but mix it with something modern, like a pair of skinny jeans. I do think it's about mixing it up and creating your own style. If you wear a sheath, wear a pair of modern shoes - a pair of modern pumps or sandals at that. You don't have to have a matching bag like they did in the days of Mad Men."


To finish the look just add seamed stockings and a smile.







*SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE DAILY FASHION, BEAUTY AND CELEBRITY BLOG POSTS.