In Galway and New Scarves Coming

It's here; the day of the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards!  I'm here in Galway for the show tonight, staying at the appropriately themed G hotel which is fashionably eccentric in decor and attitude (incidentally, chosen by my husband, not me!).  If you are ever passing through Galway, you should come here just for a cup of tea!  There were even cupcakes on arrival, how nice.  :)

I'll be showing a small selection of my latest scarves tonight as a finalist in the accessory category; delighted to have been selected to participate and looking forward to seeing the other designers' work.  Here's one of the looks I came up with that wasn't selected for the runway, but gives you a sneak peek of some of the new scarves.  

All the new scarves will be in the shop beginning of next week; sign up for the newsletter to get first notice and exclusive discounts.

Fashion Innovation Awards & Spring Sale

Excited to announce that I'll be participating in the the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards on April 5th in Galway. Filled with inspiration & ready to show some new work! :)  The awards are hosted by Golden Egg Productions, if you'd like to know more check out this link.  

To make way for the new work, and to say hello to the coming spring, I'm delighted to be having a massive sale on the scarves in the shop.   For the next week, you can get a 40% discount on these one-of-a-kind lovingly hand-dyed pieces of luxury by using the code "springspecial" during checkout.   (The sale will be on till March 14th, but keep in mind there is only one of each scarf, so if you've got your eye on a specific one, you might want to get it quickly.  Just saying.)

^ that's Burrow, one of the silk muslin scarves available in the shop

Adventures in Situ: 4 Ideas that Do Not Require Travel

Oh I just loved the first couple minutes of this video, makes me want to go dance around on the windy coast.  Well, and fly, of course.  The last part was a little sad, so feel free to just watch the first 2.5 minutes and just allow yourself to imagine being weightless and free.    

GRAVITY // UN RÊVE DE DEMAIN from Filip Piskorzynski on Vimeo.

4 Adventures that don't require travel:

• Get some kind of exotic tea you've never tried before and brew yourself a pot. (I love Lapsang Souchong; it's like a campfire in a tea cup.... so, maybe you should order some specialty marshmallows from Whimsy and Spice to go with)

 image from whimsy & spice

• Stream a radio station from another city or country.  (I listen to KGSR (Austin, TX) and Triple J (Australia) FM4 (Austria)...... weird, i seem to pick places beginning with "a".....) Or try a genre you aren't familiar with; NPR has a massive list of streaming radio options here. (I'm trying classical music at the moment!)

image from wikipedia 

• A familiar suggestion I'm sure, but BOOKS, of course.  I am often busy making things with my hands, so I like to listen to audio books.  Maybe you don't work with your hands, but you have a long drive or commute to work?  Audiobooks are great for any kind of monotony; put it on an ipod and listen while doing dishes. Currently I'm listening to this fantastical story about two young duelling magicians and a mysterious circus.  The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern (available from Audible or if you prefer to read, Amazon)

image from erinmorgenstern.com 

• How about an aromatic adventure?  One of the things I remember most vividly from a trip to Egypt as a child was the woman selling perfume oils in all these tiny vials....  Even if you never order anything from Villainess their descriptions alone are worth reading.  I just ordered the Jai Mahal perfume oil, but my friend swears by their soaps too.  Just imagine the transporting quality of sudsing up with Dulces en Fuego, Krakatoa, or Pearl Diver. 

image from villainess.net

I hope these ideas help you get thinking about ways to bring a little adventure into your life, even if responsibilities, or finances, or vacation time mean you can't run off to Thailand just yet.  Do you have some ideas?  I would love to hear them. 

Style Ideas -- Yvonne Cronin

For the final post of this series on Style Ideas, I'm delighted to introduce you to Yvonne Cronin.  Another woman of many and varied talents, I originally met Yvonne in her excellent capacity as a stylist; her selections never ceases to amaze and delight.  Her style is idiosyncratic and risky, but always, always works.  Of course, you can see that below; but in case that isn't enough (it never is, is it!?) have a look at more of her styling work here and here.  I also had the pleasure of attending her solo art exhibition recently held in LUCA on Princes St.; in particular, I loved her abstract lanscape painitngs with their beautiful use of color and sense of movement.  Furthermore, Yvonne pursues her love for theater through her dance & musical performances.  (Yvonne doesn't currently have a website, but if you would like to hire an excellent stylist, you can get in touch with her via facebook.)

In the first two images Yvonne wears Ferris which got scooped up by a facebook follower before I even had a chance to name it.  Buoy has more aqua to it, but bears some similarity to Ferris, so you might want to check that one out.  In the second images, Yvonne wears silk/gold combo scarf Magi, which just sold today, however I just put several more silk/gold scarves in the shop, so have a look.  I so adored what Yvonne did with tying the scarf in a neck bow in that last image, that i've adopted it for the product shots; and I've worn them this way too now, and it looks darling.  Also, unrelated, I would like to steal her entire hat & shoe collection (especially those gold shoes..... available at LUCA of course...)!

Yvonne on her style and the scarves:

I like to layer. layer layer layer.. in fact i paint in a very similar style... and oH! lordy, how i do love vintage.. 

Ths scarves are divine. great size-great weight in fabric, they do what they're told &every each one is unique in a colourway/print! really gorgeous!

Be sure to check out the other style posts if you missed them; I love all the different ideas these women came up with.  

Update -- In Honor of Katie Noel

Last Thursday was the final step in my part of the Katie Noel scarf project as I shipped out the 24 scarves inspired by her.  I can't really express what it has meant to me to work on this project, which has in its own way been filled with meaningful metaphors about love, work, and grace; I think Katie would have appreciated that.  Her memory has been ever-present during the creation of these gifts, even making an appearance in my dreams; radiant as ever.  I hope that people will find that the scarves carry that essence.  I am deeply grateful to her mom, Jeanne Parsons, for giving me the idea for this project and for the heartfelt support which has allowed us to collectively donate $1150 to PPH medical research.  Thank you all so very very much.  With love, Laura 

Style Ideas -- Margaret Urbanowicz

With her stunning looks, professional demeanor, and of course her fashionable blog (which has been going over a year now!), you certainly wouldn't guess that Margaret is only 16.  But it is true!  While she tends to be charmingly modest about her talents in person, she clearly knows what she wants and that is to share her love of composing outfits.  And she does it well;  her style choices resonate classiness, edge, and fun; great inspiration for women of all ages.  I most definitely was not so stylish (or focused) when I was a teenager (the memories are often cringe-worthy).  Keep an eye on this one; from shopping & event suggestions to her styling and photography I know you will find yourself infused with her enthusiasm!

In the first and third images Margaret wears Mira, hand-dyed scarf in the finest 100% wool gauze.  In the second image she wears gold/silk scarf Haima (already purchased, however there are other gold/silk combos in the shop, with more to come this week!).

Margaret on her style and the scarves:

I think of my style as very minimalist, I like to keep my outfits classy. I try to follow style not fashion but I must admit that I love to smuggle a hint of the latest trends in some of my outfits. 

I found the scarves were quite easy to style thanks to the patterns and colours that make your outfit look amazing without putting much effort into styling. They look well with everything, no matter if you're out for a party, meeting or work. I love the fact that they're handmade, and really unique so you can be sure that you won't see your friend wearing the same scarf and at last but not least they're made of high quality fabrics so they will last for long, (you can pass them on to your grandchildren!).

Style Ideas -- Julia Jensen

My dear friend Julia Jensen is one of those people that you meet and are pretty sure you've known forever.  Being a delightful collaborator and with her eye for beautiful combinations, Julia was invaluable in helping style the first scarf photoshoot.  She also created the lovely earrings for the shoot, which are available in her accessories line Boho and Plume.  Of course, I hardly need to mention that she's a stunning model, you can see for yourself.  She's been featured in a variety of projects, one of my favorite being the beauty editorial in the first issue of None Magazine and more recently in Confetti Magazine.  Check out her modelling & art portfolios.  (Since she's one of those fortunate people with both beauty AND brains, she's also simultaneously working on her Masters in Second Language Acquisition at UCC.)  Julia will be selling her Boho & Plume designs at the Pavilion Bar Boot Sale on Sunday December 4th from 1-6pm.  Go say hello and treat yourself to a little gift!  Or if you must, get someone else a gift, I suppose it is the season and all.... 

In the first image, Julia wears fine wool gauze scarf Pyre, and in the second image she is wearing Rhododendron (which thanks to this, I've just realized I mistakenly categorized as 'sold', so now it is available if you'd like to grab it!)

Julia on her style and the scarves:

I would describe my style (on a good day) as Boho Chic I like to look nice but I love being comfortable!

At the moment I have a thing for nude tones contrasted with black I think it looks quite effortless- and also I have a little colour crush on lilac, I think it is such a relaxing colour to wear! 

The scarves were very easy to style; their colours are such that one of them could be styled with almost anything!  The only issue was choosing my favourite, as I'd happily have them all!!  

Style Ideas -- Cathy Jackson

I met the darling Cathy Jackson through Cork Fashion Week in 2010 and knew from the first instant that I adored her; Cathy just emanates amiability and a delight for creating.  While Cathy works full time as a designer for Calvin Klein Golf, she also makes the time to create her own beautiful collection every year.  Her work combines vintage influences with contemporary twists and, always, with excellent execution; in particular, I'm in love with her lovely new handbag designs which she's selling THIS WEEKEND at Le Chat Noir Vintage Christmas Fair in Cork (eeek, sorry for the last minute notice...).  For those who can't make it to the market, get in touch with her via her website.  I'll be hounding her to set up a webshop because more people in the world need to own her creations, but in the meantime check out her fabulous styling selections:

Cathy wears silk twill scarf called Rhizome.  (This scarf is no longer for sale, but if you get a Surprise Me scarf and mention Rhizome in the message to seller during checkout, I can create you something in the same vein.)

I love that you can tell from her choices that Cathy really likes to switch up her style from one day to the next.  And yes, those are her fantastic handbag creations I was mentioning earlier.  In the second image she also wears an emerald green top of her own design.  

Cathy on her style and the scarves:

I would describe my style as eclectic – one day I’m going with one look and the next – it’s completely the opposite – I love throwing odd things together and making them work (that’s not to say that it works all the time though!)  

I loved working with the scarves – they almost create their own shape by themselves – I felt truly luxurious wearing them – and so amazing to touch - so soft – if pillows were made using your scarves – I’d sleep all day! 

Style Ideas -- Lisa Falzon

Lisa Falzon is a prolific creator: from fine art to digital illustration, from books to microfiction, from jewelry to elaborate fascinators.   She has a distinct sense for the theatrical which can be seen in both her work and her day to day style choices; she's not the kind of person that goes walking down the street unnoticed.  From the shocking red streaks in her long hair to her eccentric bag collection to her captivating conversation, Lisa commands attention.  On the track too, as a fellow skater for the Cork City Firebirds you are unlikely to miss her distinctive ululating call.  

Here, Lisa wears a silk muslin scarf called Cannon.  And in case you were wondering, her bag is called Smuff Jr.

Some of her thoughts on her style and the scarves:

"I'm a big fan of statement accessories, primary colours and layering textures like fur, leather and feathers. I like dramatic clothing coupled with a dash of humour. I don't really take it all that seriously, I just try to have fun with it.

This wouldn't be my typical look in that I don't often wear so much black. I will only wear black if I punctuate it with colour, and wanted to display how the scarf could be used to soften the harsh look I chose as well as keep it grown-up and un-teeny.

I adore the scarves - the colours and the way they shift depending on how you style it, or the way they catch the breeze is just luscious, they elevate any outfit.  I love owning one [Primordial] because so often it's been that last crucial accessory to lift my outfit from blah to chic."

Style Ideas -- Kristin Croissant

Next up we have artist and fellow American abroad, Kristin Croissant.  While she is best known for her custom pet portraits, her recent Cork themed city-scapes & market images are gorgeous as well.  (oh and she JUST opened her etsy shop to sell them!!) Lesser known (at least in this part of the world where she's still relatively new...), but equally impressive is Kristin's ability to throw one hell of a party.  I've seen the pictures of everything from her Octoberfest shabang to her woodland themed baby shower; she gets it right down to the last detail.  She's masterminding the Hedgehog Fibres opening party on December 3rd (to which you are all invited!), and I can't wait to see what she does.    Kristin shares her artistry, cooking escapades, and stories of expat life on her blog Croissant Craic and you can check out her pet portfolio over here.  Go on, you totally know you want a beautiful oil portrait of your loyal dog....

Kristin wears a fine wool gauze scarf called Alluvium. 

Kristin on her style and the scarves:

"My overall style is classic, simple, and a little bit preppy.  My life here is much more casual than it was back in the states, so the whole jeans, t-shirts, and cardigan paired with ballet flats has sort of become my uniform.

I feel about your scarves the way I feel about most accessories. You can be wearing a paper bag as long as you have on great shoes/jewelry/handbag. These scarves are like the great piece of jewelry that elevates/changes the look!  I like the simplicity of just being able to scrunch them up twist it around and voila you're done!  On a wet Irish day like today, I would appreciate the warmth and bulk of the wool.

For the second outfit, I brought a basic cotton brown dress. It's the sort of thing I would throw on over a bathing suit at the beach, and then when the sun dips down and it's cocktail time, throw on some heels, sparkly earrings, and your fab scarf and it's a new and different outfit! Plus the lightweight wool scarf is a perfect jacket replacement for cooler spring and summer evenings."

While Kristin was over for the shoot she also picked up one of the new gold-silk scarves and tied it as a headband, and it looked so darling I'm totally going to do this myself!  This scarf is called Archangel and is available in the shop for $65.