Paris, Haute Couture

Went to see the Swarovski Paris Haute Couture exhibition last Saturday at Hotel De Ville, Paris. The exhibition presents 100 garments selected from the Musee Galliera and features what are believed to be the most beautiful and delicate pieces.

Maison Martin Margiela

A Chanel toile from 2012. Why don't my toiles look this neat?!

Madame Gres dress with her signature folding and tucking. Unbelievable amount of work in this dress.. the mind boggles to think how long something like this would have taken.

Crazy cut out dresses.

Galliano dress. Cadbury's bling!

This Givenchy dress was my favourite. It's hard to see unless you're very close but it's intricately decorated with tiny chains. I guess that's the great thing about getting to see these pieces up close. You can really appreciate the craftsmanship. Kind of helps to justify the price tags!

Alli's wedding

I was recently asked by my friend Alli to make this bridal jacket for her wedding. Here she is on the day looking radiant. 

The "making" of the jacket however was slightly unconventional. Due to a 7 hour delay (Yep, that's S-E-V-E-N HOURS) at Paris Charles De Gaulle airport, I realised I wouldn't have time to finish Alli's lovely jacket when I arrived at my B&B in Cork the day before the wedding. I had no choice but to take out my pins and needles and sew the jacket together at the airport. Not the ideal fashion atelier but I had a nice view of the runway while I stitched :) 

Argggh! Monster Fashion

I'm currently based in Paris working for a French fashion label and on Sunday I took some time off to see Arrrgh! Monstres de Mode a new fashion exhibition at la Gaîté Lyrique. Very.. very.. strange. And very inspiring.

I love this scary taxidermy swan head piece by Mads Dinesen

 Beautiful, creepy bear dress by Erika Mizuno

My wool flower dress in CAKE magazine

Photography: Felicity Ingram

Styling: Mary-Anna Kearney

Delighted to be featured in the Evening Herald this week :)

Some of my dresses and my flower leather jacket from the Paradise Lost collection, photographed by Claire Harrison

V&A Ballgowns

On Sunday I realised it was the last day to see the Ballgowns - British Glamour since 1950 exhibition at the V&A so I dashed in just on time to get a ticket. I'm so glad I did. It was incredible. 

Photography was not exactly allowed, per se, but I managed to snap these images of my favourite dresses before the security guy had a word.. 

My all time favourite.. this wacky dress by Cindy Beadman from the late 70's

Evening coat designed designed by Elsa Schiaparelli in collaboration with Jean Cocteau

This Elizabeth and David Emanuel taffeta dress was worn by Joan Collins