Willow

“Somewhere the timing will all come together

The mishaps will turn into sunny Decembers

The lovers will be able to find their willow

I wouldn't leave you

I would hold you

When the last day comes”

~ Jasmine Thompson

One of my favourite pieces from Manley’s Spring/Summer collection was the gorgeous, embellished, green Tabby dress (blogged here). I was beside myself with excitement when I heard that it was returning in the brands A/W17 collection, in black, and “not quite as you’d expect” Emma Manley teased.

She wasn’t kidding; featuring the same 1960s inspired silhouette, the newly named ‘Willow’ dress is made in a much more Winter friendly wool and cashmere, almost fleece-like material. For Autumn/Winter the embellished flowers were replaced with the coolest gold, silver, and black studs on black patent leather inserts.

‘Willow’ is a beauty alright, a much more dramatic version of her Summery counterpart, and I will be wearing her throughout this seemingly neverending Winter; as a Mary Quant-esque dress with towering heels, and layered as a long-line waistcoat over jeans and classic tees.

Get The Look:

Dress: Manley ‘Willow’ Dress in black

Shoes: Dior ‘Extreme’ Shoes (similar here and here)
Photos: Jason Connery ©

The Blue And The Grey

"Lonely the wind calls

Over the fields

Of the blue and the grey

And slowly the night falls

It hides and conceals

Oh the blue and the grey"

~ Tony Clarken

US brand Halston was synonymous with the 1970s and the iconic era of Studio 54. Their huge influence on the pop culture of the time was cemented with clients such as Bianca Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor and Anjelica Huston wearing their beautiful designs. Halston Heritage reimagines some of the classic designs from the brands archives, giving us a very modern take on 70s glamour.

This gorgeous washed-satin dress is a beauty; I can imagine Bianca Jagger wearing it back in the day at Studio 54 or Sex And The City's Carrie Bradshaw wearing it more recently with killer heels in NYC.

In a cool, dark-gray colour, it features rolled kimono style cuffs, slit pockets to the side and button fastenings through the front. It is cut for a slightly loose fit but a drawstring at the waist can add some definition.

Unable to get Carrie Bradshaw out of my mind when styling the dress, I paired it with gorgeous Dior shoes that featured in the first SATC movie; they are pure 1970s and more comfortable to wear than you can imagine! I added a glossy pink lip and a blue clutch bag for a very contemporary take on 1970s cool.

Get The Look:

Dress: Halston Heritage Washed Satin Mini Dress in Dark Gray (similar)

Shoes: Dior 'Extreme'Shoes in metallic (similar)

Bag: Ally Capellino 'Rose' Clutch bag in blue (similar)

The Midi Skirt

 

The midi, or mid-length, skirt is sometimes regarded as being dowdy, with some gals fearful it will make them look frumpy. They imagine it will cut their calves in half, thicken their ankles or shorten their legs. Oh how wrong they are!

The midi has become a very credible style staple. Between mini & maxi lengths, the midi sits below the knee and above the ankle; it is an ultra-ladylike, poised, chic style. The reality is that it shows off a tiny waist and highlights trim ankles. Leaving more to the imagination makes it a sexy and alluring style.

Being such a a short girl I must admit I was a bit nervous to try this potentially tricky style but being made up mostly of legs I was assured that I could carry it off. I turned to my favourite Designer, Ireland's Emma Manley, for inspiration. Her 'Erin' skirt is such a cool, punked-up take on the midi trend. Made from perforated navy leather, it features a cross-over double front and a lamb nappa waistband in black with snap fastener detail. The perforated leather is studded with conical antique gold studs, the skirt has pockets on the side seam, is fully lined in silk and, thanks to all the studs, it literally jingles, rattles and sings along with every step you take!

I styled my skirt with a fantastic matching top; the 'Dakota' sleeveless, button down silk shirt. It features the same navy perforated leather as the skirt on its bodice and is embellished with the same Manley signature stud detail. The metallic Dior shoes add a very 70s touch & the vibrant red of the gorgeous, over-sized Nadia Minkoff clutch brings a great pop of colour to this super cool look.

Get The Look:

Skirt: Emma Manley 'Erin' Studded Midi Skirt in navy

Top: Emma Manley 'Dakota' Sleeveless Shirt

Shoes: Dior 'Extreme' Metallic Shoes (similar)

Bag: Nadia Minkoff 'The Aldwych' Over-sized Clutch in London red (similar)

Manley Dungarees

Dungarees are set to be a big thing this season. You can get them in cute summery shorts styles, full length trousers or you can rock the look the feminine way with a dungaree style dress.

The 'Austin' dress, by one of my favourite Designers Emma Manley, is a fantastic take on the trend. In a neutral silver colour, it is anything but manly; it features a leather bodice (a beautiful, unexpected change from the traditional denim usually associated with dungarees) with a single pocket detail to the centre front, snap fasteners at the hip, strap fastening to the front and a fully lined skirt that sits slightly longer at the back.

I styled my dress with a very tailored crisp white shirt. Sticking with the muted colour of the dress I added metallic heels and a bright red lipstick added a lovely pop of colour. My treasured Chloe mini 'Paddington' bag to carry all my essentials completed the look. 

The styling possibilities for a piece like this are endless; it can be teamed with a feminine, girly blouse, a cool t-shirt or a cute crop top for a great 90s throwback look.

Get The Look:

Dress: Manley 'Austin' Dungaree Dress in silver (similar)

Shirt: Hugo Boss 'Linot' Shirt (similar)

Shoes: Dior 'Extreme' Shoes (similar)

Bag: Chloe mini 'Paddington' Bag (similar)

I Believe In Pink

My t-shirt obsession is showing no signs of abating. This is no bad thing of course as you simply can't have too many great tees; it is an impossible thing.

I saw this stunning Lennon Courtney silk t-shirt when I was in Dublin recently. I very stupidly didn't buy it & I'd been kicking myself ever since. My lovely Husband (who I'm sure was sick of hearing me droning on and on about it) very sweetly said he would treat me to it for our Wedding Anniversary, so we popped into Wolf & Badger in Notting Hill on a sunny Saturday afternoon to buy it.

When we got there, who did we bump into but the Designers, Sonya Lennon & Brendan Courtney themselves!! You just couldn't make something like that happen! They are as charming as they are talented and I was in heaven for the next hour or so, talking fashion with them over a few of glasses of Prosecco! It was such a pleasure to meet them both as I am a huge fan of their amazing designs.

My Husband whisked me off to our favourite restaurant that evening for a wonderful surprise night of delicious food & cocktails; I wore my beautiful new top, paired with a gorgeous Lennon Courtney skirt & a great pair of Zebra print Manolo Blahnik shoes. I wore it again the next day (thank goodness I didn't dribble cocktails down the front!), dressed down with cute boyfriend jeans & towering metallic Dior heels.

In a vibrant, hot pink this top is a luxurious reinvention of the classic tee. A basic t-shirt shape, it features short sleeves, single button closure to the neck and is 100% silk. It has an easy, relaxed fit and the breathtaking colour makes it a real standout piece. I've never been questioned or complimented so much about an item of clothing, everyone fell in love with it!

Get The Look:

Top: Lennon Courtney Silk Tee in hot pink

Jeans: Current/Elliott 'The Roller' Boyfriend Jeans (similar)

Shoes: Dior 'Extreme' Gladiator Shoes (similar)

Skirt: Lennon Courtney Leather Box-pleat Skirt in black (similar)

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik 'Sedaraby' d'Orsay' shoes in zebra print (similar)

Bag: Cambridge Satchel Co. Classic 11" Satchel in black

Dakota Flair

My ever growing Manley collection recently welcomed this little beauty into the fold; the Dakota Flair dress is one of those pieces you can dress up, dress down and wear absolutely anywhere. It is gorgeous!

The dress, in a delicate nude pink colour, features a perforated leather front and back panel. The leather is hand cut with a scalloped edge and is studded with Manley's signature conical antique gold studs. The jersey side panels are flared and ties come from either side of the leather front and leather back panels.

I styled the dress with metallic heels from Dior & a cute ASOS feather clutch bag for a cool, dressy look. Simple as that.

Get The Look:

Dress: Manley Dakota Flair Dress in pink

Shoes: Dior 'Extreme' Gladiator Sandals (similar)

Bag: ASOS Feather Clutch (similar)