My Fair Lady

Regular readers of my blog know how much I love & support Irish fashion; two of my favourite Designers being Ireland's Emma Manley & Natalie B Coleman, both of whom feature regularly in my posts.

I am so excited to have recently discovered yet another fantastic Irish brand - Lennon Courtney. Developed by two of Ireland’s leading fashion stylists and style commentators, Sonya Lennon and Brendan Courtney, the brand is a range of elegant, ladylike wardrobe staples. Their first collection, entitled ‘The Weekend’ consists of classic, day-to-night pieces that are inspired by "a confident woman embracing her dark side".

This beautiful skirt was my first purchase, followed very closely by the pretty silk organza top. I fell in love with this beautiful ensemble in the brands Lookbook & couldn't wait to recreate it. The skirt, in the softest faux-leather, is a beautiful mix of vintage and contemporary. The flattering A-line shape nips in the waist, making it look tiny and it is perfectly paired with the stunning puff sleeve top. A simple pair of black court shoes & a bright red lipstick finishes this elegant look off beautifully.

The great thing about both of these pieces is that they will go with so many other things in my wardrobe. I've already worn the skirt with a great band t-shirt for a cool rock & roll look & the top will look fantastic with jeans, all kinds of skirt shapes & high-waisted shorts; oh the styling potential is endless! You will definitely be seeing more Lennon Courtney posts on here; I've already bought a beautiful white maxi dress that I know you will all adore!

Get The Look:

Top: Lennon Courtney Puff Sleeve Organza Top in green

Skirt: Lennon Courtney Full Leather Skirt in black

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' Shoes in black (similar)

Winter White

My favourite colour to wear this Winter is white; it is the seasons hottest colour and had a huge presence on the AW13 catwalks.

The trick to wearing Winter whites is getting the fabric right; delicate Summery cottons, sheer silks & light linens simply won't work. Instead, go for heavier textiles, chunky knits, sports-luxe quilting, heavy silk/satins and tough leathers.

The Manley 'Hail' dress is a beautiful take on this potentially tricky trend. Made from the softest leather, the dress features Emma Manley's signature stud embellishment throughout. It is bold without being over the top or flamboyant, elegant and comfortable but still sexy and, as with all of Emma's designs, it is very very cool.

I added a monochrome touch to my outfit by styling the dress with black Christian Louboutin shoes and a bright red lip added a lovely pop of colour. The crisp, clean look of a white dress on dark, dreary Winter days will always make you stand out from the crowd!

Get The Look:

Dress: Emma Manley 'Hail' Leather Studded Dress in white (similar here and here)

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Very Prive' Peep-toe Shoes in black

Lipstick: MAC 'Ruby Woo' Red Lipstick

Snapshot: Boyfriend Jeans

Snapped Wearing:

Jeans: Current/Elliott 'The Roller' Jeans

Shirt: Hugo Boss 'Linot' Silk Shirt

Shoes: Karen Millen Stacked Heel Ankle Boots

Bag: The Cambridge Satchel Co. Classic 11'' Satchel in red

Heavy Metal

One of the hottest trends for A/W13 is the metallic trend. You can find metallics everywhere; shoes, bags, clothes, even our makeup is sparkling. High shine textures in pastels, bronzes, cool silvers and rich golds are brightening up the dreary Autumn and Winter days.

Ultra modern & very cutting edge, this trend is not for the faint hearted. The key to wearing this potentially tricky look is to keep it simple, wearing one metallic piece at a time. This beautiful Manley leather skirt, in a pale metallic gold, is one of the most gorgeous pieces of clothing I have ever seen! Bold and bright, it creates an effortless edginess and makes a dazzling style statement.

To balance out the look and to stop it looking too futuristic and space-agey, I paired the skirt with a simple navy, loose fitting top. I kept all my accessories very neutral and simple; a great pair of flat black brogues from High-street favourite Topshop and the most fabulous black satchel from The Cambridge Satchel Co. I am obsessed with these amazing satchels and I want one in every single colour!

I love this cool, easy to wear, daytime look. The sun may not be shining at the moment, but my skirt certainly is!

Get The Look:

Skirt: Emma Manley Dakota Metallic Skater Skirt in champagne

Top: Emma Manley Dakota Basic Tee in navy

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

Shoes: Topshop 'Milla' Brogues in black (similar)

After Dark All Cats Are Leopards

Antipodium's 'Intersection' coat, in a fabulous, mixed leopard print tapestry, is quite simply the coolest coat of the season. I was lusting after it from the moment I spied it online! 

A great transeasonal piece, it is made from an easy-wear woven fabric and features hidden buttons, side paneling with two large pockets and is finished with a detachable shearling collar (not seen here).

I wore it for a rainy day out with a cute black dress from Twenty8twelve, my 'wear them with everything' black patent ASOS brogues & a great black satchel from The Cambridge Satchel Co.

Get The Look:

Coat: Antipodium 'Intersection' Coat

Dress: Twenty8Twelve 'Denise' Dress in ebony (similar)
Shoes: ASOS 'Marky' Patent Brogues in black

Photos: Kate Carpenter