Fashion Forward: Steal Vs Splurge and MIA joining forces with H&M

Deirdre McQuillan and Dominique McMullan on this week's style news and tips.

The pom pom trend meets tribal in this week’s steal vs splurge.  (€244.40 left, €29.99 right)
The pom pom trend meets tribal in this week’s steal vs splurge. (€244.40 left, €29.99 right)

STEAL VS SPLURGE

We’re dreaming of warmer climes with these Gretchen lace-up sandals for €244.40  from samedelman.com, but we’re loving the reality of this lace-up sandal for €29.99 from New Look.

RECYCLING GOES MIA

The 40 year old British rapper known as MIA has joined forces with H & M with a new music video for World Recycle Week which takes place from 18-24 April. The Swedish giant aims to collect more than one thousand tonnes of unwanted or worn out garments from customers in its more than 3,600 stores worldwide for their Garment Collecting initiative. The plan is to recycle the garments to create textile fibres for new products and MIA’s video which can be seen from 1 April on hm.com highlights the environmental impact of clothes going to landfill around the world. Since the company launched Garment Collecting three years ago in every store, it has collected over 25,000 tonnes of clothing and in 2014 introduced its first new garments using the recycled fibres. By recycling just one t-shirt, 2,100 litres of water can be saved.

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WOOLMARK WIN IN NEW YORK6

In a first for an Irish designer, a collection by London based Catherine Teatum Jones inspired by Agnes Morrough Bernard who founded Foxford Woollen Mills in 1892 won the International Woolmark prize at New York Fashion Week. The collection with its innovative use of merino, partly fabricated by the Foxford Woollen Mills in Catherine’s parents’ home county of Mayo was the first London based label to win the award in its entire sixty three years. The first winners were Karl Lagerfeld and Yves St Laurent. There were more than 70 contestants for the coveted prize and the Aus $100,000 will help Teatum and her partner Rob Jones develop their business. Catherine is the daughter of Seamus Teaum from Carracastle and her mother Mary (formerly Mullarkey) is from Bangor Erris. The capsule collection will go on sale all over the world including Saks Fifth Avenue, Harvey Nichols in London, David Jones in Australia and Isetan in Japan.

STYLE SECRET

“When getting dressed in the morning own your wardrobe choices with confidence. Follow your instincts, embrace your shape and always endeavour to be comfortable. Scandinavian minimalism is bang on trend. A blend of fashion and function is key for both the modern man and woman.” Laura Mullet, stylist

COVET THIS

Wedding dresses are emotional affairs, but those who might think of hiring rather than buying a dress should head to Covet in Powerscourt Townhouse where head of design Aleana O Shea and previously a designer for Carolina Herrera in New York has introduced a new bridal suite. Prices start at 175 to borrow a wedding dress or 475 to buy and her stable of designers includes well known names such a Rachel Gilbert, Badgley Mischka and Jenny Packham along with their own Covet collection. These three are from left the Sophia dress, 195 to borrow 525 to buy, the Rachel Gilbert skirt and top, to borrow 350, to buy 1395 (sample) and Tadashi Shoji Swan gown to borrow 295 or custom order 945. Visit www.covet.ie for more info.

WEAR IT

What is it about a blue suede shoe that so enthuses the male eye? Blue suede goes well with denim jeans of course and this classic 6-inch boot by Timberland offering all the same features as the original with a monochromatic open weave inspired pattern, looks completely different in indigo blue nubuck. And it's waterproof too. 200 at www.timberlandireland.ie