A selection of 'finds' for the wardrobe
CAPE CRUSADE
The cape may be the hottest item in the forthcoming winter season, but it has already winged its way here in a very fluffy French version reminiscent of a 1940s-style shrug. In baby blue, powder pink, cream and chrome yellow, this marabou cape, lined and ribbon-tied in silk, costs €155 from Costume in Castle Market, Dublin. They're proving popular for special occasions; one customer bought one in cream to wear over a long black dress for a wedding. These little bits of fluff can glamorise the most mundane suit or dress and certainly add a cuddle factor.
PARADISE IS HERE
Gillian Leavy's new shop in Dundalk called Eden (after her baby daughter) opened last week. Eden, in Clanbrassil Street, is an elegant Victorian shop furnished with salvaged mahogany, glass panelled partitions and a chandelier. Leavy's good taste in clothes is reflected in her furnishings such as antique chairs, shades from Anthropology in New York and a handsome antique carved oak counter with big drawers. Even the rails are real tailors' mahogany rails. The shop will carry a signature black tulle dress by John Rocha (left) alongside her own label and that of Paul & Joe. Exclusive to the shop are accessories from the Jackson Twins and Chinese style lingerie by Claire Judge called Aloe. Eden will also carry shoes by Luc Berjen and Tracey Neuls. Dundalk is a busy place for weddings - up to four a day - and Leavy has a thriving trade in special occasion wear.
FOR TINY TOES
There's something extra cute about babies' shoes, and something particularly sweet about Inch Blue, a Welsh company making the coolest footwear for babies from six to 12 months. In ultra-soft leather with non-slip suede soles, elasticated ankles without buckles or laces, these little boots come in all kinds of designs, such as these black and yellow exclamation point numbers. Others include pink leather with tiny pink roses and ribbons, and fun leopard or bumble bee prints. The shoes also come in plain colours such as lime, red, orange, navy, red and white, and can be found in the Avoca shops for €22.95 a pair.
