Deirdre McQuillan selects her most stylish gifts
1 Geraldine Fox won this year's RDS National Crafts Competition with her outstanding coats and jackets inspired by 18th century military costume. Now she's making handsome brooches, using both new and vintage military ribbon, decorated with embroidery and beading, and is selling them for €40 apiece. Contact her at 086-3130718.
2 At the Image magazine 30th anniversary party last month, we counted three people wearing this dress. It's the Issa, another seasonal hit, designed by a Brazilian and made in China from 100 per cent silk jersey. It costs €525 and is a challenge to the Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress. This green-patterned number is from Kalu in Naas, the first retailer in Ireland to spot them. Issa can also now be found in Havana in Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Stand up straight, the cleavage is deeeeep.
3 We may be awash in a sea of sequins, but this cute little bucket bag from Dunnes Stores in gunmetal grey sequins caught the light, and our attention - a mere bagatelle at €8. It comes in other metallic colours, though don't hold your breath that they're still there.
4 House of Fraser is the biggest store in the new Dundrum Town Centre, and Links of London, famous for their charm bracelets, have some striking pieces of jewellery there. Imperial Russia was a big theme this winter, and these earrings called Petrovna are l8ct gold with jade domes. They may be small and sweet, but they carry a killer price tag of €895. The Objet Trouvé necklace of sterling silver charms and semi-precious gemstones of jade, turquoise and pearl is €560.
5 Geraldine Fox has also made embroidered leather belts from dyed ostrich skins supplied by Emily and Charles Naper in Loughcrew, Co Meath and embellished with beading and embroidery, €180. 086-3130718.
6 It could almost be an earring - but it's a little Christmas bauble that's colourful and pretty and costs a mere €7. It can be found downstairs in the Pen Corner, Dame Street, Dublin 2 - a real treasure trove of interesting games, cards, wrapping paper and notebooks of all kinds.
7 Tom Ford, fashion's golden boy, made his comeback during the season with his first collection of shades - appropriately for one who likes the limelight. They can be found in the Harvey Nichols boutique in the Dundrum Town Centre. They cost around €240 and come in in three styles, The Aviator, the Film Star and the Sportsman. Take your pick for a shady Christmas present.
8 Lace will be one of next season's white hot trends. Fendi, for example, has this brilliant dress in white, laser-cut lace, with a plastic coated lace belt, in its forthcoming spring collection. Though you don't necessarily need to know your Guipure from your Valencienne, Jenny Vander at 50 Drury Street, Dublin 2, has some antique black lace pieces that show just how beautiful the real stuff is, especially over naked skin.
9 The gloved hand these days takes many forms: the long black leather gauntlets are by Marlene Birger, €175 from Tulle, George's Street Arcade, Dublin. The green gloves are €50 and the long silver ones €85, both from Costume, 10 Castle Market. Dublin 2.
This Mexican black leather belt is more than just an accessory; with its rhinestone buckle, it's a piece of jewellery, too. It's from Tulle, as before, and costs €175.
11 Peter O'Brien made his costume designing debut at the Gate earlier this year with a production of Lady Windermere's Fan - now prints from his original creations are for sale at the Tramyard Gallery in Dalkey, selling for €280 in gilt frames (unframed €180). Tramyard Gallery is also selling his other drawings (such as this one) in boxed sets of cards, costing €30 for five. One woman I know bought the box, then framed all the prints as a gift for her daughter. The gallery also has his new series of cards with drawings of lingerie, bags, gloves, hats and shoes. The Tramyard is at 14 Castle Street, Dalkey, Co Dublin, 01-2351346
Clare Grennan's red resin and silver bangle with matching ring (€60-€200) are statement pieces. She's an award-winning metalwork graduate from NCAD. Her pieces can be found in the National Gallery of Ireland bookshop and at the Cow's Lane market in Temple Bar, Dublin 2 on Saturdays. Contact her at 087-6225335.
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