A Design Day in Dublin

Home Sweet Home couldn't be any closer to the truth. I love going back to Dublin and seeing all the new up and coming galleries, boutiques and eateries I'm missing out on (an excuse to have a week long binge on all three). It's been a slow process, but Powerscourt Shopping Centre is finally beginning to blossom into a must stop shopping destination. I used to sell in the Loft Market on the top floor and was frustrated at the lack of traffic coming through the building. However, now it seems that Powerscourt has an exciting new assortment of boutiques, markets and eateries to draw us inside. Rubanesque is my favourite stop for buttons, ribbons and sparkly things. Alexa is an old college friend of mine from N.C.A.D and she has done an amazing job with her newly relocated shop in Powerscourt (on the bottom floor close to the front entrance).

Downstairs in Powerscourt, I also came across Bow, a collaboration boutique with a very appealing group of fresh (yet seasoned) Irish designers. Eilis Boyle, Margaret O'Rourke (Mo Muse), Matt Doody and Wendy Crawford take it in turns to work in their shared boutique and they can often be seen powering away on the sewing machine or knitting up a storm behind the counter. In here, I fell in love with a LBD by Eilis Boyle and an over-sized enamel and metal owl necklace by Paul and Joe.

 

I had been yearning to visit Covet as soon as I heard about it. "The Borrowers Boudoir" as they call it themselves, it is a treasure trove of designer dresses and accessories. Not only contemporary dresses, but exquisite vintage designer pieces, dripping with sequins, ornate beading and wispy antique lace. Covet also stock hats and head accessories by up and coming Irish milliner Sarah McGahon. Prices are very reasonable for a three day rental and there are on-hand fashion designers there to guide you and style you. Any future weddings coming up? I know where I'll be renting... how often does a girl get to wear a real deal Alexander Mc Queen dress?!

The Loft Market is open Friday and Sunday 12-6pm and on Saturdays 11-6pm. There are lots of lovely sellers to meet and you can browse their wares as a d.j serenades you with some live tunes.

Then it's back downstairs to the Cupcakes stand by The Sugar Loaf Bakery. Instant sugar hit (go on, Covet has an alteration service...just let the dresses out!) They do special function orders like weddings and hen parties... imagine a cupcake mountain for a wedding cake :)

And now for a bit of culture! The Talbot Gallery has a beautiful exhibition on at the moment featuring the work of Anne Hendrick a multi-talented and prolific Irish artist. Her work shows here until the 16th of November and is definitely worth a peek. Roisin, the very friendly girl working at the gallery,  knew her stuff and was able to give me a consise background on the artist and her work.

And now I'm home to France, broke, full and inspired :) Feel free to inform me of your favourite Dublin spots!