I wrote about Irish designer Natalie B Coleman when I saw her first collection “Damaged Goods” and fell in love with her aesthetic. Thankfully she’s back with her AW11 collection called “All the Jewellery I Never Got”. It’s a collection of print, layering and whimsical storytelling. All the illustrations are hand drawn, water coloured and digitally printed on silks, making the fabrics 100% unique and original.

There’s a pretty cool story behind the collection and the name. Natalie, the designer, was inspired by women and their desire for romance and magic. Despite having a lot of love affairs the only jewellery she got came in the form of the inheritance of my mothers jewellery a couple of years ago. This is a tongue and cheek fingers up to the lousy exes of her past!

I especially love the white blouse with giant jewels! Mmmmmm

Photography by Liam Murphy, Styling by Aisling Farinella

I’m really into green right now. Maybe it’s the Jil Sander effect or maybe I’ve finally gotten over the Irish dancing costume hang ups of old. Either way I think there’s a strength and freshness about it that it’s lacking in some of the other brights of the season. I’m all for hot pink and tangerine but green feels a bit more subtle and bit less trend slave! There’s an amazing pair of silk green trousers in Zara with my name on them. I’ll wear with a white tee, my Lanvin for H&M blazer and leopard print shoes. Now where will I go!?

Images from Jak & Jil

I’m generally not a Juicy babe (Couture, that is). I find it a bit much, a bit Yummy Mummy. Or maybe spoiled offspring of said Yummy but this neon watch has got my juices flowing! The pink and orange clash, the Toywatch feel and generally plastic-ness of the whole thing. I’m mad for a bit of neon lately and these Buffalo sandals will be mine soon, I think they’re deadly!!

Watch: €149, shoes: €145

Dublin photographer Hazel Coonagh will be hosting her debut exhibition in the Workman’s Club next week. I worked with Hazel briefly for The Dubliner and loved her style immediately. Have a look through her website, the ‘places’ shots are particularly awesome…

Oh yes, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign is about to move into full swing and as always Brown Thomas have created a cool bag, this time by Marc Jacobs. It costs €35 and will go on sale in all Brown Thomas and BT2 stores on Fashion Targets Friday, May 6th 2011.  All of the proceeds will go to Action Breast Cancer (a programme of the Irish Cancer Society) and Europa Donna Ireland (raising awareness of breast cancer issues in Ireland).

Go forth and support in style…

Topshop have been involved with Fashion Targets Breast Cancer since 2005 and I always love their take on it. The t-shirts are cool and wearable so you’re helping out without looking like a tit-happy days! Continuing the trend for blogger domination-Susie Lau of Style Bubble and Bip Ling both put their own spin on the €27 tee. Which look do you prefer?!

• Stylist: Angela Scanlon
• Photography: Johnny Savage
• Hair: Maurice Flynn
• Make Up: Kate Rose Crean

Designers: Eilis Boyle, Mia O’Connell, John Rocha, Emma Manley, Natalie B Coleman, Tim Ryan

Angela Scanlon from REDradar on Vimeo.

Oh sweet Jesus, me talking about accessories and other such loveliness! And TIPS!

A couple of weeks back I pulled together the whole Monsoon press day. I’ve done it for the past couple of seasons and it’s actually lots of fun! I think Monsoon can be a bit daunting for people as it’s so full of colour and flounce and frills and bohemian lushness! It’s nice to be able to edit it down into concise collections that are ‘digestable’ and desirable. I’ve talked to lots of friends who agree that if you manage to focus in Monsoon you can find some real gems in there…. The Spring/Summer collection is really beautiful so pop in and indulge yourself!

Images above from the store, thanks to Presence PR

There’s no knowing where inspiration might come from. It’s as spontaneous as it is intangible. For me it could be in a colour, a texture or an expression. Sometimes the figures and styles that I’m drawn to are so vastly different that I wonder what my own style is or who I am!! One day its rocking leather and layered fur, another it’s the simplicity of a great coat and classic pair of jeans and some days it’s the eclectic and ballsy style of a chick with a mohawk using a blanket for a home…

While AW11 appears to be subtle in it’s newness and talk has been more centred on designers rather than design, there are elements of these collections and the mood that I’m looking forward to. The abundant textures and layering of mismatched fabrics is one of the key trends and something that’s relatively easy to achieve; it encourages experimenting and there’s really no wrong way to do it. Even Celine the minimalist Queen has branched out and included some texture as had Hannah Mc Gibbon at Chloe; those lush, exotic snake skins are the perfect accompaniment to the simple lines and shapes we’ve grown to love.

Before I get off the point completely (what was the point, oh no!)… Right, well anyway this season, next season and every season as far as I’m concerned is about enjoying fashion and clothes. So play dress up or dress down, or both if you can manage! Get into character, live the dream and enjoy…

Images via The Sartorialist