tabitha Fashion / Photography / Art / Design / Music
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Faye Bollard-Photography / Danish Hair Design / Dress Unicorn Design
Linen &Ware... Vintage Too
A Touch of Glamour LaTouche Place, Greystones, Co. Wicklow www.linenandwarevintagetoo.net
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Editor’s Note In case you haven’t noticed before, we love vintage! From clothes and music, to cars and homes, there’s something so cool about being able to bring new life to something that has already had it’s day. Fashion has become so fast in the last few years that it’s good to balance that out. Introducing a vintage element to your life is a great way of doing so. Not only will your wardrobe or home benefit from items with a bit of history, you can give yourself kudos for recycling too! We decided to dedicate our 4th issue of tabitha to vintage in Ireland, something which has taken a huge leap in popularity over the last number of years. On page 46 we have taken inspiration from the S/S 13 catwalks to shine a new light on how vintage can be worn.. Sinead Lally, owner of Cotton Face Vintage takes us through a week of a vintage store owner on page 12. Of course no issue of tabitha would be complete without ‘we heart your style’. This time we have focused on two ladies who rock vintage pieces in their own unique ways.
Contributors Editors Una O`Boyle // Louise Ryan // Shane O`Connor Sub Editor Clare Cassidy Graphic Design Kyle ó Murchú Contributors: Roisin Kiberd Erica Coburn Kim Cadogan Sarah O`Neill
Cover Page and Alternative covers Model : Alicia Kavanagh @ Distinct Model Management Photo: Shane O Connor Styling : Una O Boyle, Louise Ryan MUA: Jennifer Doyle Dress: Carousel Shot @ The Work Horse Studio Tabitha, 1
Sugar Rush Model: Simona @ Catwalk Modelling Agency MUA: Maria Hynes Photos: Shane O’Connor Styling: Una O’Boyle // Louise Ryan
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Above, Tee // Fanci Schmanci Vintage, Denim Dungaree Dress // Dolly Frocks, Belt // Sunglasses // Public Romance Right, Shorts // Crop Top // Dolly Frocks, Jacket // Belt // Public Romance Tabitha, 4
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Top // Public Romance, Skirt // Fanci Schmanci Vintage
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Top // Public Romance Right, Top// Scarf //Public Romance, Jacket // Dolly Frocks, Shorts // Glasses // Thrifted
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Top // Public Romance Jacket // Crop Top // Belt // Scarf // Public Romance , Shorts // Dolly Frocks
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Top // Public Romance , Shorts // Dolly Frocks
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A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF.......
Sinead Lally, owner of online vintage store Cotton Face Vintage We’re being nosy again here in Tabitha HQ, not only are we peeking into people’s wardrobes each issue in our ‘we heart your style’ section, we are now asking people to share their daily diaries (all for your reading pleasure!). Since starting our blog and magazine there have been numerous people in the same line of work as us that we look up to and respect for their enthusiasm and drive to work for themselves in this industry. Sinead Lally is definitely one lady whose work we admire. Sinead set up her online vintage store, Cotton Face Vintage, in 2011. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and has gained many loyal followers and customers, due to Sinead’s stylish eye and ability to spot a trend on the horizon and quickly finding a vintage alternative to it. Sinead started blogging in 2008 which opened her up to a world of opportunity, and over the last couple of years has set up Cotton Face Vintage, has continued blogging and has made one of her dreams come true; setting up an indoor style thrift market in Galway, called Pandoras Box which is on every month. We asked Sinead to share with us some of her favourite spots around her hometown of Galway and what she gets up to on a weekly basis running her online business.
1.Thrift Shopping (Left) Thrift shopping is one of my favourite things to do and I just love the thrill of finding something unique and inexpensive and giving it a new life. 2.Pandoras Box This thrift-style indoor market event is my little baby and first of its kind in Galway. It is held once a month on the rooftop of the Electric Garden and Theatre venue in Galway-you will find rails of vintage clothes, retro bits, pre-loved items and craft stalls up there with some added tunes, tea, cakes, smiley faces and lots of thriftersthis is where I’m happiest! 3. Scouting Scouting for locations for future photo shoots for Cotton Face Vintage is another lovely side of the job where you get to be creative and hang out with other creative minds. 4. Business Lunch Factory cafe is just newly opened and is uber trendy and chilled with excellent coffee and even better cake. Rustled up by one of my favourite DJ’s, Padraic O’ Connor from the Disconauts, it is the sister club to Factory where Pandora’s box is held. I go here for business lunches, to discuss shoots and stock, or to chill with friends.
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Sinead Lally, owner of online vintage store Cotton Face Vintage 5. Night Out Going out is not high on my to do list these days, but when I do go out I love a good boat party which are few and far between here, but so worth the wait and the ride. Making an effort on these occasions is a must. Summer is also coming so outdoor concerts and festivals are already being put in my diary. Galway is buzzing at this time of year-the atmosphere is electric. 6. Dinner Date Eating out is huge for me. I like to try new places recommended by good reviews and to eat spontaneously. The Black Cat in Salthill is a tapas bar which is newly opened and very classy and trendy.
Shop Cotton Face Vintage on facebook www.facebook.com/cottonfacevintage Twitter www.twitter.com/CFVintageGalway Blog www.cotton-face-vintage.com Photographer: Julia from Wonderfulife Productions. Site: www.wonderfulifeproductions.com Facebook:www.facebook.com/wonderfulifeproductions Blog: www.myisees.blogspot.ie
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Blossom Girl Photographer: Paulina Milczarek SYONA Mua and stylist: Sandra Pawlowska-Nahlik Model: Mary-Kate Lanigan (1st Option Model Management)
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Beige dress: Kaira Van Zan
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Blouse: Atmosphere
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White blouse: Atmosphere
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Dress: ASOS, wreath: handmade
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We Heart Your Style “Create your own style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” Anna Wintour Photography, Shane O’Connor Words by Kim Cadogan
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We Heart Your Style Our favourite part of Tabitha magazine is delving into the style psych of the most fashionable people we know, this time around we’re bringing you two lovely ladies with a very different take on vintage enthusiasm, and we already know you’ll heart their style as much as we do! Sasha and Kim are living breathing fashionable proof that vintage doesn’t have to equal looking like you’ve raided your Granny’s wardrobe (even if you did!).
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Kim Kim is a model at Distinct Model Management, a teacher, vegan and the owner of one knock-out wardrobe, some girls can have it all! Kim was an obvious choice for our We Heart Your Style grilling as she is a great example of mixing high street basics with statement vintage clothes and jewellery to create an eclectic look that radiates cool. We especially love how she reworks clothes from her Grandmother’s wardrobe and looks this fashion forward, Granny chic to die for!
Sasha’s style has been personally endorsed by none other than Ryan Gosling, swoon! If you’re not already green with envy, there’s more, having worked in New York for 9 years with MTV, she is now in charge of social media for Carousel on Exchequer Street. With an entire wardrobe of vintage from stores like Beacon’s Closet in NY, Sasha manages to look so effortlessly stylish it hurts. Tabitha, 31
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Vintage Markets I think are my ultimate guilty pleasures Especially Paris
Who or what is your style icon? I don’t really have a style icon per say. I am blog obsessed and get great tips and tricks from them! Some of my favorites include Blue Is In Fashion This Year, Chicmuse, Columbine, Come Over To The Dark Side We Have Candy, The Haute Pursuit, Man Repeller, Vintage Virgin, Fashion Toast, Fashion Squad, Lust for Life..all to name but a few of which I am following! I admire the style of SJP, Miroslava Duma, Esther Quek, Denni Elias and Anne Catherine Frey. Again I don’t really have a style icon, I simply admire certain people, any person even on the street that has the courage and the inspiration to dress fabulously.
What is the biggest fashion crime you have committed? Oh God I shall list a look: blue and pink banded train track braces, black parachute pants, blue escape skater shoes, a baby blue fishnet top, arm socks cut from tights and a chain choker! It was beyond wrong! Oh and blue eyeshadow, blue mascara and blue eyeliner to match.
Can you describe your style? I don’t really have a style! I guess it’s vintage, quirky and artistic! My style reflects my mood on the day and how it fits the context which I will find myself in.
How important is fashion to your life? Fashion isn’t just something that is important to me...it’s who I am and how I feel. It is a reflection of myself.
Is there any particular trend or look that you wish would just disappear? I hate the combination of crop tops and tini tiny shorts that show half your backside! Please stay in the 90’s. No matter what body shape you are its just horrible!
If you could live in any era, for style, music, culture, what would that be? Definitely the 80’s. All my favorite clothing pieces and bands are from this era! I do love the pop culture that arose during the 60s though! People were fearless and excited about life and fashion and it set the bar for individuality.
How important is vintage to your wardrobe? Well let me just share that approximately 70% of my wardrobe is in fact vintage! So without vintage I would only have a little wardrobe.
Quickfire Round: Staying in or going out?
Going out to a bar where I can dance and have a cocktail.
Guilty pleasure song? Anything from Grease.
Shoes or Handbags? SHOES!
Best comfort food? I love salty popcorn.
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Sasha
Cyndi Lauper’s “Good Enough” from the Goonies has been played on my Itunes a grand total of 22 million times Who or what is your style icon?
How important is fashion to your life?
I’m just back from working for MTV in NYC for nine years and strangely I’d say street style has become my biggest style inspiration! I lived in Williamsburg in Brooklyn and just soaked in all the outrageous, individual and interesting style on the streets. I could watch people for hours and take mental notes on their fashion choices. I’m also a huge fan of Jane Birkin’s simple, sexy approach to fashion- navy pea coats, short black shift dresses and penny loafers-it’s just my ideal style. That said, I’ve always wanted to dress EXACTLY like Winona Ryder in Reality Bites. That short boyish messy hair and vintage knee length burgundy tea dress is my dream getup.
I’ve been interested in fashion for so long that it’s a huge part of how I present myself to the world. I truly enjoy getting up every morning and deciding what to wear. That said, I’ve never taken myself or fashion too seriously. I do it because I enjoy it. I like to follow new young artists as well. I’m really digging a young Dublin fashion designer-Aideen Gaynor- she’s one to watch for sure!
What is the biggest fashion crime you have committed? I’d very much like to forget my former clothes crimes but it might be my love of dungarees in the nineties. They’re pretty unsexy. And you know what? If they came back into fashion I think I’d be a repeat offender. Can you describe your style? I’m a big fan of men’s fashion and I love the challenge of integrating that into my wardrobe. I think an oversized men’s blazer and a floral dress can be simple, yet powerful and it brings out my confident side. Although I find certain trends exciting, for me it’s about expressing my personality, so I like hints of girly (floral vintage prints), simplicity (HUGE fan of a plain mens Oxford button down shirt) as well as fun and playful (short sixties lengths for skirts, lots and lots of eyeliner!)
Style wise, what item could you not live without (oh so dramatic!) Can I name a few? I positively cannot live without my worn in vintage Levi jeans. I got them in Brooklyn’s Beacon’s Closet years ago and they look incredible with everything. I’ve also got a soft leather shoulder bag that never leaves my side. The rest: 1970’s Scandinavian heeled dark brown leather boots, white t-shirts, a vintage cropped leather jacket...the list goes on. Is there any particular trend or look that you wish would just disappear? I do not understand the cut out trend. Everytime I pick up a nice top or dress in a high street shop these days it appears to not have a back. This is Ireland. We’re cold. Give us the whole garment, please.
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Buying vintage is a much more rewarding experience If you could live in any era, for style, music , culture, what would that be? My favourite eras of fashion, music and culture would be the sixties and the nineties. My night-time look is almost always sixties inspired (short, vintage shift dress, chunky heels, eyeliner, big hair) while my daytime style is really nineties inspired- jeans, Docs, over-sized jumpers and over - sized wool coats. How important is vintage to your wardrobe? HUGELY. I pretty much solely buy vintage. Buying vintage is a much more rewarding experience because it’s more of a challenge and you know what you are wearing is unique and one of a kind.
For people who don’t know how to shop vintage, can you give any tips? Always try it on! Whatever you’re looking at be sure to hop into the fitting room to see if the piece is right for you. Different eras means different body types and you have to be sure that you’re happy with how it looks on. Always check for stains and find places that you trust. I always find myself returning to my favourite vintage Tabitha, 40
shops in Dublin, London, New York and Paris. What’s the best vintage bargain you have ever come across? I have a couple. I got a vintage Christan Dior blazer that I adore for $7. I got a genuine 1980’s Karl Lagerfeld polka dot skirt for $20. I also got an APC pinafore on Ebay that I’ve worn to death as well as for just $25. The deals are there. It’s just about taking time to look through the rails to find the gems! Where are your favorite places to shop vintage? Long before I ever worked for Carousel I bought my dresses here! I would fly home for a few days and pick up the 3 for 2 deal and then get tons of compliments on them back in NYC! In NYC it’s Beacon’s Closet and Fox and Fawn. In London I get lost in Brick Lane’s vintage row and for Paris it’s shopping in Le Marais.
Quickfire Round! Staying in or going out? Going out! Guilty pleasure song? Cyndi Lauper’s “Good Enough” from the Goonies has been played on my iTunes a grand total of 22 million times, I think. Worst D.V.D in your collection? I’m a romantic comedy enthusiast. I watch them all. So this question doesn’t apply to me! Shoes or Handbags? Shoes! Best comfort food? Nachos. Movie nachos specifically. Electric, plastic cheese!
“My favourite eras of fashion, music and culture would be the sixties and the nineties.
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Oriental Tea Party Photographer - Caoimhe Hahn Stylist - MairĂŠad Vickers Makeup - Lisa Redmond Hair - Sharon Ennis Model- Lauryn Greer @Morgan the Agency
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Above Look 2
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Clothing Index
look 1 / 6 CLOTHING: Vintage original embroidered kimono Linen and Ware …Vintage Too €295 Tassel hem top Rock & Religion @ TKMaxx €16.99 Black harem pants Vero Moda €24.99 ACCESSORIES: Black waist -cincher belt Penneys €4 Vintage 60’s clip-on drop earrings €35 Vintage rhinestone peacock brooch €85 Vintage 60’s cat brooch with moveable tail €48 Vintage enamelled elephant brooch €75 All Linen and Ware …Vintage Too Shop ph: 01 285 7407 Website: www. linenandwarevintagetoo.net FOOTWEAR: Black velvet sandals Office €49.99 PROPS: Vintage Chinese parasol Church Lane Collectables (Ebay.ie) €17.98
look 2 CLOTHING: Kimono style dressing gown Penneys €21 ACCESSORIES: Silver neckpiece Penneys €5 Silver neck cuff Penneys €3 Navy jewelled sash belt Fran & Jane €35 Props: Large wall fan Stylist’s Own
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CLOTHING: Frill collar dress Katie Earley €190 katieearley@hotmail.com Turquoise kimono jacket Stylist’s Own
CLOTHING: Pink peplum jacket Love Label @ Topshop €35 Cream organza top Katie Earley €80 katieearley@hotmail.com Gold pants H&M €24.99
ACCESSORIES: Chunky pendant created with vintage jewellery €50 Linen and Ware …Vintage Too Shop ph: 01 285 7407 Website: www.linenandwarevintagetoo.net
ACCESSORIES: Gold neckpiece Penneys €5 Gold Swarovski neckpiece Susan Black Price on request www.susanblackfashion.com FOOTWEAR: Nude sandals Asos €55 PROPS: Chopsticks Stylist’s Own
look 7 look 4 CLOTHING: Organza layered dress Katie Earley €250 katieearley@hotmail.com Kimono jacket Monsoon €79 ACCESSORIES: Gold cuff Penneys €5 Black cuff Penneys €5 Embroidered ball necklace Stylist’s Own Vintage 80’s chunky clip-on gold earrings €35 Vintage 60’s Gold & black bracelet €45 Both Linen and Ware …Vintage Too Shop ph:01 285 7407 www. linenandwarevintagetoo.net PROPS: Vintage Chinese fan Stylist’s Own
CLOTHING: Green wool coat with grey fur felt moulded pockets Katie Earley €330 katieearley@hotmail.com Gold & green top Penneys €8 Kimono wrap navy pants Topshop €38 ACCESSORIES: Navy spike choker Stylist’s Own Green cluster choker H&M €12.99 Tribal neckpiece Susan Black Price on request www. susanblackfashion.com FOOTWEAR: Taupe suede boots Asos €98 PROPS: Vintage 60’s original Avon Compact €35 Linen and Ware… Vintage Too Shop ph: 01 285 7407 Website: www. linenandwarevintagetoo.net
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Words By Roisin Kiberd
Shopping as a solitary pursuit. Shopping as a death sport.
When charity shopping I go into stealth mode; I go in steely-eyed with elbows sharpened, or better yet, equipped with a large Margaret Thatcher-style handbag with which to knock opponents out of my way. I prefer charity shopping alone. Most of my friends are the same size as me, and I can’t risk them taking the grand prize. Shopping as a solitary pursuit. Shopping as a death sport. Tabitha, 54
The other advantage of charity shopping alone is that you can eavesdrop. Every shop has a personality, corresponding to area and history and donations and customers. I could map Dublin by charity shops, build a wardrobe made of other people’s memories. Then I would dry clean them and patch them and add to them with my own. These are just a few from the rails.
‘You’re a divil for punishment, Irene...’ Enable Ireland, George’s Street ‘Is that Chanel?’ Mrs Greens for Cheeverstown, Ranelagh
Everyone has one. The first, the greatest ever. The old and moldy contents of my local charity shop now grow older and moldier in memory, but back when I was too old to want the Mary-Kate and Ashley dolls, but young enough to want to dress like them, this place was my absolute favorite. Back when Ranelagh had charity shops and not just coffee shops along the main street. It was Mrs Greens which made me view charity shops as something more than dens full of framed Sacred Hearts and crispy old unwanted paperbacks. I read about Chloe Sevigny and her chic cropped hair and her 80s pirate boots, and realized that ‘vintage’ was something to aspire to. That was just as Mrs Green’s shop peaked. I would drop by after school, wearing my uniform, to rifle through the rails. And then it closed, hosting a week-long closing sale to end all others. I remember I emerged with a four euro flapper dress which I later wore to my debs. And in a basket stashed under the rails I found a square of silk with double Cs woven into a floral border. Two euro. Chanel. I think I peaked early, as I’ve never matched that since. The next day Mrs Green’s was gone, replaced by a launderette internet cafe.
I curse the day that charity shops discovered window sales. Irene is dragging a half-clad female mannequin from the window display, walled off by blinds and a scribbled ‘Do not touch sign’. Bags, of dubious ‘designer’ origins, are laid out on the counter. A week earlier they were in the window. I went up to inquire about the LV bucket tote (gloriously Eurotrashy and little too shiny to be real) and the reply was a boast. ‘Oh they’re not on sale for another week, we have the window sale and people turn up at seven in the morning and queue down the street.’ I didn’t ask about that. She continues, ‘and you’re not allowed to buy it until then. First come first serve.’ She folds her arms, proprietorial though I have no intention of queuing for a bag with peeling PVC handles. What is it with central charity shops? Camden Street and Aungier St still turn up the odd bargain, but move further North and the prices will skyrocket. Somebody told Oxfam and Enable about ‘vintage’, and ruined it for the rest of us. This particular lady is enjoying it. I wonder if she’s the one who does the pricing, who labels year-old Topshop with €10 tags, and demands up to €50 for ratty old satchels from the 70s. The window sale is the culmination of their pomp. Does anybody actually queue for this? I imagine her opening the doors to a frostbitten line of vintage-crazed art students. It’s depressing to think about. I feel guilty just saying it, but Oxfam, what happened to you? You used to be cool. And yet we keep coming back and paying the prices. Like Irene, we are divil’s for the punishment.
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‘Yer wan Carol.. she’s never feeling well. I haven’t seen her around here since the Christmas.’ Gorta, Capel Street’
‘Me head is bursting…’ It’s a lady, the kind of standard secondhand shop lady who likes to voice her health complaints and ends sentences compulsively with the phrase ‘Do ye know what I mean?’. I wonder where she went last night, or whether she’s just fed up with the tinny sound of the Joe Duffy Show. She’s accompanied by a gawky boy in his teens who is probably on work experience. I do Capel Street on a weekday, and the charity shops are unusually empty. Though they’re by no means a well-kept secret, these shops are that little bit more out-of-the-way than Camden St. Here the clothes hang undisturbed, the odd silk shirt among the month-old Penney’s dresses, already outdated, body con tubes which have lost their cling. Wristbands for abandoned causes sit in a basket by the door, next to rolled-up posters of Jedward which will one day (I hope) be Ebay gold. It’s these unassuming places which turn up the most unlikely finds. A black DKNY handbag I use every second day, nestled among the chainstore pleather totes. The label reads €2. A silk Cos dress for €4. Vintage Levis just ill-fitting enough to be 90s enough to be sold in Urban Outfitters. I pray to secondhand karma that Carol never comes back and ups the prices.
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‘Lookit, come here till I tell you’, The Goodwill Thrift Shop
This is the strangest of Dublin charity shops. Sitting between the sex shops and Creatine vendors on Capel St (I’m back again, this time on a Sunday), it’s a narrow little shop which becomes progressively messier as you reach the back wall. The interior is akin to that of another charity shop where I once lived in England, a place called ‘Save the Cats’. The clothes are creased and bundled into trenches or thrown over rails. Beat up shoes are tossed into boxes, daring you to sort them. There is always someone complaining about something behind the counter. Come here, till she tells you (about her hernia). What makes it even stranger is the mix of new items near the front. A ‘designer rail’ with Zara and Mango workwear at €15 a pop - this is another charity shop with no concept of pricing and a wall of paste ‘Dior’ and ‘Gucci’ jewelry, silver and chains and cubic zirconia, displayed on the wall beside the counter. I suspect one of the Moore Street Mall counterfeit boutiques has shut and bequeathed them its blinged-out contents. There are lighters and belt buckles with ‘D&G’ and weed leaves embossed on them, and thin pleather wallets stamped with double-G insignia. An aspiring rapper would do well here. Less Macklemore, more bargain basement Gucci Mane.
‘Women’s jumpers, men’s jumpers, all two euro.’ National Council for the Blind, Dun Laoghaire
We are the only ones in the shop, myself and my mother. We do this a lot, go out to Dun Laoghaire and get coffee and visit charity shops. There’s a man at the counter saying it over and over in a singsong voice. ‘Men’s jumpers, women’s jumpers, all two euro today.’ A sign would have sufficed, or he could have told us once and left it. Instead, over Roy Orbison’s Greatest Hits which murmur from the stereo in the corner, he is chanting to the ether. ‘Two euro, two euro, two euro’. He’s got that creepy look in his eye that comes from folding clothes all day and listening to Roy Orbison. There is a certain seaside gothic air to Dun Laoghaire on winter days like this. And the charity shops there, forming a strip along George’s Street Lower up to the main part of the town, reflect this. They are full of old and static things, stiff matronly jackets, shoulder pads and blouses without irony. They are the clothes of women who wore a blue rinse. They are the clothes of the dead. Sometimes you find whole book collections that belonged to someone. Comic books, political texts, or binders full of course notes on Buddhism and macrobiotic cooking. I’ve found moth eaten cashmere and old leather bags with the smell of history in their lining. On sunny days Dun Laoghaire is quaint and full of seagulls. But in winter it feels like a ghost town.
‘Shine bright like a diamond. Shine bright like a diamond.’ Cancer Research, Rathmines
In Rathmines a lady sits behind a glass counter. Under the glass are vintage watches, Claddagh rings and Communion bangles. Behind the counter is a cornucopia of broken boardgames and plastic bags. She is singing along to Rihanna. This is by far my favorite charity shop in Dublin. Maybe in Ireland. Or the world. Ever. Much of this is because of the singing lady behind the counter, who warbles, undaunted, through country classics and Bad Romance and power ballads from an era when she was much younger. She doesn’t balk at Mariah’s high notes, or Rihanna’s lyrics about S&M. Nor does she ever notice the odd looks from people who pass through the shop. ‘You and I, you and I, we’re like diamonds in the sky…’ I have found some treasures here. This shop is the most consistently well-stocked; old stock from Urban Outfitters surfaces regularly, alongside teenybopper branded cast-offs and a steady supply of M&S cashmere sweaters. I found a wonderful old wool and velvet coat in bottle green here. It had a school child’s name scrawled in biro on the inside label, but the shoulders were just wide enough. The lady at the counter sang Springsteen as I handed her the five euro note.
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Edge of Seventeen Photos Erica Coburn, Styling Carmel Ann Daly Model Louise @ Assets, MUA Organics Sarah Jane
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Previous Page Hat, // Top // Trousers, // The Harlequin Cream bow // Lucy’s Lounge. Glasses // River Island
Hat // Top Oxfam Vintage
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Dress // The Harlequin. Hat // jewellery // stylists own
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Blouse and trousers // The Harlequin Waistcoat // Oxfam vintage. Bag // River Island
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I’m your Vinyl Words and Interview Sarah O’Neill twitter: @FolieadeuxS MUA Anna Donegan, annadoneganmua@gmail.com Photos Shane O’Connor Shot @ The Work horse Studio.
Your bio says, rather teasingly, that a ‘twist of fate’ brought you together, what exactly happened? Dana - We share some of the same friends, introduced through them, we clicked and began working together shortly after.
We share some of the same friends, introduced through them, we clicked With a name that brings to mind sweet romanticism with a nostalgic twinge, I’m Your Vinyl are a Dublin two piece who’s music lives up to the preconceptions. Whimsical, unashamedly poppy and undeniably feelgood, this pair, who have only been together for just over a year, have worked hard to carve themselves a groove in the Irish scene, whilst always keeping an eye towards the rest of the world. We caught up with them to chat all things music, amazing music videos and party pieces, and they were every bit as endearing as their tunes. Tabitha, 66
Musically, you both had very different aesthetics when you met, why did they change so radically? What was the catalyst? Dana - Ken was at the time looking for a new lead woman for his band Autamata. He had written some instrumentals, which I wrote some songs over, then we began writing together and we brought some of our older songs into the mix. We were buzzing and something unexpected happened, they grew arms and legs and so I’m Your Vinyl was born. Ken - I had released a few albums previously as Autamata where various singer/songwriters (Carol Keogh, Cathy Davey, Sarah Verdon) all guested in the studio and at the live shows. I was interested in writing a set of songs with just one singer/songwriter. After I fell for Dana’s voice and songwriting ability we started to collaborate. We hit it off and formed I’m Your Vinyl. “This is Your Life” was the first song we were happy with. Before I met Dana I had released an album of instrumental music called “We Saw Heaven”. After this I was interested in songwriting again.
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Strong melody, beefy beats set against a colourful backdrop is one way to describe our sound
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Tell me a bit about the musical aesthetic of I’m Your Vinyl? K - We like making upbeat positive songs about our life experiences. Melodic riffs, interesting beats and cinematic overtones are usually our favoured musical colours.The song is always king though! We have dabbled in the dark side of things but realized it’s not our bag. D - Strong melody, beefy beats set against a colourful backdrop is one way to describe our sound. The power of positive thinking, hope and growth are prominent subject matters in our songs too.
You are releasing your debut album in three parts PART ONE, PART TWO & PART THREE - why? D - We released it in parts to showcase our development. Also by putting out the different parts allowed us to make the videos we’ve made, it’s all part of the bigger picture which is beginning to form with the upcoming release of the album. K - We started that process about a year ago with a bunch of songs written but at that point we didn’t yet have a final album. We wanted to put some music out there while playing lots of gigs and getting feedback to the songs as we developed our sound. We continued to write during these releases and have just completed the recording and production of twenty-five songs. The plan is to pick the favourites of these overall twenty-five songs for the final twelve track cohesive album.
How did you go about getting an agent, PR and Publishing so quickly? K - We hooked up with some people we knew who were fans of what we were doing as it progressed so its all just happened naturally really. D - Nothing ever happens as quickly as it might seem, it was a lot of persistence and hard work.
Your videos are amazing, set anywhere from New York to Tokyo to the local Phoenix park - how do you go about visualizing and creating them? Who do you work with? Also, how do you fund them? D - Thank you, we really enjoy the process. Making these videos allows us to indulge in an almost childlike nostalgia ie: bubbles, dress-up, and snorkelers. We have managed to work on very little budget by planning everything out. I have family in Tokyo and New York who looked after us too, which really helped. And we both live close to the park so thats easy enough for us! We do everything ourselves too, for our most recent video “For You” I made the backdrops for the set. I also managed to do most of the props on a budget of €100, then Ken cut it and graded it. Ken actually shot our NYC video, which we’ll put out soon. Wayne Farrell is amazing too, he shoots most of our videos. In Japan we met up with Tom Flint who is a local direc Tabitha, 67
Nothing ever happens as quickly as it might seem,
tor, he was great and took us to some really interesting places including the casinos, abandoned buildings and back alleys down by the railway tracks. We got lost in Tokyo for the day, it was amazing. I’ll never forget the day we spent filming ‘Onto The Ashes’ though, Wayne with his camera hanging out the back of Kens car, boot open...bubble machines in full swing beside him, I’m skating behind him and we’re being chased by the park ranger, it’s a sight I’ll never forget...ah ha ha thats it now...its set me off again! K - We mainly make most of the videos ourselves for little or no budget. Discussing and working up the concept first, making or sourcing the props and costumes, spending a day for the shoot and then a few days editing and grading. A friend of mine, Wayne is in a band called the Ikonics. I mix his tunes and in return he uses his nice camera to shoot for us on the day. Separately he made the “Let Me love You” video himself with a couple of his buddies. We shot the “Morning Comes Alive” video using my Iphone. I learned how to edit and grade using Final Cut Pro so this keeps the costs down. Making the videos is a lot of fun and a welcome outlet of creativity. Climbing the Brooklyn Bridge at dawn, with Dana performing dressed as a blackbird while I was on camera duties, for the ‘Bang” video was a particular highlight. This track is not yet released.
Do you think being a duo is harder or easier than being in a band? Why? K- It’s easier. Less people and time taken to make decisions in all areas.
Future plans? K- Reach a worldwide audience with our music while continuing to do what we do on our own terms and having fun along the way. D - Reach a worldwide audience and enjoy doing it is our ultimate goal, also, I saw this amazing clip the other day on Youtube about this Ghost Town in Bodie, CA on the Nevada border, it has been frozen in time since the 40’s, apparently the shelves are still stocked in some of the stores and tourists believe its bad luck to touch anything so everything is exactly the way it was left. I’d love spend some time there exploring, perhaps it could be the next location for a video!
Quick Fire Questions
( Answer for yourself and about each other - no conferring!!! ) Favorite Food? D - Olives K - Petit Pois Anything you / they ‘always’ say? K - Better to be looking at it than looking for it. D - It’ll be the finest. If you weren’t doing music, what would you ‘be’? K - Chef D - FBI agent Favorite band/artist? K - The Beach Boys D - Eartha Kitt
In your videos, masks are a recurring theme - is there any significance to this? D - I began playing live aged 16, I was nervous and shy as a performer, when I’m Your Vinyl formed, I allowed myself to hide behind the mask as a kind of self trickery way of easing myself into my new skin. Organically over time, I have worn it around my neck rather than peaking out through it. I still like to have it present. My goal as a performer is to be completely brave and uninhibited. The mask represents my former shyness and the evolving confidence which I’m Your Vinyl has managed to dig out of me. Tabitha, 68
Favorite video (of your own)? K - On To The Ashes D - The one we’re gonna make in the Ghost town, Nevada! Any party pieces or special talents? K - I am pretty good at keeping the peace when the party gets out of control. D - My mam recently taught me how to play the spoons, no joke, theres a real knack to it! A hilarious night...and the neighbours love us of course!
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The New Vintage
Looking at the S/S runway for a fresh take on vintage items Model: Petra Bartha MUA: Mao Kamiji Photos: Shane O’Connor Styling: Una O’Boyle / Louise Ryan Styling Assistant: Kim Cadogan
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Head to Toe Mint: As seen at Mulberry. Top //Skirt // Tabitha Vintage. Shoes// Socks // Penneys Scarves as belts and headbands.. As seen at Marc by Marc Jacobs Dress// Scarf ( worn as belt) // Carousel Head Scarves// Golly Gosh Vintage Blouse // Fanci Schmancy Vintage Shoes // Socks // Penneys
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Peach and Metallics As seen at Valentino Jumpsuit // Fanci Schmancy Vintage Bag // Thrifted Shoes // Penneys. All White As seen at Chloe Dress // Dolly Frocks Jacket // Golly Gosh Vintage Shoes // Penneys.
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Tangerine with boyish tailoring As seen at Stella McCartney Jacket // Blouse // Dolly Frocks Shoes // Penneys Pastel lace and floral As seen at Erdem. Dress// Carousel Lace Top // Fanci Schmancy Vintage Sequin Top// Golly Gosh Vintage Shoes // Socks // Penneys
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carpe diem Styling: Carla Pedersen, Model: Maria Davis. All clothes are vintage Shot in Vancouver Photographer: Becky Philpott www.beckyphilpott.com, www.beckyphilpott.blogspot.com
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Tarsila Krüse The style diet Illustrator from Brazil, making a splash in Dublin Can you give us some information about yourself?
then as freelance illustrator.
My name is Tarsila Krüse and I’m a freelance illustrator happily working in the beautiful city of Dublin. I love drawing characters, walking my little dog Pixel and having a nice cuppa.
Did you always imagine yourself working in the art world? Has art played a big part in your life?
Where are you from? Where have you studied, and how long have you been in Dublin? I’m originally from São Paulo, Brazil where I lived most of my life amidst the jungle and wild animals! Just kidding! I come from a huge city and always knew I’d live abroad. I studied senior year high school in New Hampshire, and from then on I was sure I belonged elsewhere. Upon my return to Brazil I graduated in Digital Communication and later obtained a B.A. In English, Portuguese, and Literature. Soon after I graduated, my dear hubby Eric and myself packed our bags to Ireland on a journey that was only supposed to last for 6 months…look at us, we’ve been living in Dublin for 6 years now! For all the time we’ve been here Ireland has been a most welcoming country to both of us and since we’ve arrived I’ve been working with visual communication, first designing Irish souvenirs (Funny right? Some of my designs are still being sold at Carroll’s Gift Shop) and Tabitha, 82
When I was little I used to say that I when I grew up I would want to either be an artist or a dentist (I think it’s because the words artist and dentist sound quite alike), but overall the art world has always had a great influence in my life. Firstly, I was named after one of the most important Brazilian painters, Tarsila do Amaral, so it is only reasonable to think I would venture into these waters. Also both my parent’s professions relate to what I do now-my mother is an artist and my father works in advertising, and both their views on life have definitely sunk in. I was also very lucky to have a very special (and flamboyant) uncle who was an art critic and photographer, and that granted me the chance to attend many exhibitions and cultural events growing up. As one would expect I started drawing before I could probably make sense of what I was doing and spent all of my school (and graduate) years drawing in class (also got told off about it way too many times), but it was only after I came to Ireland I realised what I really wanted to do. I have a love for languages and thought I would follow an academic route and become a scholar. Since we decided to stay in Ireland I didn’t feel it was the right path for me and branched out into what I
The Blind Elephant Collective is a creative collective with artists from different backgrounds loved doing. I’ve never been happier! How do you find the art scene in Dublin? Since I started working with visual arts I’ve seen Dublin opening up even more to different forms of art. If we consider the growth of the illustration scene and other creative events, such as The Offset, in the past years, it is quite clear that Ireland holds a very dear respect for artists in general. It is, in fact, a country with its roots in arts, especially literature and music, though I feel fashion, illustration and more contemporary forms of visual communication are getting more attention and, lucky for us, people are opening their arms to it. You are a member of the Blind Elephant Collective; can you tell us a bit about that? The Blind Elephant Collective is a creative collective with artists from different backgrounds who came together to create illustration pieces on a regular basis. It is a way to keep working, developing skills and sharing knowledge. It has been an honour to be a member of such a great group. We have been together since 2010 creating, working on our styles and getting our images out there.
From a personal perspective, being able to share and create with other talented artists has pushed me to create better work and improve as an artist. As a group, we’ve been very fruitful and we have already held exhibitions at the Culturlánn Gallery in Belfast and in Farmleigh in Dublin, with a couple more to come this year. Where do you get your inspiration from? Are your characters based on real people? Life inspires me. I’m one of those happy morning people who find inspiration in everyday things, especially relationships. I truly enjoy the way people feel towards one another and I try to convey that in most of my work. Mainly I aim to make people smile and warm their hearts, but anything can spark an idea like things I see while I go for walks, while I listen to music, etc. I do love drawing characters and though most of them would not be based on real people a lot of my male characters were very much inspired by my husband (who is my favourite male subject to draw) and some by myself, but the vast majority of them are purely imaginary.
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“I think that every artist has a medium that he/she feels most comfortable with and for me it is the digital environment.” We see that you have worked in large scale and on different surfaces such as walls, is there any one medium you prefer, or do you enjoy the freedom to change it up?
Cabra Park Wall in collaboration with fellow illustrator Nicola Colton.
I think that every artist has a medium that he/she feels most comfortable with and for me it is the digital environment. I’m a bit of a geek and love all things digital so I feel very much at home working with a computer and tablet. I’m addicted to Adobe illustrator and now I’ve been venturing more into Adobe Photoshop for drawing.
Everyone is very welcome to check out my work through my website www.tarsilakruse.com.br but you can also find me through Facebook http:// www.facebook.com/tarsilakruseillustration and Twitter https://twitter.com/ tarsilakruse.
I always find that different mediums are a great way to improve and experiment because they represent both a challenge and an opportunity. I very much enjoy working with acrylics, as I have done with the Viking I painted just outside Christ Church in Dublin, and also trying new things such as painting the large scale
I had the great honor of working with the lovely Irish YouTube personality Anna Saccone creating all the illustrations for her book The Style Diet, a book full of practical tips and tricks on styling, confidence and healthy body image. www.thestylediet.com
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Where can people check out your work?
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One man’s trash is another man’s treasure Let’s try that again
One person’s old wardrobe is another person’s vintage one?
There is never a better time than now to clear out your old unwanted goods Whatever variation you choose, the sentiment is still the same. For many women and men, overflowing wardrobes chock-a-block with years worth of shopping are causing problems. Whether it’s messing with the Zen in your home, or doing unspeakable damage to your bank balance, there is never a better time than now to clear out your old unwanted goods. For many people, simply getting rid of your old items seems like a cruel idea. You have spent good time and money finding that piece, it would hurt you to think that it’s not being treated with the same care that you gave it. For this reason, many people are turning to car boot sales and flea markets to part with their old belongings. But what if there was an alternative to these, closer to home? Tabitha, 86
Zoe Carney and Jade Travers, both credit their stylish Grandmothers as the reason behind their love of clothing, and both blame their time spent working in the fashion industry for their clothes hoarding tendencies. (Or “curating a vast collection” as Zoe put it!) Zoe, whose career has ranged from running her own label to freelance personal shopping, and Jade, a filmmaker, who is soon to mix her love of fashion with her filmmaking, are flatmates who decided to turn their living room into their very own vintage boutique for an evening. We, along with many eager shoppers on the hunt for a great bargain attended the evening and were really impressed with what we found.
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Asked if the night was worth all the work, the ladies tell us, “It was a complete success” With a table full of accessories, a hat stand overflowing with beautiful bags, four rails of amazing clothing, and enough baked goods to feed an army, we couldn’t believe we were in someone’s front room. When asked how they went about organizing the event. Zoe says “We firstly set up a facebook page with all the usual details and information as if we were throwing a party. We kept the page active right up until the date of our sale with posts and sneak peek photos of the starring garments. We sifted, gathered and shed a little tear for the items that were decided upon. We then washed steamed and prepped every item. We borrowed big industrial rails and hung and merchandised everything.” When asked if it was hard to part with any items in particular, she continues “No. If I felt really sad I wouldn’t
part with a garment, and believe me I am so attached to some pieces they’ll be with me for life! In fact, I’d say it’s good for the soul to let go and clear out ones wardrobe, let someone else enjoy it as much as you have. Then you can clutter it back up with new things!” Asked if the night was worth all the work, the ladies tell us, “It was a complete success. Yes we made some money and shifted some stock but to be honest the real success was in the atmosphere and the gorgeous friends, and friends of friends who came and sipped on tea and nibbled some cake while finding a little treasure to bring home.” After attending this evening, many of the ladies present (us included!) have vowed to host one of their own. A great idea to make some money, clear the clutter and spend some time with friends!
Tips for hosting your own event 1 Keep your costs as low as possible i.e.
food, rails etc
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Invite as many as possible because only half will come.
3
Create a warm inviting space to sell your wares.
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Tea and cakes are always appreciated!
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