The Look Issue Two by The Look

CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS With all of the style and trendiness of Fashion Week it made us think of when we were younger and playing dress up. We like to believe we were always on trend but looking back on it we most certainly were not. We were reminiscing on the outfits we wore to our first disco and if you ever thought what you wore was bad, Aoife’s was worse. For her first disco she wore pink skinny jeans, a t-shirt paired with a large novelty tie that said ‘Confused’ and a pair of pink sunglasses… it was November.

3TREND REPORT:

With the summer fast approaching, we picked some of our favourite outfits for both men & women.

THE RISE OF HOLLY CARPENTER: We spoke to one of the stars of Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model about her flourishing career, and some of her fashion favourites.

All of our reminiscing on old outfits combined with the recycling of past generation trends gave us the inspiration for our 1970s photoshoot. These throwback styles can be seen all over the runways and high streets this season, and are perfect for any occasion this Summer. We have included everything that this iconic fashion era entailed, from flares to doubledenim.

7TEN YEARS OF STYLE:

A look at this year’s Fashion Show and the people that made it happen.

13PROJECT YOUNG DESIGNER:

Lots of fashion and articles will hopefully keep you entertained and give you a little break from all of your exam studies! We really hope you enjoy this issue and have a wonderful summer break. We also would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped to make this issue a possibility, especially all of our models, stylists, writers and the layout editor. We loved the experience of putting the magazine together and wish next year’s editors the best of luck!

Our annual search for the best student designer in Ireland.

15THE NINETEEN SEVENTIES:

This semester’s main photo shoot, with a vintage twist.

Amy & Aoife x

MY TOP 3 BEAUTY GURUS: Niamh

tells us all about her favourite YouTube beauty gurus and what makes them great.

HOUSE OF AKI-NA: An interview with the founders of this great social project that focuses on looking good and helping others in need.

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR DRESS: Some tips on where to find the

perfect dress for any upcoming black tie event.

7 1

THE BEAUTY BIT: A refresher course for the classic make-up look.

15 This season’s international catwalks showed us a plethora of new trends, with a focus on colours, fit and a resurgence of some classic styles. The prominence of pastels in London have shown us that fashion really does run in cycles. However, with a palette of striking oranges one of the most memorable features of New York Fashion Week, it’s obvious that the contemporary fashion houses are still shaping style with new ideas. The unmistakably Parisian culottes have made a return this season, coming from the French definition of a garment that hangs like a skirt but splits like a trouser. In men’s fashion, we saw hints of tailored and structural fits making an exit in A/W ‘14, but it’s clear that they have gone out of style in favour of a softer more casual look. The skinny male model has had a long and memorable run, but with designers beginning to favour bigger and broader models, expect to see a more classic slant on the runways this season.

Hers: Patterned Culottes, €50. Black Cut-out Top, €25, by River Island. Black Leather Jacket, €24. Black Court Heels, €5, by Penneys. His: Black & White Raglan Shirt, €30. Orange Tube Socks, €8, by American Apparel. Black Skinny Jeans, €24.99. Orange Beanie, €12.99, by H&M. Black Harrington Jacket, €30, by Tola Vintage. Black Plimsole Shoes, €8, by Penneys.

His: Denim Jeans, €40, by River Island. Floral Pattern Shirt, €25. Map Faced Watch, €10, by Tola Vintage.. White Logo Tshirt, €30, by Levis. Black Leather Belt, €26, by Zara. Yellow Tube Socks, €8, by American Apparel. Black Trainers, €12, by Penneys. Hers: Grey Fleck Blazer, €12. Tan Faux Leather Handbag, €10. Metallic Slipon Shoes, €8, all by Penneys. White Sleeveless Blouse, €18, by Topshop. Mint Tapered Trousers, €45, by River Island.

RISE Holly Carpenter of

The

by Deirdre Madden

Holly first gained recognition when she was crowned Miss Ireland in 2011. She went on to further her career in the Irish fashion industry as a model, and also establish herself as a fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger.m She was also a contestant in Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model in 2013, finishing in seventh place. Her career has gone from strength to strength working with Assets Modelling Agency, while also running her popular blog hollycarpenterblog.com. The 5”8 beauty prides herself on a positive and healthy body image. At the age of 23, Carpenter has already achieved so much in her career. All the while expressing a strong interest in pursuing acting, making us mere mortals scream with envy! I had the pleasure of speaking to Holly, letting us in on her fashion secrets, and sharing some advice that her mother gave her. Who is your fashion inspiration and why? “I would have to say my fashion inspiration is Kate Moss. I think she is someone I dress quite similar to. I just love that grunge strippedback look that she goes for. Not having to dress girly all the time would definitely be more me.” What are your top 3 high-street shops? “My first has to be Zara, then River Island (I think they always have great little pieces) and lastly H&M, but I love all high-street clothing so it’s a tough choice.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received throughout your career? “The best piece of advice has come from my mum, to not care about what people think. Seeing as I’m in an industry faced by a lot of criticism it can be hard at times, so just to believe in yourself and stay grounded”. Finally, what advice would you give our DCU students that are interested in a career in the fashion industry? “I think networking is so important; it’s all about who you know. Seeing as Dublin is so small, it’s important to start building contacts as you’ll meet new people constantly. Even something simple like tweeting people you like about their looks to try and get your name out there. It can be a lot of work but ultimately it will pay off.”

“The best advice

has come from my mum, to not care about what people think”

What is your go-to item in your wardrobe? “At the moment it definitely has to be Freddy Jeans! I just think they’re so flattering on any shape and even look great with a pair of heels for a dressier look.” Name one beauty product you couldn’t live without. “Fake-up under eye concealer by Benefit. If I was only to wear one product it would have to be this. It just gives such a fresh, awake look. I’ve gone through tonnes of them at this stage!”

Photographers Dan O’Farrell James Mac Inerney Kev Kremers

Celebrating

10 Years

of Style. The fashion show took place in The Helix’s Mahony Hall on the 25th of February. The theme of this years show was a birthday, to celebrate 10 Years of the DCU Style society. The show promised to be the society’s biggest production yet and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It was proudly sponsored by Bank of Ireland and was held in conjunction with BodyWhys, Ireland’s Eating Disorder Association. A lot of hardwork and dedication went into each aspect of the fashion show; from the way the models walked, to assembling of every single outfit seen by the audience. We spoke with some of the main contibutors of the final production, and heard about what their jobs entailed, and how they thought the show went!

Aoife Rice Murphy – Head Stylist Working on the Fashion Show has been an experience I will never forget. I am undeniably a sucker for punishment, as after being Head Stylist for the fashion show in 2014, I applied for the role again this year. I worked with Aoife Ní Mhurchú as co- Head Stylists and a small team of very talented girls (Hannah Farrelly, Léa Julienne, Rheanna Waters, Elaine Proctor-Fitzsimons and Leah Headon) to curate the clothing for this year’s show. We met with the show’s producers several times in the early stages to develop the aesthetic for the clothing. We wanted the styling to continually build towards the party finale, opening with very minimalistic structured looks, incorporating more colour, pattern and texture as the show progressed. All of the stores we worked with were very trusting with every single one of the precious pieces we pulled. Aoife and I were so honoured to have this unbelievable opportunity. The DCU Fashion Show is a uniquely huge production, if we go on to work in the fashion industry for the next 50 years, we may never get to work on a show as big as this one. 25 models, 14 walks, 26 shops, an unimaginable amount of coffee and an unforgettable night.

Emma Prenty – Model of The Year I heard about the DCU Fashion Show through my sister and her friends. They were planning on auditioning and asked me to come along. I had always loved the idea of modelling, but never had the confidence. So I decided why not and went for it. I was delighted to find out that I had been chosen to be in the show! We rehearsed twice a week for 2 hours throughout January and February. People think it’s as simple as walking down the runway, but there is so much to it, something we only realised during rehearsals. My favourite part of it all, was getting to know such a lovely bunch of people! The show itself was surreal. The clothes were fabulous,I couldn’t help but love everything I wore. The same can be said for getting my hair and makeup done! Backstage had such a great atmosphere, there was a mixture of nerves and excitement, I loved it. For my first walk I was so nervous, but after that I really started to embrace the experience. Overall the show was just amazing! When they called out my name for model of the year I couldn’t believe it. It only dawned on me when my sister pushed me out on the stage, I couldn’t stop smiling. First Options have given me a one year contract with their company and I’m delighted. The fashion show was such a fabulous experience and I would recommend for anyone who is interested to give it a go and get involved in DCU Style. Needless to say I’m already excited for next years show!

Megan Byrne & Flora Dalton Choreographers

and everyone one of them were such a pleasure to work with.

Emma Kearney & Gary Grimes Producers

This years fashion show was without a doubt one of the most amazing and enjoyable experiences of our lives to date. When we were approached by Emma and asked to take on the roles of choreographers we were immediately interested and intrigued. We would soon find out our jobs as choreographers were not going to be as easy or as straight forward as it sounded . We chose to give an extra hand in various areas of the show in order to ensure that our dream show would be the ultimate success.

I don’t think either of us could deny the proud feeling we got once we set foot in the Helix and started to see our creation come together as we watched the models walk the catwalk for the first time with the graphics we had envisioned and the music we had chosen playing on the incredible sound system.

It is safe to say that producing this year’s show has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences to date. Managing a project of this magnitude on top of other commitments was something that daunted me but I am glad that I took on the challenge and I can look back on it now as a huge achievement. I was coming at the show from a stylist’s point of view having styled the show in 2012 and 2013 so I wanted to make the stylists’ job less stressful and much more recognised. However as I went through the process of coordinating all of the other aspects of the show involving a massive team of up to 80 volunteers and the tech team among others, it became clear why making the job easier for a particular group of people can be difficult.

We rehearsed with all 25 models 3 days a week in the two month run up to the show. Here the models had a chance to become closer and better friends and we as choreographers were given the chance to see our stress reach levels we once didn’t know possible. The dedication and talent amongst the models was incredible and each

One aspect we wanted to shine light on was the philanthropic element; a side of the show that we felt could be a lot stronger. We decided to utilise the show as a platform to raise awareness for BodyWhys, the eating disorders association of Ireland – a relevant cause amongst students. During the closing walk of the first act we saw our entire cast of models walk the runway as an informative video regarding the reality of eating disorders played on screen above them. We felt this was a powerful and important note to end on as we wanted to leave the audience with some sort of message. All information and statistics used in the video we got from Bodywhys, the national eating disorder charity. It was surreal to see the vision we had back in August come to life and everyone’s hard work, time and effort materialize on the catwalk.

Having the show back in the helix for the 10th Anniversary was another important detail for us and something we agreed on from the very beginning. The show has been an integral part of DCU society life for the past decade and we felt it should be held on DCU soil again. For me, pulling off an event like this while maintaining good relations with everyone involved was crucial as we want to see the fashion show happening for the next 10 years and after this year’s success, it appears that it probably will be!

YOUNG s

Words: Orlaith Farrell Photo: Kev Kremers

Simone Rocha. Paul Costelloe. Louise Kennedy. Philip Treacy. These four names are just the tip of the platform when it comes to leading Irish fashion designers. In February, DCU Style hosted their annual Project Young Designer competition. A national platform that sees host to a group of talented young designers present their designs. The winner will both showcase and sell their designs in Om Diva boutique based in the heart of Dublin city. After facing the preliminary rounds in early February and progressing to the final during the DCU Fashion Show, Geraldine Breen, a fashion design student from the Mallow College of Design and Tailoring, displayed her design before the panel of judges which included Brendan Courtney, Natalie B Coleman, Ruth Ní Loinsigh and Linda Conway. Geraldine was awarded first place and was given the opportunity to create her own collection with Om Diva.

From a small village in Cork, Geraldine first entered the world of fashion design when she came across an ad for a local sewing class and decided to try her hand at a new skill. She was immediately hooked and found her real passion in design and sewing. She began a part-time dressmaking course in Mallow College of Design, and was so besotted by her new craft, that she was spurred to take up the full design course. Her design, Masqurade, is a stunning crop top and full, pleated skirt combination. Geraldine was inspired by cultural masks. The graphic pattern was inspired by tribal masks and the elaborate pleating was inspired by the excessive and overindulgent nature of the Venetian society. She is often inspired by vintage designs but she always likes to give them a modern twist. Her piece took over 300 hours to complete and consists of over 1500 triangles which she quilted together to make the fabric for the skirt.

From the beginning, Geraldine started to enter design competitions, the excitement and craft was mesmerising to her and she found it to be a great way to get inspiration and meet with other Irish designers. After receiving word about the DCU PYD competition, Geraldine never believed that she would walk away with first place and for it to be her first win in design competitions. At present Geraldine is concentrating on finishing college. She is focusing intently on her final year collection and is also in the process of making her sister’s bridesmaids dresses for her wedding in May. She believes that by traveling her work will evolve and designs will become even more complex and intricate. “I’d love to further my studies in such areas like embroidery and beading.” Geraldine is going to continue to pursue her career in fashion design for as long as she enjoys it. She is most definitely an Irish designer to watch.

This Look: Pattern Jumpsuit, €75. Black Knitted Cardigan, €50. Camel Fedora Hat, €30. Necklace, €18, all by Warehouse. Shoes, model’s own. Opposite: Pink Short-sleeve Blouse, €31. Floral Pattern Flare Trousers, €50, both by Oasis.

Opposite Left: Lilac Dress, €55, by Om Diva. Off White Knitted Sweater, €44. Mint Hardshell Clutch, €31, both by Oasis. Flower Hairband, €4.99. Dusty Pink, €4.99, both by H&M. Shoes, models own.

This Look: Map Print Shirt, €5. White Crew Neck T-shirt, €2.50, both by Penneys. Grey Slacks, €40, by Topman. Belt and Shoes, model’s own.

Opposite Right: Yellow Sleeveless Blouse, €34. Pink Skirt, €55, both by Om Diva. Shoes, as before.

Left: Mixed Pattern Dress, €63. Pink Bowler Hat, €30 both by Warehouse. Boots, model’s own. Middle: Heather Grey Shirt, €8. Black Skinny Jeans, €12. White Plimsole Runners, €12, all by Penneys. White Backpack, €30, by River Island. Watch, model’s own.

Right: Dark Green Blouse, €24. Black Pattern Trousers, €50. Dusty Pink Purse, €32, all by Warehouse. Shoes, as before.

If you’re anything like me, one hour on Youtube watching a makeup tutorial can turn into an entire afternoon. The beauty side of the video sharing site has become incredibly popular with girls like Shaaanxo and Lauren Curtis building a huge fan base. Here are my three personal favourites.

KathleenLights I’ve been watching Kathleen for almost a year now and only wish I had found her sooner. The first thing that strikes you about her from watching her videos is that she is completely genuine. Unlike countless Youtubers, especially from the health and beauty side, she keeps the sponsored videos to a minimum, which is uncommon and refreshing. The content on her channel offers a good mix of both high-end and lowend cosmetics and if you love tutorials, reviews and hauls.

BeautyCrush I am a huge fan of BeautyCrush. If you are looking for a beauty channel dedicated entirely to seasonal lookbooks, makeup styles and monthly favourites, BeautyCrush is your gal. She is admirably honest and not afraid to tell you which products are a complete waste of your hard earned money, and which are bargains! Her laid-back style and friendly disposition make her a joy to watch.

Jaclyn Hill Jaclyn Hill has been hailed by several of her fellow beauty vloggers as the queen bee. Cosmetic companies are itching to get their branding into her videos, simply because if Jaclyn Hill recommends a product, it’s good. She has become famous for her precise makeup application and her airbrushed finished looks. Even if I know I’m never going to wear a peach-toned eye paired with a similar lip shade out in public, I’ll watch her tutorial because it’s mesmerizing how good she is.

Photographer: James Mac Inerney Models: Leanne Brady, Nyasha Mhandu, Oisin Hoy Stylists: Gary Grimes, Hannah Farrelly Hair and make-up: Jessie O’Neill

Her: Denim Dress, €63. Brown Handbag, €35, both by Warehouse. Sunglasses, stylist’s own.

Try and take the time to watch some of these beauty gurus online. Trust me, they’re fun to watch, and you might learn a thing or two!

By Niamh Cagney

Him: Green Plaid Shirt, €38, by Urban Outfitters. Blue Jeans, €20, by H&M. Watch, stylist’s own.

redefining The statement piece by Siobhán Coakley The House of AKI-NA is a bowtie and pocket square brand that sets out to change men’s fashion and how we think about it. With the company’s motto being “Look good. Do good” it’s clear that it was set up as a social enterprise. The profits help fund AkiDwA, a national organisation of support for migrant women in Ireland. I sat down with DCU graduates Rónán Ó Dálaigh and Lye Ogunsanya who are the face of the brand to talk about their vision for AKI-NA. “There’s a lot to be said for a matching bowtie and pocket square; it just adds extra classiness”. Sold in sets, the bowties and pocket squares are extremely versatile and easy to wear. A simple pocket square to dress up a casual outfit, or the full set to add that extra bit of originality in the workplace, these pieces are designed as a medium of self-expression to cater to different personalities. The product is designed with the young working man in mind, for the

emerging fresh-minded generation of today. Although this is the main demographic, the brand has succeeded in attracting followers of all ages. As Rónán explained “the most exciting thing about this brand is you could have the likes of Conor McGregor and Barack Obama wearing it side by side”. Their team goes through a meticulous development process to ensure each item is on trend as well as catering to different styles. Quality is a main focus of the design; they ensure that all products are handmade in Ireland,100% cotton with either a brush or wax finish and stainless steel fittings. By fusing the best of African designs with contemporary fashions, the brand visually encapsulates the concept of integration. Which also translates into reality, as the profits go directly to projects which support the integration of migrant women in Ireland. Each product is made in Ireland by people originally from Africa, migrants who were refugees and are now making a life for themselves by working in Ireland.

Ogunsanya explains, “there is a high percentage of people coming out of the asylum system who are living below the poverty line and are at an even greater risk of social exclusion.” AKI-NA hopes that it’s concepts will be positive for Irish society, saying that the brand itself represents social change. “This is a way to be really proactive about making a change”. The aim is to build an international brand, and bowties are just the first step. Already taking custom orders, Ó Dálaigh and Ogunsanya are hoping to branch out into other accessories such as wallets, belts and bags. Their Spring collection is now available, alongside a limited edition Breast Cancer Research set. Find out more about this exciting start-up on Facebook at House of AKINA, and follow the guys on Twitter @ AKINAOFFICIAL. houseofakina.com

LOOK THE

the house of aki-na

By Sarah Daly The College Ball is always the event to mark on your fashion calendar. Think black tie dressed down when it comes to College Balls, a time to rock a beautiful dress but in your own unique style. The problem is where are you going to find this amazing outfit in such a short space of time? Here are the top places in Dublin to get the perfect garment for every budget and style. On A Budget? Places such as Forever 21 and New Look do floor-length gowns for less than fifty euro. Forever21 has some beautiful simple maxis in Spring pastels and nudes for girls who love a simple yet trendy look, while New Look offers a more typical, debs glam dress with many lengths to choose from. High-Street Lover. Topshop is a great place to find an edgy, right now dress for girls who are always ahead of the trends. Not only do they offer a couple of floor length dresses, they also give you a variety of dresses in all styles and lengths for girls looking to show a bit of leg or to edge it up and away from that formal feeling.

Looking For Luxury? Frock N Fabulous offers beautiful, seductive dresses which are impeccably made. But beware, they do come with a heavy price tag. Designer names such as Giovanni can be found here. Don’t be dismayed, their sale rack is usually quite great! Make an Entrance! New to Dublin, Folkster, located in Temple Bar, hosts a huge collection of beautiful gowns from all around the world. They have era-inspired, luxurious, elegant and heavily embellished gowns at prices that are all quite reasonable. They vary in size and have new stock in every month meaning you can score a fantastic gown that will make you stand out from the crowd. Feeling Weird? Eager Beaver, also in Temple Bar, offer dresses for girls who just aren’t into the typical ball gown. The quirky punk girl look can be found here at reasonable prices along with lots of accessories to help you look as unique as you are. Lucy’s Lounge also offers this look but with a more girly-girl vibe. Finally, Nine Crows is another quirky shop that has vintage, stylish stock.

For Hire! Don’t want to buy a dress? Covet: The Borrower’s Boudoir has breath-taking gowns that you can hire for the night, making this place ideal for a girl who wants to feel like a goddess in a designer dress but doesn’t want to splurge on something they may only wear once. Designers from Diane Von Furstenberg, Chanel, Valentino, Badgley Mischka and Oscar de la Renta, grace the racks of this boutique. A taste of elegance is what this Boudoir has to offer. Looking For Something A Little More Versatile? An Eliza & Ethan multi-wrap dress is the perfect solution. It’s a dress that can be twisted and manoeuvred in tonnes of different ways to allow you to wear it in whatever style you want. One-shouldered, strapless, high-neck, deep V – anything! And it’s one size fits all so you can share it with all of your friends! These dresses can be found at www.alila.ie. Hopefully these tips will help you to find the perfect dress for your next College Ball. We look forward to seeing what’s in your wardrobes next year!

THE

BEAUTY BIT

We sat down with our editor and make-up artist Amy Simpson last week, who showed us two of the most simple, yet striking looks that anybody can emulate. Speaking about what products can hold their own as a substitute to the high-end names, and how to use them to achieve these stunning looks. A nude-toned makeover is the perfect everyday look. The famous ‘barelythere’, neutral look can sometimes be difficult to achieve but it’s all about the selection of products that you use. ‘It’ girl Gigi Hadid has perfected the look and our first look is based on her infamously effortless beauty. This dewy look is all about simplicity. It can be easily recreated following two rules - the first, to use a pea-sized amount of foundation on a stippling brush which will spread the makeup evenly across your skin creating a

balanced cover. We recommend ordering one from Real Techniques for just under €10, rather than spending up to €50 in Inglot or MAC. The second rule is to use a highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones and in your T-zone. This will create that bright but not shiny look that Gigi Hadid perfects on a daily basis. We recommend Benefit’s High Beam highlighter. When applying makeup to your eyes, use nude or gold tones teamed with a simple winged eyeliner. Finish it off with a light lip. For flawless coverage use Rimmel BB Cream, MAC tinted moisturiser or Maybelline FIT foundation. When trying to achieve the perfect natural nude lip use MAC Faux €19.50, Revlon Pink Pout €10.69 or Maybelline Touch Of Spice €7.65. Our second look mirrors the dark lip trend that is very popular from the catwalk to the red carpet and every

Words: Aoife Dennedy Photos: Kelly Corrigan

nightclub in between! This bold look has graced the faces of many A-list celebrities recently including Selena Gomez, Lucy Hale and Lily Collins. It is very easy to achieve and is perfect for a night on the town. When wearing this style of makeup, it is advised to go easy on the eye and let the dark lip be the standout feature of the face. It is an inexpensive look to achieve. The only thing you need to buy is a lipstick in a striking, bold shade and invest in a decent lip liner to accentuate your lips even more! MAC lipstick colours such as Sin, Diva, Rebel and Media are perfect for achieving the dark lip look. Of course, €19.50 can be a bit steep for students like ourselves so the perfect budget alternatives are Revlon Black Cherry at €10.69, WNW Sugar Plum Fairy at just €2, and Catrice Berry Bradshaw at €4.49.