The Fashion Insider : Reflection!!!

'As I reflect back on 2009 and polish off the remains of the Christmas Cake I can't help feeling that amid all the uncertainty and difficult trading there were enormous positives. Will we look back at 2009 as the year that defined who we really are? Had we really lost the 'run of ourselves' and have we now streamlined our businesses ready to take on 2010?
Personally for me 2009 was a positive year, a year where I sharpened up my business. As an agent I am always one step ahead and like many boutiques I focused on the add on sales with 'little and often' being the buzz words. Fashion trends battled between the 80's and the 40's. Lady Gaga sported shoulders of American football proportions while Joan Collins had the right idea and sold all her 80's power suits for charity.
Skinny Jeans, leggings and ankle boots marched on apace with the ankle boot outselling the humble shoe. Retailers sharpened up their businesses and spent more time at home rather than away. They offered better service, better prices and good old fashioned better buying.
On a personal note I joined a pack of Fashion Bloggers who present a unique take on the world of fashion. Some commentators say we're 'pissing in the wind' but with bloggers now sitting alongside Ms Wintour (who did her own about turn with her 'reality' documentary) I can't help but say 'watch this space'

Best Regards and a Very Happy, Prosperous and above all Healthy New Year,

Nicky

http://www.nickysragtales.com
twitter.com/nickysragtales

Genie Boutique

Genie Boutique is an online ladies high Fashion Boutique.
Our ethos is to be unique. We want your shopping experience with us to be exciting, as if you've just stepped into a small Boutique hidden away in some far corner of the world. "It's your little secret".
There is no limit or rule to what items we can stock. As long as it’s quirky & fashionable you should be able to find it here. We offer a personal service with speedy next day delivery and we can always be contacted by phone and e-mail.
We stock brands including Motel, Vila, Yumi, Miss Real, Mina & many more. Ever seen a friend in a dress and thought "now where did she get that dress", that’s the type of dress you will find on our website. Our clothes range from Modern, Retro to Vintage styles.
We are constantly sourcing the globe to find the latest dresses, tops, belts, jeans, trousers, accessories and costume jewellery. We particularly source products that look unusual and that are different to your typical high street wear. Many items are one off's meaning that we only have one available to sale, other are ordered only in small quantities to ensure are designs are ever changing.
We also have many items by new & up and coming Fashion Designers, making sure you can always find unique clothes and stay on track with the latest fashion trends. .
Our prices are very competitive, as we don’t have all the overheads that a regular retail shop has, we are able to keep our prices down considerable.

http://www.genieboutique.co.uk/

Brown Sugar Northern Ireland

Brown Sugar has 8 years experience of bringing beautiful designer collections to Moira, Northern Ireland!

We offer a personal service and we have regular deliveries so you are sure to find something new each time you visit us!

Parking is readily available and we also offer an alterations service.

Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-5.30pm

Stockists of Butler & Wilson, By Malene Birger, Custo, Darling, Day Birger et Mikkelsen, InWear, Joes Jeans, Juicy Couture, Nougat, Stills

The Village Centre Main Street Moira Northern Ireland BT67 0LE
Telephone 028 9261 2187

Jeminee!

Its all about Empowering Women
The Jeminee brand epitomises Opulence & Luxury, her passion for the fashion and couture is reflected in her work. Jeminee has been over ten years of design experience working with prestigious clients such as Selfridges, Liberty's and Fenwicks. Designing ranges of jewellery, handbags and accessories, "It's all about empowering women, when you look great you feel great!". In December 2007 her passion lead her to India, back to her roots to get inspiration for her first collection. Whilst out there she found a group of women who were in shelters as they were victims of domestic violence. The women had no education and no way of supporting themselves or their children and were forced to live in dire accomodation. Jeminee immediately decided that rather than giving them a donation she would give them the skills to work for themselves and provide for themselves and their families. She spoke to the Manufacturer and they agreed to recruit the women to work with them and make the garments. The Opulent Tahiti Collection is so special not only because they are beautiful works of art but because each garment is a piece of freedom that has been given back to these womens lives.
Working and living in China and India Jeminee is passionate about making sure her products are made ethically. The jewellery collection is made in China and Hong Kong and is compliant with ETI standards. Cleopatra Couture and Diamonds are a girls Best Friend are Jeminee's first collections. The most recent collection 'Ultimate Opulence' is out now, exquisite swarovski pieces that are timeless and will be a classic in your wardrobe for years. With her background in jewellery designing each piece has been carefully designed to suit all age groups and needs. The statement Luxe bracelets have been flying off the shelves for Christmas, so place your order early to avoid disappointment.
Jeminee Solanki

The Fashion Industry Insider by Nicky Harris

Working as a Fashion Agent and since last July as a blogger means I have one foot firmly in the next Season and the other fixed in the present

Working as a Fashion Agent and since last July as a blogger means I have one foot firmly in the next Season and the other fixed in the present. Selling Fashion a season forward means that by the time the clothes hit the shops I am already finished selling the following Seasons ranges. If that sounds confusing it’s because it is! Right now as I struggle to get all the gifts and all the last minute cooking sorted for Christmas I find myself continually looking at my calendar for January. I see already that I have a range meeting early in January in South Molton Street, London where we will preview the next Autumn Winter Falke hosiery range. It’s a meeting I can’t miss as it’s really important to go through the range and predict what the strengths and weaknesses are before I see my first customer. I also have a Yummie Tummie range meeting in London later in the month plus a Jaeger meeting. A Nicowa meeting in Munich is sandwiched somewhere in between. It’s just my luck that the meetings aren’t concurrent which means that I will be spending huge amounts of time in that horrible tunnel hanger in Heathrow and the last time I went to Munich I got lost from the Airport and arrived in a bar with thirty Germans playing poker in an Industrial estate miles from my hotel at one O’clock in the morning! I won’t survive any of the travel without a good book and my Iphone. In between all that I will be planning and sending out invitations to all my retailers for the selling season which will start in earnest at the end of January. Organising the ranges as they arrive into the showrooms, ringing customers, talking and making appointments are all part of the lead up. Doing a spot on ‘Off the Rails’ another on Tubridy and writing a daily blog are just on the side…. Phew I’m getting tired just looking at the list.

Oh by the way if any of you great Irish boutiques owners are reading this and don’t have a website I’d like to know why? Ireland is a small country going through what can only be described as a torrent of difficulties. Don’t hide your particular unique brand under a bushel. Shout it from the rooftops and put yourself out there…

www.nickysragtales.com

Christmas Edition of The Boutique Buzz

The Christmas Boutique Buzz http://bit.ly/77YnXq

Emma Manley

Up and Coming Designer Emma Manly Tells us a little about herself

Since moving from Dublin to London via New York, I have done stints at VPL NYC and Alexander McQueen. I am now based between Dublin and London and working on my own label ‘Manley’.

I first launched Manley in 2007, beginning at Dublin's Cow’s Lane Market. Here I quickly progressed and was scouted for the launch of The Loft Market in the Powerscourt Town House. After completing my training at The Grafton Academy, I gained invaluable design and market experience in New York and London, working on Fashion Week collections for both VPL and Alexander McQueen.

The Manley line includes contemporary separates and alternative evening-wear. Manley is defined by contradiction, romanticism and the longing for individuality. I work with an unusual mix of fabrics. My current collection is a combination of silk, silk chiffon, jersey, cotton and pigskin. I feel that what I am creating is progressive and individual and I constantly strive to create pieces of timeless beauty.

I am currently working between Dublin and London, concentrating on expanding my market. I will attach links to where you can see my logo and lots of shots from my most recent shoot, which I shot independently and which was shot by Beniamino Baresse

emmamanley@hotmail.com