Ever since her performance at this year’s Super Bowl, the Queen of Pop has been causing a stir with her single, ‘Give Me All You Luvin’. At Candy Plum, we’re not just excited about her upcoming tour but about the cover of her new single!!
For her single cover, Madonna decided to sport one of Markus Lupfer’s pieces from his new SS12 collection! If it’s good enough for the Queen Of Pop, it’s good enough for us!!
Ireland’s leading fashion extravaganza, West Coast Cooler FASHIONWEEK, launched its eighth year and thirteenth season of exciting shows and fashion events on Friday.
Celebrating Spring/Summer 2012’s key trends including pastels, sports luxe and shimmer, the programme – which runs from 14-18 March – includes three days of catwalk shows, master classes, the Culloden’s Fashion Teas and the popular Style Sunday event – and it promises to have something to suit fashion fans of all ages and tastes.
Director of Belfast FASHIONWEEK, Cathy Martin, said: “Our exciting programme will include breath-taking catwalk shows featuring stunning models styled to perfection by the most fashion forward retailers and designers. Then we’ll also introduce our free kids’ fashion seminar in conjunction with the Belfast Children’s Festival as well as our now popular daytime events – Style Sunday at James Street South restaurant with exciting new store Please Don’t Tell and designer Una Rodden as well as the Culloden Hotel’s Fashion Teas in association with luxury retailer CRUISE.”
And from Belfast independents to those from right across Northern Ireland at FASHIONWEEK, Cathy also introduced the wide range of independent stores and designer boutiques which would be showing at FASHIONWEEK saying: “On opening night we pass the catwalk gauntlet to our stunning regional designer boutiques, giving them the chance once again to wow audiences with their latest ranges. Boutique stores include Logans of Cloughmills, Candy Plum in Hillsborough, Notaria in Larne, Diamond Dolls in Banbridge, Yoke and Blush in Belfast and Armani at The OUTLET in Banbridge. Also from the OUTLET, we’ll have collections from DKNY, Calvin Klein underwear and Chloe – as well as many others.”
“We’ll also host local design talent in the form of talented milliners John Paul from Derry and Belfast’s very own Grainne Maher. Lizzie Agnew, Maria Cardenas, Lisa McCabe, Zoe Boomer and Una Rodden will also showcase their collections while newcomers Ruedi Maguire and Dave Henderson will also host their edgy dress styles.
“For our high street catwalk night we’ll see Spring/Summer collections from online fashion store boohoo.com as well as French Connection, Exhibit, Marks & Spencer, George at Asda, and stores including Oasis, LK Bennett, Kurt Muller and Pilot from The Outlet in Banbridge. CastleCourt stores GAP, New Look, Designers at Debenhams, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Republic will also showcase.
“Our official legwear sponsor theRightTights.co.uk will ensure our models’ outfits throughout FASHIONWEEK are accented perfectly with their gorgeous tights as well as bang-on-trend pop socks and ankle socks. Likewise eyewear partner William Morris will certainly have the eye on trend as their latest collections complement the fashion looks on display.”
Sarah Harvey from FASHIONWEEK’s sponsor West Coast Cooler commented on the eight year partnership saying: “The ideal choice for a night out with friends or a fun night at home, West Coast Cooler matches perfectly with the ethos of FASHIONWEEK, providing a chic and refreshing accessory to the style on the catwalk. And we are very much looking forward to seeing what’s on trend for Spring Summer 2012.”
As well as the main catwalk shows, the programme also welcomes a new fringe event this season – and one that budding fashion stars of the future can enjoy – as the team at FASHIONWEEK have paired up with Belfast Children’s Festival and The Fashion Souk to host a free designer master class for children aged between 10 and 13 who have a passion for fashion design and style.
Alyson McElroy, from The Fashion Souk, whose design team will deliver the event in association with local designers said: “The event, being held at The Europa FASHIONWEEK Centre on Friday 16 March, is totally free and will give the kids exclusive behind the scenes access to the hottest fashion show in town as well as giving them the opportunity to interact with experts and professionals involved in showcasing a top fashion event.”
Back by popular demand are the Fabulous Fashion Teas at the Culloden Estate and Spa featuring clothing from designer retailer, Cruise in Victoria Square.
Cathy told guests at the launch what to expect: “In October last year over 100 ladies enjoyed an afternoon of teas, delicious sandwiches, pastries and chic cakes, as well as a welcome cocktail from West Coast Cooler and of course an intimate look at some very cool designer collections from Cruise. This was a sell-out very early on last season, so we would recommend anyone wanting to book a place to do so sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. The show is personally compered by charming store manager and seasoned stylist Stephen Mageean who is fantastic at reading body shapes and answering personal styling dilemmas for ladies of all shapes, sizes and shopping budgets. Tickets cost £30 and can be purchased by calling the Culloden directly on 02890 421066.”
Style Sunday at James Street South restaurant, on 18 March, also makes a welcome return this season as the event finale, and will feature stunning fashions from Lisburn Road Boutique, Please Don’t Tell, as well as seasonal style tips from top Northern Ireland designer, Una Rodden. The chic event, which supports charity Mencap, features a delicious three course luncheon designed by chef Niall McKenna, and also hosts some of Northern Ireland’s top make-up and hair experts. This season, the team from Cloud 9 hair products – official hair partner for FASHIONWEEK – will produce some serious session hairstyles for the guests while FASHIONWEEK’s charming and entertaining official make-up artist Paddy McGurgan will talk make up for the Spring 2012 season. Places are £45.00 per person and can be booked directly through the restaurant on 028 9043 4310.
Throughout the week, breast cancer charity Pretty‘n’Pink will collect funds at all shows to support women who need to feel better about themselves after undergoing debilitating breast cancer surgery or treatment.”
The full show schedule is available online at www.facebook.com/belfastfw or at www.belfastfashionweek.com along with details of this season’s trends plus links to all participant retailers and sponsors. Catwalk tickets, which cost £15.00 (or £20 for a limited number of exclusive front row seats) are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre on 02890246609 or via the website. Ticket price includes a fabulous goodie bag and a refreshing West Coast Cooler. 
As the Candy Plum gals sadly said au revoir to gay Paris today, Paris was saying Bonjour with the first of it’s couture shows, beginning with Atelier Versace…
Giving their presentation at Ecole DES Beaux-Arts, Versace opened with an array of gleaming golds and eye-catching crystals. They showed pieces which have been designed to sculpt the body with the use of gold metals petals and adding a sense of ’3D’.
Gold and silver in tones of champagne and pearl grey are injected with shots of vivid orange and acid green, a rich cocktail of the dramatic Versace palette.
Atelier Versace re-worked the biker jacket, a signature design of the house, by using gold leather and transparent lace encrusted with crystals.
Versace wouldn’t be Versace without it’s array of colour! Although, we are loving their use of golds, silvers and champagne……c’est tres tres chic!
Ooo la la! Tres tres chic!
It’s that time of year again, awards season! Sunday evening brought us the Golden Globes from sun-kissed Los Angeles, Beverley Hills to be exact. So what where we all talking about on Monday morning, the nominees, the winners, Ricky Gervais’ inappropriate jokes……..eh, no! We where talking about the only thing that matters, THE DRESSES!
One major trend stood out on the red carpet this year, nude. Celebrities embraced the art of subtlety with nude and blush hues gracing the red carpet. Charlize Theron looked cute but sexy in a stunning Dior Couture gown with plunging neckline.
Elle McPherson looked every inch the supermodel in her stunning Zac Posen gown sporting a fabulous layered fishtail.
While both dresses are to die for, we have to admit, our winning look has to be Angelina Jolie. A pleasant change from her usual black, Angelina sported a gorgeous pale Atelier Versace gown with just a slash of red which really set the tone paired with a matching red clutch.
2012 is here, and with it, comes new trends for a brand new season of fabulous fashion! To gear your mind into thinking about your wardrobe for Spring/Summer 12, we thought we would give you a run-down of our top 5 trends for this coming season!
Trend 1: Pastel Princesses
After the catwalk shows in Paris, it is clear that pastels are a clear winner this season. Of course, Spring and pastels go hand in hand but for Spring/Summer 2012, pretty pastels are the way forward. Subtle tones of mint green, lilac, yellow and of course pink graced the catwalk of Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer showcase in Paris…and what a pretty sight it was!
Trend 2: White On White
With every Spring/Summer season, white is guaranteed. With a glimmer of sunshine we all dig out our white linen trousers, maxi dresses and capri pants with the hope of good weather. This Spring/Summer, white on white is a clear winner as Ralph Lauren demonstrated at their Spring/Summer 2012 showcase. Keep it crisp and clean with a touch of clinical brilliance!
Trend 3: Gatsby Glamour
This season, channel a bit of Daisy Buchanan with lavish trimmings, feathers galore and cute drop waist dresses. With the up and coming release of The Great Gatsby, the catwalks where transported back to the roaring 20′s with decadent details and silhouettes. Gucci showed an array of embellished elegance.
Trend 4: Yellow Fever
Forget scarlett fever, we are feeling the heat the season with yellow fever. wether it’s neon yellow or a cool lemon yellow, the catwalk where awash with yellow. Michael Kors switched it up on the catwalk with mustard tones, limoncillo like fabrics and classic canary yellow.
Trend 5: Bold Prints
Every Spring/Summer, prints make their appearance. Wether it be tribal, paisley or floral, they are all in this season! Mix your prints up a bit to create a quirky, bold look. We are particularly loving Diane Von Furstenburg’s varied use of floral prints on the catwalk.
“Candy Plum, Hillsborough
Award winning Fashion Boutique” requires:
Experienced and well presented part time sales assistant
For 3 days per week
Retail experience essential
Maternity Cover
Commencing mid / end January 2012
Please telephone 028 92 683 273 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
for an application form
Our sale is now on both in store and online! Get up to 40% off clothing and 20% off footwear including Ugg Australia!
Was £215, Now £193.50
Was £895 Now £537
Was £224 Now £134.40
Happy Shopping!!xx
Well it’s that time of year again where the weather starts to turn and the leaves start to disappear……you guessed it, we are now officially in Winter!
In Candy Plum this only means one thing – an array of boxes filled with super chunky knits, cosy cashmere, fabulous fur and lots of delicious deep colours!
What we are even more excited about is all of our new brands which will be taking up residence in Candy Plum.
Do you love your knitwear but want bright colours with quirky buttons and embellishment? If the answer is yes then Sonia By Sonia Rykiel is the brand you should be wearing this season!
Are you looking for easy-wearing yet stylish and purse friendly? Check out Turnover. Being the sister brand of well-known Danish label, Stills, Turnover is impeccably crafted and made to suit every woman.
Are you looking for a fabulous outfit for a winter wedding? Our new designer, Ann Louise Roswald creates fabulous, individual pieces which will make you swoon!
Ladies, this is only a taster of our new labels this season so pop in-store or have a browse online at all of our lovely new products!!
Candy Plum was delighted to be invited to Equinox in Belfast last Saturday afternoon to help with the launch of their fabulous new Zandra Rhodes jewelry collection!
While guests sipped on Moet and enjoyed delicious cupcakes, our gorgeous models took to the floor of the fabulous contemporary living store to showcase our new A/W collections and to show off the amazing new Zandra Rhodes collection.
To view the Zandra Rhodes collection, pop into Equinox on Howard Street in Belfast!
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