Fashion Heaven at Gráinne Maher's Fashion Vault Preview Opening!
Thursday, August 06, 2015
One of the things I have always felt passionate about is supporting local design talent! The High Street is perfect for fast fashion, but if you're on the lookout for something more individual and unique the best way to find it is to buy from lesser known, independent and emerging designers.
While I'm in a lucky position as a blogger to be exposed to many emerging and up and coming designers, many individuals don't have that opportunity, but fear not as that's all about to change with the opening of Gráinne Maher's Fashion Vault in Spires Mall, Belfast! Milliner and award winning accessories designer Gráinne Maher opened the doors to her first permanent retail outlet last week for a very special preview event for friends, media, bloggers, and fashion fanatics!
Gráinne Maher with Deux Cara designers John Gerard O'Neill & Neil Coogan.
It was such a fun evening catching up with Gráinne and my fellow fashion friends over drinks and checking out all of the fantastic pieces on display, for anyone obsessed with fashion it's a true treasure trove of fashion delights!
Myself with the fabulous Wendi Kane trying on some of Gráinne's stunning millinery!
Catching up with fellow blogger Rosanna Smyth and designer Gordon Donaldson!
This very special store will play host to an exciting array of both Irish and UK wide designers, specially curated to showcase the very best of emerging design talent! The boutique's interior has a lovely minimal feel with unique design touches which was co-designed by Victor Branco and James Failey of Atelier Design Belfast, which will evolve over the coming weeks and months with exciting fashion and interiors collaborations!
Chatting with MUA & Hairstylist Olivia Muldoon & fashion blogger Aoife Malone wearing a metallic dress by Jayne Pierson, millinery by Gráinne Maher.
For any lovers of unusual arm candy there is a selection of funky handbags from Larissa Hadjio, and I was captivated by the hand crafted appliqué necklaces from Manley! What can I say, I'm a girl who can't resist a good accessory!
Stand out pieces came in the form of the amazing worked leather pieces by designer Úna Burke, I instantly fell in love with her leather cuffs and beautifully designed belts and harnesses! Edgy and slightly risqué, they are sure to add drama to any ensemble!
Hanging out with Deux Cara designers John Gerard O'Neill & Neil Coogan, super excited to wear one of their fabulous designs to the upcoming VIP launch of Belfast FASHIONWEEK!
(Photograph by Brendan Gallagher).
I've always been a massive fan of stylist and illustrator Sara O'Neill, and she has taken the fashion scene by storm with her Eádach collection comprising of exquisite mythical illustrations on luxury silk! The drama and impact of her "Pirate Queen" dress really caught my eye and I loved how it was styled with a beautifully crafted jewellery "cape" by Bohemian Vixen and statement belt by Úna Burke!
Éadach by Sara O'Neill "Pirate Queen" silk dress.
Éadach by Sara O'Neill "Pirate Queen" silk dress with Bohemian Vixen cape & statement belt by Úna Burke.
So if you're on the lookout for something a little different, or you're a fan of beautifully crafted fashion and accessories then make sure to nip down to Fashion Vault, if you're anything like me you will either leave with lots of shopping bags or a very long wishlist! Hehe!
For more details checkout the facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Gráinne-Maher-Fashion-Vault/
All photographs unless otherwise stated used with the kind permission of Adrian Quinn Photography.
