The Oscars! Our favourite time of the year for red carpet watching. Here’s the verdict on the frocks from last night. Let us know who you liked best.

What: The Oscars 2012

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She: Emma Stone
Wears:  A red Giambattista Valli Haute Couture halter neck, and a silver Louis Vuitton clutch and Brian Atwood shoes
Verdict: I love how Emma always gets it so right. Gorgeous!

She: Angelina Jolie
Wears: velvet Atelier Versace gown with a high slit, worn with simple Salvatore Ferragamo peep-toes and $2.5 million worth of Neil Lane jewels.
Verdict: Angelina always goes for black. This was predictable (velvet, slit) but she looks great.

She:  Michelle Williams
Wears: peplum Louis Vuitton frock, accessorized with a light pink Bottega Veneta clutch, 30-carat Fred Leighton for Forevermark choker and 19th century Fred Leighton bow brooch at her waist.
Verdict: Normally love what Michelle wears but not this. The colour, the peplum, no!

She: Natalie Portman
Wears: Dior Haute Couture gown with a twist (by way of subtle polka dots) and megawatt gems by Harry Winston.
Verdict: No. I don’t like this look on Natalie. Polka dots were a risk too far.

She: Jessica Chastain
Wears:  Alexander McQueen bustier gown, worn with $2 million worth of Harry Winston yellow diamonds and Brian Atwood heels.
Verdict: Love this look. My second favourite of the night after Gwyneth.

She: Jennifer Lopez
Wears: Metallic Zuhair Murad gown, a mirrored Salvatore Ferragamo clutch and Jimmy Choo sandals.
Verdict:  We can see that you’ve a smoking body JLo, this dress shows off your curves but maybe too much.

She: Rose Byrne
Wears: Vivienne Westwood gown, Chanel Fine Jewellery and Jimmy Choo platforms.
Verdict:  Major style cred for the bangs rose, but the dress looks ill fitting, there’s something up with it.

She: Octavia Spencer
Wears: elegant in a draped pale-gold beaded Tadashi Shoji boat neck gown, which she pairs with Jimmy Choo shoes, a Judith Leiber clutch and Neil Lane jewels.
Verdict: A winning look, this dress is magnificent on Octavia.

She: Cameron Diaz
Wears:  metallic gown with nearly $1 million worth of Tiffany & Co. jewels, plus Salvatore Ferragamo pumps.
Verdict: Love the way that Cameron looks curvy here, not sure about the colour on her.

She: Penelope Cruz
Wears:  A custom made lavender Giorgio Armani gown, the perfect palette for a whopping 114 carats of Chopard diamonds.
Verdict: No, no no Penelope, what were you thinking? Colour or neckline doesn’t suit you – I see what you were going for with the hair and earrings which, with another dress, would’ve worked.

She: Kristin Wiig
Wears: a tan J. Mendel gown and beachy hair, plus a Judith Leiber clutch and Neil Lane gems
Verdict: I didn’t recognise Kristin here, did she do something to her face. Love the dress though the colour doesn’t suit her.

She: Sandra Bullock
Wears: an embellished, black-and-white Marchesa.
Sandra always goes for Marchesa, it suits her figure and I like the embellishment but this dress is a little “meh”.

She: Shailene Woodley
Wears: The Descendants star says she’s “obsessed” with her Valentino Couture gown, adding.
Verdict: Really like this seventies look on Shailene – it’s youthful and suits her.

She: Gwyneth Paltrow
Wears: A white caped Tom Ford ensemble
Verdict: Favourite outfit of the night! LOVE what Gwennie has achieved here. The asymmetrical lines in her cape and hair gives a sleek honed and toned silhouette

She: Rooney Mara
Wears: A flowing white Givenchy gown
Verdict: As usual, I love her hair and pale skinned look and she carries this dress off but really needs to eat something, she’s too thin!

The details

To herald the arrival of spring, Kildare Village has partnered with The Gloss Magazine for a Private Shopping Event which will take place from the 8th – 11th March 2012. With bold floral prints and sunny brights in stock, the event is perfect for creating the perfect edit for your spring wardrobe.

Don’t miss this invite only event to update your spring wardrobe with must have designer labels and receive an additional 20% on already reduced prices in designer outlet boutiques including Anya Hindmarch, Hobbs and LK Bennett.

Get your Private Shopping invitation

CLICK HERE for your Private Shopping invitation – simply fill in your details which will entitle you to a host of fabulous stylish savings around the Village, and you’re good to shop!

P.S. For details of opening hours and more information about Kildare Village visit www.KildareVillage.com. Make sure to befriend them on Facebook too!

This is a WhatSheWears.ie advertorial feature.

We’ve turned to Blanaid Hennessy, stylist, presenter and Shutterbug store owner, to give us the skinny on all things vintage.

1.    To the untrained eye and to uneducated buyers, vintage can be a daunting and disastrous business. What are your top tips for vintage virgins?

Unless you’re a specific collector, I think the same rules apply for vintage as for buying any style of clothes! Make sure the fit is right for your shape, that the quality matches the price and that the piece is suited to your current style and wardrobe. I would say though that when it comes to vintage, I personally never buy pieces that need to be fixed, as invariably I’ll never get around to it and it becomes a total waste of money!

2.    A lot of people expect vintage shopping to be very expensive. What is the key to vintage shopping on a budget and how can customers be sure they’re getting value for money?

There are so many amazingly affordable vintage stores all over Ireland, most of whom are on Facebook, so definitely start with a quick search online! Prices can vary drastically, but stores who stock clothes from an older era, or clothes that are more difficult to find, do have to pay more for their finds and therefore have to charge that bit more. What really matters is how much you love the piece – it can cost €20, or €100, but if you truly love it, you’ll find it hard to leave behind at any price.

3.    Are there any warning signs to look out for that a shop/garment may not be legit?

Unless you’re a collector of a specific designer, you’re better off forgetting about ‘labels’. A lot of items do not hold labels. They were hand made for special events of their time!

4.    What is your favourite vintage piece that you’ve found?

I have a vintage rhinestone cocktail ring that I found for €5.00, yet it genuinely looks like a full-on diamond ring!

5.    What first inspired your love of vintage?

I’ve always loved the uniqueness of second hand and vintage clothes, spending much of my teenage years in charity shops and musty basement vintage stores, picking up suede coats and leather bags.

6.    How would you describe your everyday look and how do you dress it up at the weekend?

My style is probably best described as overdressed for the occasion, and underdressed for the weather! The only difference between what I wear during the week and at night out is that I put even more black eyeliner on, and backcomb my hair that touch more – pretty much everything else is the same!

7.    Are there trends in vintage fashion, such as a Mad Men-influenced increase in 50s style clothing, or a Downton Abbey-inspired 1920’s revival? And do catwalk trends influence buying patterns?

There is certainly a lean toward the delicate and intricate detailing of the Downton dames. However – for Shutterbug, we are being inundated with requests for everything associated with an early 90’s wardrobe. It’s a very cool, effortless, affordable and easy look. The most important thing is that people feel like their piece is unique and not just off a rack of multitudes on the High Street. They want the current trend combined with the individuality of a only-one-in-stock situation.

8.    How did you and your brother come up with the concept for Shutterbug and how has it developed over the years?

It started life as a media business in 2004 – Eoin in photography, while I worked in radio, print and styling. We managed to get our hands on a space with fantastic potential in 2010 – an old bank with beautiful big windows. It took quite a bit of graft but we managed to get the place open in May 2010, with the front space operating as an office.

We had always planned to have a multi-use space, but the store happened sooner than planned, purely because the space was just too big for the office alone. Our dream business was a space where you could shoot, style and sell – and we feel very fortunate that we’re getting to do that at the moment.

9.    Tell me about some of your favourite pieces that you have in stock at the moment?

I’m a big fan of the military and denim shirt trend – they’re just consistently growing in popularity, so I plan on wearing them myself quite a bit this Summer. I also love our vintage kimonos and sequin bits too!

10.    You’ve worked extensively in TV and as a stylist and journalist, are you working on anything exciting at the moment?

I’m actually working on what I think has been my most challenging and exciting project to date – a Vintage Kilo Sale. It’s part of our yearly ‘Absolut Style at Set’ Easter event in Langton House Hotel. Instead of price tags, shoppers pay for clothes by the weight, at just €20 per kilo. I’ve seen it before in Berlin and London, and just thought it was a fantastic idea, a really innovative way to shop for vintage. It’s also incredibly wallet-friendly, as you can get  anywhere from 3-6 regular items in a kilo.

Absolut Style at Set Vintage Kilo Sale, 7/8th April, 11am-4pm Langton House Hotel, Kilkenny. www.facebook.com/shutterbugshop

 - Gillian Brett

A favourite date in our fashion diary each spring, the Harvey Nichols Spring Summer Fashion Show will take place on Thursday March 8th, showcasing the latest looks from the Spring Summer 2012 collections.

Tickets to the show are €10 and available to purchase by calling 01 2910412 or email dublinevents@harveynichols.com

Have a look at last year’s show to get a feel for the glitz and glam on the night!

Win tickets to Harvey Nichols SS12

To be in with a chance to sit front row along with post show cocktails and a goody bag for you and a friend (this delight awaits two lucky winners!), simply post a comment below.

The Rules

To enter, leave a comment below. You must be signed up to our newsletter to be eligible (simply enter your email in the box on the right hand side of this page) and a WhatSheWears.ie fan on Facebook ; a resident of Ireland; one comment per person; no cash alternative is possible and the competition will close at 12pm on Thursday 1 March when we will pick a winner at random.  The winners will be emailed and announced in our newsletter. Bon Chance!

We’re quite fond of a red lace mini dress, so when we saw Emma Watson at Selfridges for the Lancôme pre BAFTA party in this Valentino number, we simply had to write a “Get the Look”.

Valentino, famed for its red dresses is one thing, but affording one is another . So we found this Helene Berman dress (€142.78) at The Outnet for you instead.

Emma Watson’s jewellery

Emma wore Annoushka on the night – her subtle stud earrings are the Annouska Grace earrings (€700) and she donned stacking rings (€350, at Brown Thomas) on her hand.

Emma Watson’s makeup

For Emma’s makeup – she kept it glamorous with a sexy edge, focusing on  stand out red lips.  We asked Lancôme ‘s Amanda Grossman, who did her makeup on the night, how to get Watson’s glam look. Here are all the products she used (all Lancôme, so easy to come by:

Face:

Effet Miracle Primer skin perfecting base
Teint Miracle Foundation – 010 mixed with 01
Rouge In Love Lipstick – on the apple of the cheeks for a flushed healthy look

Eyes:

Teint Miracle Concealer Pen for under the eyes
Ink Artliner in Black 01
Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara

Lip:

Rouge in Love – from Rouge in Love collection

Nails:

Nail polish – Vernis in Love collection, Noir Caviar 585N

So now that you know the insider’s tricks, will you be trying this look?

First impressions

At first sight, The Cliff House Hotel leaves an impression on you and a really good one at that.  Overlooking the sea, it’s a stylish, cascading hotel where modern terraces, gardens and balconies seem literally to trickle down the cliffs.

The 2.5 hour drive from Dublin quickly evaporated into a distant memory as we settled into the bar for some hearty lunchtime seafood chowder, over floor-to-ceiling views of the Celtic Sea.

Room to book

Any room, as they all have magnificent sea views. My room, a suite set on two levels, is “contemporary Irish” – stylish and comfortable but not too cool. The large, funky bathroom is a joy with a bath plus a double shower, edging onto a private veranda.

The king sized bed is made for an undisturbed slumber, and I loved the tasteful touches of “Irish” here and there – Donegal Tweed throws on the bed and a giant piece of art, commissioned locally for each room (in my case a two metre high arrangement of hurleys mounted on canvas).

More on the room in the video below with a full room tour!

The food

Foodies will be right at home with the One Star Michelin menu at the hotel’s ‘House’ restaurant. I didn’t get to try it as it was closed the night I stayed (its open Wednesday to Saturday), but the bar food menu has a full restaurant offering, offering local, seasonal ingredients and lots of sea food.  Two of us ate a starter and main each, shared a dessert and had two drinks each and the bill came in at €115.

The pamper factor

The Well spa and small-size indoor pool sit in the basement, with wall to wall glass that offers that sea view while you swim (again – it’s one of the best features of the hotel). A must-try treatment is the outdoor bathing experience for two -- soak in a hot bath tub infused withVoya seaweed – champagne optional! (45-60 minutes €35 per person, sans champers).

The Jacuzzi, sauna, gym and pool are free to use while treatments include Voya for seaweed baths and Anne Semonin for skincare. Reflexology, massage, yoga and reiki are all on the menu and the hotel’s setting itself is so perfectly tranquil that it’s not long before you disconnect from the outside world.

What to do

Ardmore is a vibrant village on the West Waterford coast and the beach is at the heart of it. The Cliff Walk by the hotel is a must-do, with the hotel offering Hunter wellys to all guests (this really impressed me –and the fact that no-one has stolen a pair to date!), so there’s really no excuse not to do it.

One can swim a few lengths in the sea from the comfort of the hotel steps or go Bottlenose Dolphin watching in Ardmore Bay. Golfers will revel in the fact that you can tee off into the sea from the hotel’s garden and try and land on their floating green, using biodegradable golf balls that turn into fish food in 48 hours!  They really have thought of everything.

The damage

This is five star luxury at its best and a one-night stay midweek costs from €216 per double room per night, including breakfast. Saturday nights are very popular, so book well in advance.

The details

Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Co. Waterford, Ireland. Tel: +353 24 87 800, thecliffhousehotel.com

Video of my hotel room

Recent ramblings

Pictured:  Drew Barrymore, Frida Pinto and Milla Jovovich

In a classic Hollywood house in Los Angeles, last night around 200 guests gathered to celebrate Marni´s collaboration for H&M, a collection full of Marni’s signature print and colour arriving just in time for spring. Guests were wearing the Marni at H&M collection, as well as getting an exclusive performance by Bryan Ferry.

The latest designer collaboration for H&M is all about freedom and experimentation, Marni prints and colours intended to mix and match together in a playful way. Everything goes with everything, making African prints the perfect companion to Bauhaus modernity, and sporty silhouettes sitting with more feminine shapes.

The collection also includes a full range of shoes, bags and charming accessories to create a total Marni look at H&M. Meanwhile for men, Marni offers a fresh take on menswear staples, with a subtle use of print and a softened use of colour.

We can’t wait for these looks to land in store so everyone can wear them for themselves!

Availability: The Marni for H&M collection hits H&M South King Street Dublin on March 8th.

Fresh from a visit to Ireland where the Queen of Shops herself, Mary Portas,  gave Avoca a raving review –her shoe collaboration with UK retailer Clarks, has just dropped in store.

The SS12 collection includes a wedge sandal (we love a good wedge here at WSW!), flats, textured snake prints and wearable, patent courts in natural shades to create a well rounded collection.

Designed for women, not girls, the collection is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Mary Portas and Clarks which has seen a panel of fashion editors, buyers and real women hone each detail of the range to make it perfect for every aspect of a busy woman’s lifestyle.

The result? A wedge you can walk in and heels you can run for the bus in, but overall the perfect shoe for women who are afraid of heels and the discomfort that is often associated with them. Mary says ‘I defy anyone to say they can find a more comfortable three inch heel than mine.’

Mary says ‘The most important thing we have tried to do is create a modern shoe collection for every part of a modern woman’s life today.  Life is not about teetering about painfully on top of a pair of heels – we’ve got the kids to run after and work to get on with.  This collection is about being able to look fashionable and fabulous while getting through the daily grind.  From efficient and sexy office shoes, and glamorous evening heels, to cool and funky everyday footwear – these shoes are on-trend and gorgeous, all with a bit of the ‘Mary’ edge.’

Availability: €100 for flats, €130 for courts and wedges. In Clarkes stores and online on Clarks.co.uk

Over 200 of Dublin’s movers and shakers turned up to see Marks & Spencer unveil their spring summer collection on Wednesday evening in the historic surroundings of City Hall on Dame St.

Top Irish stylist Catherine Condell, produced the show focusing on the major trends for the season including Park Avenue, Miami Kitsch, Track Stars and Culture Clash. Top models Thalia Heffernan and Christina Toal showcased the range which included key items including the iconic per una Speziale floral shift dress and Limited Collection yellow mesh dress.

The front row was filled with TV’s finest including Sinead Desmond and Alan Hughes from TV3 and fashion stylist Sonja Mohlich. Also amongst the fashionable crowd were Lisa Duffy, Debbie O’Donnell and Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain. Natasha Sherling and Sarah Rickard were amongst the twitterati in tweeting their favourite looks.

What She Ate: M&S canapés

What She Drank: champagne

What Was in the Goodie Bag: An M&S Oriental Takeaway, including a bottle of wine!

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Hailing all the way from Alberta in Canada, 19-year-old Alyssa Lau is a student who set up her blog ‘The Ordinary People’ in July of last year with her cousin Kurtis. Though they come from a small town, the duo wanted to document how even ordinary people (as the name suggests) can have extraordinarily good style. As this month’s Style Staring candidate, Alyssa shares her wardrobe loves and hates and her unusual fashion phobia…

1.    How would you describe your personal style?

My personal style changes as much as I change outfits (which is a lot). I’m constantly inspired by street style photos, and that in turn, influences my style choices. I tend to stick to a more girly style though, although I’ve been trying to mix that up. And not going to lie, I’m really enjoying the grunge look. As you can tell, I love trying new things!

2.    What inspires your look?

My main inspiration comes from places like lookbook.nu, where there is just so much creativity crammed into a tiny website. I absolutely love how sites like these are overflowing with inspiration! You can find just about any style on that site.

3.    What is the fashion scene in Canada like?

Well, I live in a pretty small part of Canada, and fashion here definitely cannot compare to New York, or Toronto even! Regardless, the fashion here can be quite remarkable, if you look in the right places. Aside from the rather conservative everyday-wear, you can always find people who embrace fashion readily.

4.    Which magazines and blogs do you read regularly?

I don’t read magazines too often, but blogs are a whole different story. I probably have too many to list, but Flattery, Jean Greige and India Rose are a few of my favourites!

www.flattery.ca
www.jeangreige.blogspot.com
www.indiaroseblog.blogspot.com

5.    Is there anything you would never wear and why?

I could and would never wear anything with shoulder pads. I have an irrational fear that my shoulders are too broad!

6.    What are your favourite current trends, why do you like them and how are you wearing them?

I am obsessed with jewellery right now, and especially stacking as much as possible on my arms and fingers. Sometimes my friends look at me weirdly because I have bracelets crawling up my arms and rings on every finger, but hey, I love it!  Another trend I love right now is the stud trend (is this even a trend?). I bought some studs off etsy and put a ton on my jean shorts just to show how much I love it.

7.    Name one go-to piece in your wardrobe and tell us why you love it?

My one go-to piece in my wardrobe would be my Jeffrey Campbell cowboy-ish styled booties. They can go with anything and everything! Also, the distinctiveness of the boot makes it just that much better.

8.    Where are your favourite places to shop in Canada?

I haven’t gone shopping outside of Edmonton in a while, so I’ll just list some of my favourite places to shop here: Gravity Pope, Urban Outfitters, H&M, Oak + Fort, Forever 21 and any thrift/vintage store!

9.    What is the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought and your best bargain?

The most expensive thing I’ve bought… would have to be a Y3 jacket I bought in Singapore for $420 SGD. Gosh that’s a lot. As for my best bargain, it’d have to be a pair of loafers I bought for $6 at a thrift store!

10.    What do you love most about fashion?

I love how versatile and dynamic fashion is, but what I love most though is the fashion community behind it all. I’ve never talked to a more supportive and kind group of people! They’re the reason why I keep blogging.

11.    Do you have any fashion pet hates?

I can’t quite say I hate anything, because sooner or later, I give in and want to try it out anyway! I take that back. I don’t like shoulder pads.

Looks pictured above  from left to right:

1: Thrifted vintage loafers and bag, scarf from Crow’s Nest Knits, dress from ASOS

2: Knit scarf from Crow’s Nest Knits, Thrifted bag, canvas wedge heels from urban outfitters, eliza mint dress from montaffair.com, go gadget go anchor necklace, forever 21 cardigan

3: LOVE black chiffon cross bust maxi dress, Jeffrey Campbell boots, envelope bag from romwe, soft leather jacket from Sheinside, knit tuque from Crow’s Nest Knits, body chain from Beginning Boutique

4: Pour La Victoire wedge booties, sequinned bat wing top and cotton skirt from causeway mall, wewood watch, go gadget go anchor necklace, knit headband from Crow’s Nest Knits