Now I for one have always had a penchant for some raffia, no more so than in a chic carry-all. Turns out many a Hollywood starlet is going stir-crazy for the raffia ‘Woodstock’ 24-hour bag from Paris based fashion house Gerard Darel. The IT-Bag is a firm favourite with A-list celebs including Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba and Halle Berry, all of whom have been spotted sporting the classic Rafia bag.

Halle Berry

The Gerard Darel boutique recently opened at Kildare Village and the Raffia Woodstock recently arrived priced at just €200 (RRP €285). A nice Valentines gift to welcome the arrival of spring me thinks!

Christmas breaks in Dublin just got chicer thanks to Kildare Village. Every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 26th November until Sunday 18th December, the Style Coach will be departing from some of Dublin’s top hotels – destination Kildare Village!

The designer shopping oasis just under an hour’s drive away. Rather than the stress of finding their own way there, guests at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, the Schoolhouse Hotel, D4 Berkeley, Trinity Capital and Citywest Hotel booking the special Style Coach package will be whisked through the city in a luxurious coach.

The on-board hostess will answer any questions about what awaits the passengers at Kildare Village. Style Coach passengers will be given a VIP card entitling them to an additional 10% saving on their purchases and will enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee and mince pie to fortify them for their shopping trip.

The Style Coach package is a weekend overnight package which may be booked directly with the Fitzwilliam, Schoolhouse, D4 Berkeley, Trinity Capital and Citywest hotels. For non hotel guests, Style Coach tickets can be purchased from the College Green Tourist Office for €17 per person.

Fancy an extra 20% off already discounted prices? Well you’ve come to the right place! Kildare Village in association with The Gloss Magazine are hosting the 2011 Christmas Private Sale from the 1st until 4th December. Get your invitation here at KildareVillage.com and receive an additional 20% off already reduced prices on designer clobber including Louise Kennedy, L.K. Bennett and Ted Baker. It’s the shopping event of the season. On presenting your invitation at the Tourist Information Centre you will receive a wristband which entitles you to a host of fabulous stylish savings around the Village.

This festive season, Kildare Village offers a high-end experience in an outdoor winter wonderland setting and rich pickings when it comes to the perfect gifts for the whole family. With new brands including Pandora, Hobbs and Gerard Darel opening before Christmas, it is the ultimate destination for savvy holiday shopping.

Kildare Village is open seven days a week until 7pm Monday –Wednesday and until 8pm Thursday to Sunday from 1st December. Extended opening hours from Monday 12th December will see the Village staying open until 8pm every evening. Opening hours during Christmas and New Years week will vary. Please find the most up to date information at www.KildareVillage.com. Make sure to become a fan on facebook too for the latest updates www.facebook.com/kildarevillage.

I’ve always respected the Hackett style sensibility and over the past couple of seasons I’ve found I’ve been particularly drawn to it. A lot more than usual and I’m not exactly sure why. Perhaps it’s just me. And getting older. But there’s definitely something about the overall aesthetic that really appeals me. Perhaps it’s my inner ‘squire’ yearning to be freed!

I readily admit it’s not a look I’d be into wearing every day, nor do I plan to, but there are times, particularly If I’m attending a slightly more formal occasion and want to look extra sharp that Hackett beckons. So you’ll understand when their latest look book lands I’m always very interested to see what new twists they’ve introduce. Autumn Winter 2011 does not disappoint. As always very smart looks for the modern man are presented. This year the focus seems to be very much on texture and fabric more so than colour. Rich tweeds are tailored to perfection while luxurious cable knits, patchwork jackets, cords and leather all offer a more preppy style for casual comfort.

The collection spans different themes including Après Chic, Country Kit and Old School along with the ever elegant Hackett Mayfair. The two pieces I’m coveting are the Brown fur trim leather jacket (€1000) and the grey wool patchwork jacket (€650)…At those prices, I’d better start saving!

Keep up with Darren on Twitter here!

Karen Koster arrived at the launch of the Summertime Festival at Kildare Village last Friday, looking effortless chic in an outfit that’s bang on trend this summer. Karen is a gorgeous girl and we normally tend to see her all dolled up, looking super glam. But I for one have to say, this laid back, more casual vibe really does it for me and suits her down to a tee. Admittedly, you can be much more daring with this trend but that’s not to everyones taste, Karen included it would seem. For anyone unsure, or indeed afraid, of how to wear this season’s colour blocking take note.

The beauty of this outfit is in its simplicity. Choose a neutral colour like black, white, grey or beige to anchor the outfit. In Karen’s case she’s gone for a simple black tee with some jeans. This acts as the base of your outfit and you can now decide which colours you want to introduce. Clashing fuchsia pink with orange was one of the stand out colour combinations from the Jill Sander show who really championed this trend. If it ain’t broken why fix it – Karen’s casual pink blazer works a treat and rather then wearing the second colour, she has introduced it in her bag – this is a useful tip if you think you might feel overwhelmed wearing two such bold colours in one outfit. Eh voila, you’re good to go!

Fans and fashionistas came out in force on Friday as Whitney Port, star of MTV The Hills & The City and clothing designer of Whitney Eve, was in Kildare Village to launch the Kildare Village Summertime Festival and to reveal the canvas tote bag she designed exclusively for KV, with all proceeds going to Barretstown children’s charity.

At what was widely regarded as the hottest ticket in town, a glamorous bunch of media personalities and socialites descended on Kildare for the launch including TV3’s Debbie O’Donnell, Sinead Desmond and Karen Koster, DJ and model Michelle Doherty and Sean Munsanje. Guests dined sipped on champagne and canapés from Italian eatery L’Officina.

Throughout the month of July the Summertime Festival @ Kildare Village will feature the very best of Irish and International entertainment, including singer Cathy Davey, the world renowned entertainers Physical Jerks and puppet on a bike, all of which are free of charge.

Also look forward to tantalising your taste buds at the Good Food Ireland Pop-Up where some of the very best of Irish artisan food can be enjoyed then trace your roots by signing up for a free genealogy sampler, which is being organized by the Irish Family History Foundation and RootsIreland.ie. Pictured left Whitney looked stunning as usual.

Pictured below:
1. Athena Kelly, Claire Neill and Lee-Ann McCarthy
2. Daniella Moyles and Sean Munsanje
3. Grace Guildea and Aoife Brady
4. Jennifer O’Sullivan and David Cashman
5. Karen Koster
6. Lorraine Dwyer and Lorraine Larmer
7. Linda Murphy
8. Michelle Doherty
9. Suzanne Cairns and Laura Greer

Your chance to meet Whitney Port star of MTV ‘The Hills’ & ‘The City’ as she’s heading our way to launch the Summertime Festival at Kildare Village on 1st July 2011.

Her sports luxe clothing range, Whitney Eve, is now in its fourth season and has already garnered quite the celeb following including Kourtney Kardashian, Lauren Conrad and Nicky Hilton. As part of the launch of KV’s Summertime Festival, Whitney has created an exclusive canvas tote bag in aid of Barretstown children’s charity. The chic canvas bag will be available to purchase exclusively in Kildare Village for the duration of Summertime Festival, priced at €15 from the Tourist Information Centre, with all profits going to Barretstown.

Speaking of her impending visit to these shores, Whitney said ‘ This will be my first visit to Ireland…I’m so excited. ‘

Inspiration for the design comes from Whitney’s ready to wear collection where the dominant muse was African tribal prints and colours. The bag’s bright colours and graphics make it perfect for summer (if only it would arrive!).

As of last Saturday, Kildare Village have begun welcoming dogs with new facilities for our four legged friends – woohoo! Cosy dog kennels which can comfortably hold 4 dogs in a suitably chic environment. As a dog owner and lover I see this a very welcome addition and we need more businesses to follow KV’s lead – including hotels, cafes, bars etc…

Upon arrival at the Village, take your pampered pet to the Tourist Information Centre and ask about the complimentary service, the first of its kind in Ireland.

These days there’s nothing more chic than indulging in some bargain-tastic shopping. As always, there are some super deals & fabulously frugal prices to be had at Kildare Village, including at the latest additions to the luxury line up, namely Furla and Basler.

Firstly, Furla (the Italian luxury label best known for it’s leather goods) have a delicious collection of precious bags and clutches – including some fantastic satchels, briefcases & travel bags for men might I add. If you’re a bag fan, get yourself in here and check their stuff out. The Furlanetto family has been making bags since 1927 and the tradition of quality craftsmanship and excellent leather is still very much reflected in the brand today.

Meanwhile German label Basler’s collections have a bit of a more sporty aesthetic. They’ve also a great selection of accessories – bags, belts, gloves and scarves to complement and finish off outfits, for a very polished style. If you are popping down, make sure to pencil in time for lunch in the scrumptious Italian eaterie L’Officina – the lasagna is delicious!

Kildare Village is open 7 days a week, with late night shopping on Thursday & Friday until 7pm. For more visit www.KildareVillage.com

L-R: Lorraine Dwyer & Carmel Brehany; Esheza Paul Itua; Lorraine Larmer. Pix Kieran Harnett

Top British model and muse of Anya Hindmarch, Poppy Delevigne celebrated the launch of the newly located Anya Hindmarch boutique at Kildare Village on Thursday last. The boutique was transformed into a pop-up tea room for the day for a special group of handpicked guests to devour the season’s collections. The tea room featured bespoke cakes created by Clodagh McKenna and inspired by Anya’s most iconic bags.

The Anya Hindmarch boutique at Kildare Village is now offering shoppers up to 70% off luxurious arm candy. For more information on Kildare Village and how to get there, log onto www.kildarevillage.com

Poppy Delevigne at Kildare Village

Dapper gents listen up – Luxury menswear brand Hackett London, home of authentic men’s style has recently opened at the Kildare Village Outlet. I had the pleasure of meeting the man himself Jeremy Hackett, a true gentleman if ever there was one, he lives & breathes the essence of the brand. The store interior has been inspired by flagship stores and showrooms in major cities throughout the world. The new store will stock men’s, boys and accessories collections at reduced prices.

History of Hackett “From Second Hand to Luxury Brand”

Jeremy Hackett and Ashley Lloyd-Jennings met in the Portobello Road, combing the market for good second-hand clothes. From this auspicious meeting a business developed that is still thriving twenty-seven years after the opening of the first HACKETT shop in the New Kings Road in 1983. Selling second hand fine quality clothes and accessories, discovered in house clearances and antique markets, Hackett soon gained cult status amongst the sartorially inclined cognoscenti in London. The word quickly spread abroad and soon Americans and Japanese as well as French, Italians and other Europeans, were making the journey to the wrong end of the King’s Road in search of “le style Anglais”. It soon became apparent, however, that market demand would always exceed supply and Hackett and Lloyd-Jennings decided that the answer was to have new clothes made up from natural fibres in traditional English styles.

There are currently 61 Hackett stores plus numerous concessions and key menswear stockists worldwide.

Pictured: Angela Scanlon & Lorraine Dwyer; Carla Mooney & Lorraine Murphy; Celia Holman-Lee

World-renowned photographer, Mary McCartney jetted in to shortlist the finalists for the Kildare Village most stylish lady at the Irish Derby. The overall winner was selected, for the first time ever, by the Irish public via SMS public vote and online.

Alex Fay from Ballsbridge, Dublin was named the winner on the day, winning a shopping spree at Kildare Village worth a €3,000 as well as a specially commissioned portrait by celebrity judge Mary McCartney. Enjoying the atmosphere on the day were Off The Rails presenter Sonya Lennon, the ever stylish Celia Holman-Lee, Gillian Quinn, TV3′s Anna Daly, Newstalks Claire Byrne, and Heidi O’Sullivan.

Have you ever oogled at an Anya Hindmarch handbag only wishing you had the cash to splash? Well good news coming your way this weekend as Anya Hindmarch is holding a style clearance weekend at Kildare Village with discounts of up to 80% off!

Hindmarch has established herself at the forefront of fashion, offering sophisticated handbag and designer accessories collections. Celebrity fans include Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Madonna, Claudia Schiffer and Reese Witherspoon and Hindmarch has even designed the gift bags for Vanity Fair’s Oscar party in 2006, 2007 and 2009 – need we say anymore!

Discounts to be had include The Buddy, which is available in four colour options is now priced at just €115 (RRP €214), the Halavar, available in grey and off white, is reduced to €326 (RRP €815) and the Pocket Family Bag for just €288 (RRP €643). Discounts apply from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 February.

Bag some delicious designer bargains and all those pieces you have had your eye on this season with up to 80% off at Kildare Village as we enter the third week of the January sales.

Newly opened stores include 7 For All Mankind jeans, DKNY, Superdry and Lacoste. Luxury handbag label, and one of my personal favourites, Anya Hindmarch has some amazing discounts including the major envy inducing ‘Disco Box Clutch’ (pictured) on sale at €92.50 reduced from €370. This weekend Anya Hindmarch will offer a further 10% off sale prices on selected items.

If you are hitting the slopes over the coming weeks or simply braving the cold weather here in Ireland, there’s great reductions of up to 60% on ski season essentials from brands like The North Face, TOG 24, Nike and Quiksilver. No doubt you’ll also find plenty of boots and cosy knits for après ski!

Finally, if you are popping down to Kildare Village, make sure to check out the fantastic free exhibition of works by renowned photographer Terry O’Neill including Judy Garland, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Muhammad Ali .

World renowned British photographer, Terry O’Neill has photographed everyone from film stars, musicians and sports personalities such as Judy Garland, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Muhammad Ali and members of the British Royal Family. He recently opened his first exhibition in Ireland “Intimate” devoted to his incredible archive of artwork in Kildare Village. Not only does he work with some of the worlds most stylist people, he’s also quite a stylish gent himself so HelpMyStyle.ie took a few minutes to catch up with him to discuss his personal take on style…

What five words best describe your style?
Only four words needed – casual, chic, comfortable and classic. I think that being stylish comes from being comfortable within your own skin. There is a big difference between being stylish and being fashionable.

Best style tip?
Always have your trousers pressed!

Favourite item in your wardrobe right now?
That would have to be my striped shirts. I just picked ten of them up in Bloomingdales in San Francisco for €340. My motto is to stock up when you find those wardrobe staples.

Worst and/or best shopping experience?
I always have a good experience shopping in New York. There’s nowhere in the world like it. I particularly enjoy it at Christmas, there is always a fantastic atmosphere and I like to go to the ice rink in the Rockefeller centre afterwards.

Best high street store?
I’m a big fan of Ted Baker for winter coats and scarfs and I also buy a lot of shirts in Pink and shoes in Bally.

Favourite place to shop?
Again – New York for the variety and brilliant bargains but I also love Kildare Village in Ireland and Bicester Village in the UK.

Fashion on the web?
www.kildarevillage.com to see what brilliant bargains I can pick up when I’m in Ireland. As a photographer I also love browsing the Getty Image library.

Who epitomises great style?
Frank Sinatra. As he once sang “You’ve either got it or you haven’t got style. If you got it, you stand out a mile”. He had a fantastic collection of hats which he always wore perfectly tilted on his head.

What era of style would you most like see return to fashion?
Without a doubt the 1950’s – think John Travolta and Olivia Newton John in “Grease”. It was such a glamorous era and in my opinion we haven’t seen anything as stylish since.

Check out Terry’s fantastic collection “Intimate” currently on show as a free exhibition at Kildare Village running until January 2010. Read about our recent experience at Kildare Village.