Dirty Fabulous

I am always being asked by clients if I can recommend somewhere special for their mum to source their outfit. Most are looking for something a bit different rather than the dated suits with matching hats or feathers that are featured in many of the bridal magazines.

Well, look no further than the Dirty Fabulous boutique on Baggot Street. Here you will find a treasure trove of one-off, high-end vintage outfits to suit all age ranges and occasions. Sisters Kathy and Caroline will offer advice and even tailor the garments for you.

Dirty Fabulous were recently featured by Constance Harris in The Irish Independent on May 25th 2009-

Retailers talk about offering more bang for their buck, but, in reality, is that true? It seems to me that sales staff are less skilled than ever, while stores are less willing to allow consumers to exchange items, let alone get refunds. Frankly, I think the consumer is often given very little by retailers other than the hard sell.

Retailers talk about offering more bang for their buck, but, in reality, is that true? It seems to me that sales staff are less skilled than ever, while stores are less willing to allow consumers to exchange items, let alone get refunds. Frankly, I think the consumer is often given very little by retailers other than the hard sell.

So, it is with delight I tell you about an original shopping experience. Not cheap, but offering a special service, Dirty Fabulous is a vintage-clothes shop that moves shopping, and vintage, to new levels.

Sisters Caroline Quinn and Kathy Sherry opened the store only six months ago and already they have a huge portfolio of press clippings and coverage. It was a secret among fashion stylists — not any more.

Kathy and Caroline go to international vintage trade-fairs buying as any fashion buyer would, using their knowledge of their customers’ needs and applying high-fashion insight. They try to buy in colour blocks and with seasonal changes in mind.

They buy garments from the Thirties through to the Sixties, though the odd bit of Seventies’ OTT fabulousness creeps in. The clothes are pure fem and not everything is high glamour. In fact, my favourite dress — apart from the to-die-for Thirties’ crepe gown a la John Galliano for Dior — was a simple, cornflower-blue, American, Fifties’ sundress.

The two choose dresses on a love basis. Sometimes, a garment may be damaged and they will think creatively how they can restore it. As women have become larger, most vintage dresses are too petite, so finding crafty ways of converting a dress into a size 14 or 16 is part of Dirty Fabulous’s genius. Also, they aren’t afraid to slightly redesign a garment if they feel it needs more oomph.

Located on the top floor of a Georgian house on Dublin’s Baggot Street, with plenty of parking, visiting at Dirty Fabulous is by appointment only, thus guaranteeing a one-on-one service. The shop is laid out like a couturier’s salon. There’s a luxury dressing-area, couches and tea, coffee or champagne. The sisters will delight in sharing the fashion history of the dress you love.

Brides, especially, come asking for vintage dresses for their bridesmaids. It’s a testimony to the quality of the shop’s service to see the number of pictures sent by wedding-party clients. They all look fabulous and happy. If anything, the bride in her modern dress tends to look a bit flat compared to all the vintage-clad, glowing goddesses at her side!

Visit the website and blog too for lots of inspiration!