Silent Storyteller

Solitude

  
  
Vilhelm Hammershoi 

"The whole value of solitude depends upon one's self;

it may be a sanctuary or a prison, a haven of repose or place of punishment,

a heaven or hell

as we ourselves make it"

John Lubbock

Agata Stoinska

To pigeon hole Agata  Stoinska solely as a photographer would not do her justice. Not only is she one of our top photographers, she has also become a force and facilitator of a whole artisitc and creative community.

Ireland is very lucky to have adopted her and the results of her efforts are intangible and will leave a legacy of great work from current and future artists who have been able to express themsleves thanks to her vision and support .

This is one of my favourite shoots she's done..

Photo by Agata Stoinska
Assisted by Johnny McMillian Adam Wolynszczak Kitty Gale
Styling by Tanya Grimson
Assisted by Caoimhe O'Connor Eileen Smith Karl Smith
Hair by Michael Doyle
Make Up by Billy Orr
Assisted by Dee Mc Kernan
Props: Jacqui Lewis

To see more of her incredible shoots:

www.stoinska.com

Numbers and celebrations..one year on!

  Christer Strömholm, Ingalill, 1979 via Abundance

More than a year and a half ago, my friend Helen James and I started talking about doing a blog. It was exactly a year, this month, that I started blogging.

This is post number 200.

I really can't explain what having a blog has meant to me, and how it has changed my life. With 10,000 views a month...it has opened a whole new world, which I can't imagine doing without.

Living as a designer in Ireland, with all the magic that it has, it's also very secluded and isolated.

Being alone, or feeling alone, is just part of the business...

Certainly for someone who has always been considered a foreigner or outsider no matter where I was living...the blog has connected  me with like minded people and with some, who a year ago , I  would have never imagined having access too.

It has also brought me closer to people in the 'real' world...being vocal and open, has made others realise it's OK to feel and to fear, to have insecurities  and to have an opinion...

The blog has also helped me be public about my admiration for those  who I care about, writing dozens of  'love letters' to thank them for their influence.

It has also helped me overcome extreme shyness about showcasing my work, a  'publish' click is easier than a phone call!. And has also helped over come my fear of writing in English.

Thank you so much dropping by, it has been a great year...!

Sarah Rickard

Probably one of the busiest stylists in Ireland, Sarah Rickard has organised some of the most beautiful shoots our press has featured. I welcome you to visit her website www.sarahrickard.com and check out her blog Suree Things, it's one of my favourite fashion blogs, she shares lots of images from  'behind the scenes' of her shoots, some wonderful tips and pictures of her travels.

Jeanne Eagels

Photograph by Baron Adolph de Meyer

 

"I played the grave-digger in 'Hamlet,' first, at the age of seven. They gave me the chance to play Shakespeare because nobody else of the tender age of seven would do so. They wouldn't say the rather amazing words...the other kiddies. I took it all quite seriously and said ALL the words without a quiver. Once I had begun I could not be stopped. I was ill when I was not on the stage. It seemed to me I couldn't breathe in any other atmosphere."

"I'm the greatest actress in the world and the greatest failure.

 And nobody gives a damn."

 

Jeane Eagels

 

The first Spring Summer Collection, 5 years ago....

 
 

This was the first Spring Summer I did 5 years ago.

 It feels equally as long as it does recent.

If you haven't seen or heard of the girl in the pictures you will soon...; )

 

Living

 

 

 

'In my long and difficult and mature life, I have come to learn that the less I know about acting and the more I know about everything else,

 the better I`ll be at both acting and living.'

 

Jean Seberg

The Lady in the Water

 

 

 

Toni Frissell

Gardeners

 
  
Peter O'Brien
 

 

'People who make us happy,

 are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom'

Marcel Proust

 

Amanda Grogan

Photograph by Peter Fingleton

Last Thursday I went to see NCAD 2010 graduate fashion show. Amongst the graduates, my incredible  Spring Summer 2008 season assistant, Amanda Grogan, was showing her final year collection. I was so excited to see her pieces come down the catwalk.

 I'm sure this will be the begining of a promising career. She has the enthusiasm, personality, drive and commitment to make it through the adventures the next few years will offer her.

Selected from houndreds of candidates from around the world she has been chosen as a finalist in Italian Mittelmoda competition next July....We wish you the best and break a leg!!!

I feel so lucky to have shared a season with her and hope someday we will do something together!

 

Louise Bourgeois

Via Art Tattler

 

My mother was a restorer, she repaired broken things. I don't do that. I destroy things. I cannot go the straight line. I must destroy, rebuild, destroy again. My rhythm is not the same. My mother moved in a straight line: I go from one extreme to the other.

Louise Bourgeois

December 25, 1911 – May 31, 2010

 

NYT

 

 

 

J'aime Simone

 

So exciting to see promising new talent flourishing in Irish Fashion.

To see her new collection

Simone Rocha
 
 

June Havoc

June Havoc

1913 -2010 

NYTimes

Knights and angels

To choose a career in the creative world is a curse and a calling, I may have mentioned this in some occasion before. There is no separation from work and life. Emotions fluctuate. This is just part of the deal. Sometimes it's hard to control the status of the spirit. But call it serendipity or coincidence, I'm lucky to have a handfull of what I could only define as knights in shining armour or angels. 

Without knowing, they appear in my life when needed with small and not so small gestures that help renew the soul and keep me on the right path.

One of these angels/knights left  a book in the shop last week and I have spent the past few days in heaven immersed in its wonderful images....

Merci!!!!!!

Nymphenburg Photographic series - Portraits

Adeline Andre

Christain Lacroix

Gareth Pugh

Viktor and Rolf

Vivienne Westwood

 

Nymphenburg Portraits 
   
 
 

Thank you..... Rick Owens

Dear Rick Owens,

Inspired by one of my favourite blogs, the Luxury Chronicles, who regularly writes incredibly inspiring letters to different people in the industry. I felt compelled, after reading your interview in the Financial Times today, to 'borrow' her format and send you a small note to thank you for your contribution to my sanity.

In an industry where one's integrity is constantly challenged. You have been an ABSOLUTE  inspiration for all of those who can't, or try not, to conform with the rules established by the powers that be, and make the fashion industry an almost impossible world to work in.

Thank you for your very precious interviews, which I keep in a safe drawer and read over and over again. Specially, when in doubt of my purpose in this field.

 

Kindly...a true admirer,

Eilis Boyle

 

Vanessa Friedman article in How to Spend IT

 

Josep Font....Surprises AW10/11

Josep Font

Oscars

 
Via Iconicphotos

Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly

Backstage at the 28th Annual Academy Awards 

 March 21, 1956

Jade

 

 

Impossible to imagine anyone, or anything, stealing the limelight from wonderful Chacha.

During this shoot Jade silently glided herself  straight into the centre of the frame, seconds before snapping each shot. 

 She posed as if knowing, she was meant to be there

Thank you for such a beautiful shoot.

 

This post is in your memory.

 The Great 'Dame' Jade

The red carpet calls

Today I received an email asking for a few 'gunnas'* for the next red carpet event. As if I didn't have any lovely pieces I could easily send today. I have decided to embark myself in a 38 hour frenzy ,making a few pieces I think would be much nicer for the wonderful candidate.

There is nothing better than an impossible deadline to get one's life back in track...specially after a week or so living in limbo....

In anticipation of a couple of sleepless nights and overdosing in chocolate and coffee...I wish you all a wonderful weekend  !

 

*gunnas snatched from the POB dictionary

Faded Romantic by Helen James

I know Helen James and myself share a few readers, but for those who may have missed this shoot check out her blog to see more incredible images.

Helen James Design

All photographs by

EJ Carr  Model Vanessa at Morgan The Agency Hair and Make up Ivey Sullivan at Morgan the Agency All clothing and accessories (unless stated otherwise) by Helen James

Happenings

 
 Photograph by Louise Dahl-Wolfe

 

 

What a terrible week.

There is no hiding my sentiment, and I have bored you all about this already, regarding the passing of McQueen. I'm not sure why I have been so affected by it, but losing a dear friend several years ago in the exact same manner has brought up ghosts of the past which have to be dealt with.

It's as if someone has ripped my heart out and turned my brain into mushy peas. I can't think and the headache is permanent

Travelling to London the day after the news, and it was miserably cold and wet, didn't help escape the moment. He was on the cover of every single paper, on the news on the Express train to Paddington and every conversation I over heard was talking about him.

I did go from fabric shop to fabric shop listening to personal stories of a young and determined McQueen, breathless, running around looking for fabrics. It was meaningful to be in London that day. And although sad I'm glad I was there

On a complete different note, yesterday, as I walked the dog, a wonderful 6 or 7 month old boxer puppy came out of nowhere and joined us for a couple of hours of play.

When it was time to go I didn't have the heart to leave her behind in the park, on her own. Incredibly thin she jumped into my car and we drove her to the vet to check her micro chip...the bad news is some irresponsible owner had not fulfilled their duties of doing this . Leaving me with this adorable dog and no where to find her owner.

I printed posters, drove around and went to the same park several times. No sign of owner.

She stayed the night, but I live in a tiny apartment and all I can say is that no one slept well last night.

This morning I drove her to the pound. I cried the 40 minute journey there and the 40 minute journey back. If I had a garden I would have kept her.

I would like to scream at her owner  for not being responsible enough to microchip her. I wouldn't be so upset and the poor dog wouldn't be freezing out in the cold now.

To end this moan on a lighter note..it turns out I will be going to Paris after all...

Succession?

 

Who, and if anybody, can or will be McQueen's successor?

Dreams

 

Alexander McQueen

 

'Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there,

 

 wondering, fearing, doubting,

 

 dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.'

 

 

 

Segment from The Raven by  Edgar Allan Poe

 

Photograph by Mario Sorrenti via Fashion Indie

Alex Ceball

For more information on one of my favourite contemporary illustrators, visit his site:  Alex Ceball

Sphere One by Lucy Downes

For some time I have wanted to feature a post about Lucy Downes. She's not only a brilliant designer but is one of my best friends in the real world.

For many many seasons we have travelled to Paris together for fashion week, so I guess she's always been there to celebrate or to console....

She uses the finest yarns in the world and her designs are incredibly ingenius

 
To see the wonderful handknitted cashmere cardigan that she donated to our cause Talent for Haiti....Lucy Downes Sphere One Donation.

And to see more of her beautiful pieces check www.sphereone.biz

Are you talented?

 

You have, no doubt, heard of the awful tragedy in Haiti.  

Myself and some other Irish designers are organising an online auction to raise funds.

 

We have lots of ideas and some amazing things already donated, but thought I would ask you my talented readers for input, any original thoughts ?.

 

Donations will be accepted in Bow boutique, Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin 2, Ireland (you can post them too)  up until  Tue, Jan 26th

Auction will be live

Thurs Jan 28th (I'll post when it's up with a link)

We have set up a Facebook page called Talent for Haiti with details and updates.

You can contact me with any questions either here, in the comments section, or email me at

 

info@eilisboyle.com

If you could pass on the word we would really appreciate it.

picture of Shirley Temple from tvtropes

(original post snatched from the very talented Helen James)

Kiichi Asano

 

 

 

 

  

Being tagged

To be noticed (tagged) by The Errant Aesthete is an unbelievable honour.  It has become my daily read and is a source of infinite inspiration....

In such a short time (my blogging life is barely 3 months) The  Errant Aesthete has become very close to my heart and despite its mysterious author.... she seems strangely familiar

To attempt writing this post after she produced such a wonderful piece, has proven to be an extremely hard act to follow....

How tagging works.....when you are tagged by a fellow blogger you must write ten things about yourself and then to continue the tradition you must tag seven blogs.

So here it goes....

I've always thought that my life and existence have danced between the ordinary and extraordinary.

 At an early age my parents were called into school because my teacher considered my imagination to be a worrying matter.

When stories and facts were compared.... the apparent exaggerated imagination was  simply a glimpse of my reality.....

1. By the age of thirteen I had been to thirteen schools and lived in thirteen countries.

2. My nomadic upbringing always made me feel like a 'unique' outsider. I never felt I  belonged anywhere until I moved to Ireland 9 years ago

3. You are most likely to find me at the beach in Winter.

4. At a Royal Palace, the 'Host' kindly gave me  (under the table) her portion of chocolate truffles and whispered a secret about another  Queen.

5.  2008 was an  'annus horribilis'.  I'm still physically and mentally on my way to recovery.

6. Of all the countries that I have lived in, Japan has had the strongest inlfuence in my life

7. In the late 80's I danced all night with Prince...I never new why I was his dance partner of choice... but I suspect it was because I made him look towering tall ...

8.When I grow up... I want to be a photographer.

9. I have never let fear hold me back....I would rather try and fail, than not try at all...

10. My biggest complex is, and always has been, communication...this blog was meant to be a 'silent' photographic journal....I'm slowly confronting my biggest fear.......writing in English...

 

So now you are tagged

 

1. www.advancedstyle.blogspot.com

2. www.ageofuncertainty.blogspot.com

3. www.moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/

4. www.mrstrefusis.blogspot.com

5. www.pistaclandestina.blogspot.com

6. www.prettyfarwest.blogspot.com

7. www.seenandsaid.blogspot.com

8. www.theadventuresofagirlandhermoney.blogspot.com

 

 

Bow - Two Months

Last week my new venture with Margaret O'Rourke, Matt Doody and Wendy Crawford...........

'Bow Boutique' ....celebrated two months since we first opened our doors in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre in Dublin.

Margaret O'Rourke

 

 

Matt Doody

My greatest pleasure... watching the masters at work

I wish I could hear him too....

      

Photograph originally posted by my vintage vogue