I watched and enjoyed the Lily Allen documentary, From Riches to Rags, about her and sister Sarah’s attempts to open a vintage shop, Lucy in Disguise. No business plan, the bridal boutique the bridal boutique absolutely no idea what an ordinary woman can afford, short prom dresses on sale and ignoring the advice of retail goddess Mary Portas, it was a surprise to see the shop become a reality. For Allen it was a fantasy that she could afford to indulge in. Her sister became the heroine of the show as she discovered an previously untapped business brain and poured her heart and soul into the venture. The shop opened amid fanfare and as a brand seems to be working. I was surprised to see that the girls have decided to launch a Lucy in Disguise clothing collection. It’s a collection of 18 pieces inspired by vintage pieces. It’s a premise Kate Moss used for her Topshop collections and many designers use too. It’s an easier way to make a collection and does tie in well with the vintage shop.

I am disappointed by the price of the collection. It starts at £110 up to £395 but based on the dresses I have seen in editorials and on sale, unique prom dresses 2011 the average price is more like £250.

I first saw the collection featured in Elle summer dresses wedding day summer dresses wedding day, the June edition.

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And I really loved the dresses . The photographs are fabulous.
Then there was an editorial in the Style magazine and whatever way the clothes were styled, the photographs were less than fabulous. So when I received an invite to the Irish launch in Brown Thomas on Saturday, I decided to see the collection in person. I did like what I saw. The clothes are gorgeous. But for me the price of the collection is too high and this does put me off.

I suppose that brings me back to the argument of fashion designer versus celebrity lines. Lily Allen wants to step away from the limelight and take her career in a new direction which is of course laudable. But there is no ignoring that she is well known and that helps and hinders her. She is not a trained fashion designer. Does it really matter now in our celebrity obsessed age? While at the launch I did have a look around at other collections in and around the same price point, including Carven alisha hill prom dresses 2012 nice flower girl dresses , Sandro and Opening Ceremony. The range is stocked in high end shops which is impressive. If I was to spend nearly €300 on one item of clothes, would I buy it from a celebrity range? I can’t even answer that! I do know if I found the Lucy in Disguise gorgeous silk prom dress prom dress in the sales next month I might just be tempted.
I do wish the girls best of luck. Jessica Simpson’ satin cocktail dresses indian satin cocktail dresses indians clothing empire and I do mean empire is expected to make $1 billion in retail sales this year according to WWD.

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