Wedding belles"People don't have to spend a huge amount of money to get a really lovely wedding dress," says designer Leigh Tucker who, along with sisters Tracy and Ann and mother Billie, have just opened a new bridal room on the first floor of their landmark fashion shop, Costume, in Dublin.
“One in every three phone calls we get is from a bride hoping to buy into the Costume look for their wedding,” Leigh says. The new floor will have off-the-rail bridal wear (including bridesmaids’ dresses) from international labels they already stock such as Collette Dinnegan (Australia), Alice Temperley (London), Anne Valerie Hash and Isabel Marant (Paris), along with Leigh Tucker’s own designs.
The enterprising Tuckers are including some specially sourced vintage pieces and will also offer a bespoke service. For an appointment, tel: 01-6794188. Prices start at around €1,400 and go up to €4,495. This lovely beaded dress (right) is by Collette Dinnegan and costs €3,650.
A Cartier classic
One of the most beautiful of Cartier's classic rings, the Trinity, was originally made for the writer Jean Cocteau in 1924. With its three bands of pink, white and yellow gold, its classic elegance transcends time, and it is often given as an 18th birthday gift in France (which is celebrated the way we celebrate the 21st). The company has launched a new collection based on the Trinity, but in a more luxurious format with bracelets, necklaces and "crash rings" pavéd with diamonds. But there's something simple and sophisticated about the original that remains in a league of its own. The range starts at €910: the ring pictured costs €7,800.