Bow

Patent leather orange Irish brogues,
…that pretty much sums this place up. full of Irish handmade, premium goods, a lot of them with a slightly quirky twist which is really very nice.
Well worth wandering in and having a look.

I’m going to be up front and honest with you, I have nefarious plans for that plummy satin shrug hanging in Bow Boutique.
At over € 100 to take home, it’s a little out of my price range (right now), but the day I have that kind of cash to put into my personal fashion… be ready.
Actually, I can see myself getting up to all kinds of fashionable fun in the sleek and pricey garments on display in gorgeous Bow Boutique. The heavy satin gowns and startling jackets (rich chocolate tweed lined in shocking fuchsia… yum) are just some of the beauties here; massive velvet roses in Spring-​perfect pastels cast as headbands, fascinators and brooches; rich scarves, silk slippy things.
There’s buttery leather cuffs in lavender, pearl strands and long hand knitted gloves (again, out of my budget at € 55).
Yep, just you wait.
I certainly can’t…

Just arrived in Dublin and struggling to see signs of any kind of fashion-​able activity in the city? Or may be you’ve lived here your whole life yet still don’t believe there’s much by way of a style culture around these parts. Either way some help is at hand. Four designers are trying their hardest to shake up fashion within the city. Ellis Boyle, Wendy Crawford, Margaret O’Rourke and Mattie Doody have recently opened Bow, a new boutique in the Powerscourt Townhouse to showcase and stock their collections.
Now, prices aren’t cheap as we’re talking serious designer-​type stuff here, but it is hard to deny that this is a courageous step to take. The stock includes made-​to-​measure evening dresses and hand-​beaded coats. The focus underlying the collaboration is eco-​fashion. As well as the groups own collections, Bow stocks other Fair Trade-​type labels from around the world, such as People Tree and Camilla Norback. Definitely worth a visit even if it’s just to gawk at such imaginative delights — that which the startling garments can be justifiably labeled as.

Bow is a new shop in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre and I hope it stays there a long time. The space is large and the stock is small, so you have a lot of breathing room while shopping. The assistants know pretty much everything about each piece because the shop is actually a co-​op of designers Eilis Boyle, Margaret O’Rourke (Mo Muse), Matt Doody and Wendy Crawford (Wendy’s Wardrobe). The overall style is understand casual and youthful. I especially love the designs of Wendy’s Wardrobe; I found the most amazing sweater featuring my lifelong obsession, owls. The sales associate, who was knitting at the time (!!) told me that Wendy’s is all made from organic cotton so it’s extra supple.
There’s a sewing machine and notions next to the desk. You can have pieces altered or even made to order at Bow! When I was in there last, a guy was whirring away on the machine, so cool! They also seel Paul & Joe jewelry which is totes cute.