dress, dress competition, contest, fashion contest

Design a dress competition: you design it, we produce it.

Hey there, fashion enthusiasts! Carousel has some thrilling news to share with all our amazing followers. We’re excited to announce our latest competition, the🌟”Design a Dress Competition: You Design It, We Produce It!” 🌟
Carousel is excited to announce their latest competition, the Design a Dress Competition! This competition is open to all followers on Instagram and Facebook. The rules are simple: send an image of your drawing or photograph along with some information about your design to @ilovecarousel. Feel free to draw inspiration from your favorite movies, TV characters, singers, or fashion icons. The best part? Not only will there be a fun online voting process, but the winning dress will actually be brought to life! Imagine seeing your creation turned into a stunning real outfit.
Remember, it’s not just a competition; it’s an opportunity for your dreams to become reality. Express your unique sense of style and originality. ✨

dress, dress competition, contest, fashion contest
Design a dress Competition 2022, draw and the final dress.

Desserts and Dresses: Our Photoshoot in Laduree Dublin

Photographing our new stock is always a pleasure, but when we get to use a fun, or in this case a delicious, location it is all the more exciting.  We try and switch things up as much as possible, and we are very lucky to have lot’s of great places to shoot around this fair city.

This week our neighbours at Laduree Dublin let us use their pastel and pretty surroundings to photograph some of our new arrivals, and boy did we have a sweet time.

Laduree dublin vintage style dress

This location really transported us, it didn’t feel like we were in Dublin anymore! It was like stepping back in time to the court at Versailles, a tea (dress) party held by Marie Antoinette herself! Macaroons and sugared almonds galore.  We just had to indulge post shoot – Pistachio being the groups favorite.

Laduree Dublin shop photoshoot

We welcomed two new shapes to our collection this month.  We have the ‘Cora‘ (below) and the ‘Sadie‘  that are two very different styles, but both have that nostalgic vintage inspired look that we are all about!

Laduree Dublin with the Cora 1940s inspired dress

The ‘Sadie’ (below) features an ascot style collar and a simple shift shape.  It comes in a cool cotton so its perfect for Summer.  Then once Autumn is upon us you can team it with navy tights and a cardi.

Laduree Sadie boats dress lookbook

The ‘Cora’ is a 1940’s tea dress dream and slotted right in to our setting. It has a wide waistband that cinches in the waist beautifully with cap sleeves and a shirt collar.

Laduree dublin Brigitte dress morning tea

We have also gotten some of our best selling and timeless classic shapes back in stock, in new colours and patterns for summer. These include the fit and flare Brigitte dress (above), now available in a fresh and fun botanic pattern. Back by the popular demand, the darling Ava dress in green (below), covered in an adorable pattern of swooping swallows and cute clouds, in now also back in stock, and available here.

Laduree Dublin vintage style maccaroons

Laduree Dublin Vintage Ava dress Dublin

Thank you to Laduree Dublin for allowing to use your beautiful surroundings. We think the combination of vintage inspired dresses and pretty macaroons is a match made in heaven!

Circus Summer Lookbook: A Trip to the Beach!

Our latest Circus summer lookbook is all about laid back vintage style, that’s perfect for staying cool, calm, and stylish, no matter where these sunny days take you! We were inspired by vintage photos of some of our favorite old school Hollywood icons letting their hair, and their guards, down in relaxed and playful shoots by the sea. We knew the beach would be the ideal location for us to showcase the latest summer collection from Circus. As always, the collection is jam packed with fun and unique patterns, bright, fresh summery colours, and flattering shapes made from light, comfy, breathable fabrics – and all designed by the team here at Carousel in Dublin to boot!

Keeping things casual, we decided to keep hair and make up simple and not too groomed. Although many of these dresses look just as fab dressed up with heels and accessories, we paired them with simple sandals and pumps for a beach look that’s just right. We think the resulting look book is dreamy and romantic, but playful and relaxed at the same time, and reminds us of long summer days gone by spent at the beach. We can feel the sand between our toes! Take a look at a selection below, and let us know what you think. You can shop all the looks included in the lookbook here.

vintage inspiration beach moodboard

Some of our vintage inspiration

circus vintage style summer lookbookGina polka dot dress

Circus Olivia dress summer lookbookOlivia Boat Dress

Circus summer lookbook at the beachGloria Polka Dot Dress

vinatge inspired beach lookbookDebbie Boats Dress

Dublin seaside summer lookbook Lily Striped Dress

We also made a video lookbook, so you can see the collection in action, take a look below!

Dark Florals: A Trend We Love for Winter!

Trend Watch

 We’ve never shied away from a floral here in Carousel, so we’re always thinking of ways to incorporate them into our autumn/winter wardrobe. We’ve spotted a recent mini-trend on the red carpet for dark florals, especially floral prints on a black background, and we’re loving it! We’ve found a few great styles from our range to help you capture the look.

 celebrities black floral dress autumn looks

Kyte Lily Floral Dress

New in from our Kyte range, the Lily dress is perfectly chic. Wear with fabulous strappy heels like Elizabeth Banks for a great evening look.

Dark floral vintage style dress from Kyte

Circus Ingrid Dandelion Dress

It’s approaching that time of year when we start pulling out our boots and tights. The Ingrid dandelion print dress from Circus will look perfect wrapped up with winter woollies. We’re picturing a plum lip colour to really set it off!

 Dark florals 1940s Ingrid tea dress from Circus

Kyte Jackie Contrast Dress

Classic elegance can be yours in the new Jackie contrast dress. Ultra flattering and comfortable, it’s a new favourite with all the staff! We love the hint of print on the collar and pockets. Joan Holloway, eat your heart out!

 1960s Jackie shift dress from Kyte dark floral contrast

Trends we love: The Versatile and Vintage Pussy Bow!

Bow down to the Pussy Bow!

While the pussy bow is a decorative accent that has been added to blouses and dresses for a long time now, this bow at the neckline really started to take off in the 1930’s and 40’s. It has continued as a beloved trend since then, popping up in every style era through the 20th century. A popular choice with both vintage and modern icons alike, we love the pussy bow because of it’s versatility. A playful, feminine interpretation of the men’s neck tie, a pussy bow blouse or dress is the perfect foundation for a vintage style look. The best part about it is that, depending on how you style it, you can take your pick of vintage eras to base your look on. Also, you can dress it for so many different occasions – work, formal events, casual lunches – the skies the limit!

pussy bow blouse vintage inspiration

For a 1940’s/50’s look, combine your pussy bow blouse with a retro flared skirt, like the Anita skirt from Circus. Tuck it into a pencil skirt and add a beehive for a smart 1960’s look a la Mad Men. 1970’s vibes are big news this summer, so add flares and suede to get the look. Or keep things simple by pairing the 1960’s inspired Twiggy shift dress from Circus with some sandals or colorful brogues.

pussy bow blouse modern celebrity style inspiration

Modern celebs and style icons love the pussy bow too. They keep their outfit simple, putting the pussy bow as the focus and flair of the look. Wear yours this summer over skinny jeans or shorts with sandals for a casual, laid back but polished look. The Anna blouse from Circus, available in several colors and patterns, would be perfect for this look. Alternatively, you could pop your blouse under a sleeveless dress, letting the bow peep out over the neckline, creating a whole new dress! Add some fun to your work wear by combining a patterned pussy bow blouse, like the Donna from Circus, under a slick suit or blazer, creating a feminine power suit!

With some many options coming from one little neck bow, we think the pussy bow is our new summer wardrobe staple!

Musicgals: The Inspiring Style of Women in Music

It’s no secret that music inspires our lives every day, not to mention the musicians and their own personal style behind it. Women in music, past and present, are a driving force of inspiration and expression in personal style for us here at Carousel. Whats cooler than an all-girl punk band in mini-skirts singing about how powerful women are? Kathleen Hanna once said ‘I believe in the radical possibilities of pleasure, babe.’ She was talking about buying dresses right? Or did I get that one wrong, I mean, a full wardrobe of new threads seems pretty pleasurable to me.

Or what about a 50’s Jazz beauty, dressed to the nines in a gorgeous midi dress, telling us stories of her long lost love? By emulating these stunning and powerful women, we can be transported to a different era. Style is timeless, and if you wanna pop to the shops on a Sunday morning in an Ella Fitzgerald-esque 1940’s frock, then we are all for it! Style is about having fun! If metaphorical dress-induced time travel doesn’t float your boat, you can always stay right here in 2015, “Shake Off” the bad vibes, and dance to the good ones in your favourite party dress á-lá Taylor Swift. And well, that seems pretty perfect too. Just do you, girl.

That girl thinks she’s the queen of the neighbor hood, well I’ve got news for you.. SHE IS!” (Bikini Kill, Rebel Girl, 1993)

aretha franklin vintage style soul singer

Channel soul sensation Aretha Franklin with 1960’s inspired A-line dresses and sweet floral sundresses. Finish off the look with some accessories that are ‘sweeter than honey’.
(Green Claudette Dress here, Twiggy Dress here, Sunglasses here, Earrings here)

sarah vaughan jazz women in music

Emulate the effortless 1940’s femininity and grace of jazz singer extraordinaire Sarah Vaughan, but stay cool and moody and true to her jazz roots in dark, cool colors and dark cat eye shades.
(Grey Lillian dress here, Blue polka dot Ingrid dress here, Necklace here, Sunglasses here)

solange knowles singer retro style

Get colorful and daring with some bright retro styling like the eternally cool Solange Knowles.(Butterfly Betty dress here, Red Ava 1940’s dress here, 1940’s Sunglasses here, Daisy print scarf here)

Taylor Swift style pop music singer circus

Grab Taylor Swift’s perfectly pretty style in gorgeous separates. Our Olivia skirt (Which just so
happens to be the name of one of Taylor’s cats… Coincidence? I think not.) and Marlene blouse just ooze preppy-cool. Simply add a pair of Taylor’s signature wayfarer sunglasses to finish the look!
(Burgundy Olivia skirt here, Rabbit print Angie shirt here, Blue Marlene blouse here, Floral 1950’s Anita skirt here, Wayfarer sunglasses)

kathleen hanna style riot girl carousel

Steal riot grrrl icon Kathleen Hanna’s unique and rebellious style in super cool mini skirts, shift dresses, and huge glasses!
(Peach Angie blouse here, Spot Skirt here, Black Shift dress here, Sunglasses here)

Summer Style Inspiration: Keira Knightley in Begin Again

Our Carousel film recommendation this month is Begin Again (2013), a charming, music-infused film from the director of Once (2006), John Carney.

Summer style inspiration from Keira Knightley movie

As in Once we follow two broken hearts on a musical journey across a city. Dublin is replaced with New York, a bigger budget is added , with some star power in the forms of Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo. Both give warm and likable performances as a young singer-songwriter, and an aging producer, respectively. They’re both flailing on their own but gain energy and purpose from each other.

Begin again movie vintage style inspiration

The soundtrack doesn’t have anything to match the emotional heights of Falling Slowly, but it’s good enough to have us invest in Keira Knightley’s character as a musician and songwriter worthy of our attention. The songs are simple but have an emotional resonance, as does Keira’s surprisingly accomplished vocal performance, her voice sweet and affecting.

Mark Ruffalo is adorably crumpled, as usual, as a once idealistic producer hoping to find an authentic talent to cultivate.

With a colourful cast of characters to round out the film, Carney succeeds in creating a community we care about.

We loved Keira’s laid back, vintage-inspired style in the film, it’s giving us some real summer style inspiration! Mixing sweet sundresses and fun blouses paired with high waist trousers, she hits the Carousel fashion sweet spot. We can imagine lots of our favourite Circus pieces fitting right in to her wardrobe.

Vintage Style Inspiration from Queens of the Screen!

Girls on Film – we get some vintage style inspiration from the movies!

For decades, women in film have inspired how we have dressed. The iconic ladies of the screen have an incredible way of creating characters that bring out a desire to “BE” like them. Here at carousel we definitely find some new vintage style inspiration every once in a while that influences how we want to dress. Nine times out of ten, it’s definitely dictated by a character, actress, or women in history, that we really admire.

First, lets look to fictional characters: Take “Penny Lane and the Band Aids” In Almost Famous (2000) for instance. Penny and her gal pals exude the quaint essential 70’s chick style. Too cool for school (did they even go to school?) and always effortlessly styled in loose-fitting spring time vibes. Now I’m not saying we should all copy these characters, because that wouldn’t exactly be creative now would it? Instead, how about we imagine we were part of their gang. Now that’s way more fun! (And who doesn’t love a super cool girl gang?) So grab your groovy gal pals, stick on Tiny Dancer by Elton John and blast it out on a highway while wearing these cool threads:

Almost Famous 70's style movie inspiration

movie quote style almost famous

70s style vintage inspiration movies

Next up, a woman with on and off screen style: Let’s take it back to the 40’s and 50’s with the ever chic, Jean Seberg. Muse of French New-Wave director Jean-Luc Goddard, and all-roundminimal beauty. Jean encapsulates classic cool French style on film, and in her own personal style, with pastel blues, baby pinks, and adding an edgy touch to her classic feminine style with a short pixie cut. Which (be warned) you may even be tempted to try out a pixie cut  yourself if you fall for her like Goddard did.

inspiration movie style jean serberg

vintage style inspiration retro dress from Carousel

jean seberg movie style blouse carousel

And last but most definitely not least in our current girls on film loves: A woman with incredible personal style – the unfathomable Bianca Jagger. How is she even a real person? Too hot to handle, queen of the 60’s & 70’s, the ultimate risk taker. Bianca’s style was, and is not, for the faint of heart. But luckily enough, its not so hard to emulate. So get your stilettos and head scarf wrap on, and take a look at how we re-create her style.

bianca jagger vintage style inspiration collage

vintage style inspiration carousel

Celebrate Style Icon Anna May Wong this Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today, we’re taking a look at one of our favorite vintage style queens, and very influential lady, Anna May Wong! With a career that spanned from the 1920’s to her death in the 60’s, Wong (1905 – 61) smashed through prejudices in a deeply racist 1920’s Hollywood. She became the first Chinese American movie star, and gained international recognition for her talent. While she was often cast in roles that perpetuated Asian stereotypes, she paved the way and made a crucial first step for many Asian actors in the movie world.

Apart from her talent, and important role in movie history, Wong was also a stunning style icon! We love how she mixed elements from both Chinese and American fashion. She created a truly unique and glamorous look. We’ve picked out some of our favorite looks below, and get some inspiration from the great Anna May Wong!

anna may wong vintage style inspiration chinese

anna may wong vintage movie star style

anna may wong vintage style

anna may wong chinese new year

anna may wong old hollywood chinese

vintage retro glamour dress anna may wong

Vintage Valentines Style Inspiration: The Notebook

Valentines day is just around the corner and it got us thinking about our favourite romantic films. Classics like Dirty Dancing, Casablanca and Roman Holiday all made the list! All of these movies have given us some serious Valentines style inspiration as well!

Get Vintage Inspired Valentines Style!

Vintage Valentines style inspiration the notebook

The Notebook has to be one of the most romantic films of all time. Part of the appeal (apart from Ryan Gosling of course!) is the amazing 1930s and 40s outfits Rachel McAdam’s character Allie wears throughout the film. The blue dress from the poster is probably the most famous outfit from the movie, but some of the other outfits are equally gorgeous. Many of the dresses remind us of our own Ava (See them all here) and Ingrid dress (here) from Circus. They both have that easy to wear, everyday glamour that was so prevalent in 1940’s style.  What do you think? Perfect for a Valentines date!