Tempted?.

Tempted on John Street...

Wow, what a popular page this was, even though there was a mistake in the printing, and it ran on the front and back of a page instead of across two page. Not to worry, I didn't cry....much.

The owner of this shop is a true Style icon in the making, one of those girls you want to get birthday presents from, because you know they will be the best, most beautiful present ever.

Anyway, pop down for a visit if you're near John Street. It has quite an eclectic range in store.


Here is the text from that page..


Last week I mentioned that Rose Inn Street and John Street were slowly becoming a new town centre, with a fantastic collection of new stores appearing in their fabulousness on this new walkway. They will soon lead the pedestrian shopper from High Street to the Train Station Shopping Centre, and all the savvy people are pitching their tents before the main event begins.

One such retail genius is Julie Harvey, the proprietor, buyer, merchandiser, manager and all round brains behind Tempted? on John Street. Based in the old post office beside Langton’s, she has done a spectacular job on the overall look of the store. With a new face of sage green and luminous pink, the once jaded looking building now pops out of the row of buildings, and the façade alone endorses the title of the shop, it tempts you in. I could go on and on about the marvelous interiors, but this is about style, so expect to see a Tempted interior feature in this very paper shortly.

THE STORE
Tempted? Is described as a shop for women from twenty odd years of age up, who “don’t follow trends, yet have passion for beautiful clothes in gorgeous fabrics.” I personally am an advocate of any store who sells stylish, individual pieces, instead of overloading our minds with rakes of fashion that can blow our minds, wallet and wardrobe door. I am trying to train myself to buy one beautiful piece a month, and with the introduction of tempted into an already wonderful market in Kilkenny, my resolve to adopt this shopping method has suddenly become better.

The price ranges vary, and, having checked it out myself, I feel they are very fair priand reasonable, particularly for the quality of the stock. There were items to suit every budget, and the fact that you can place deposits, helps those of us who may want to soften the blow to our bank account on one day. I would definitely prefer to spend two hundred euro on a beautiful coat I will keep forever, than on four coats at fifty euro, that will end up keeping my wardrobe warm instead of my back.

We must stop this accumulation disease that is running rife through our wallets and minds. Why do we gather so many piles of “stuff”. We are not celebrities, who feel that they can’t be photographed in the same thing twice, and anyway, even with these mounds of material spilling out of laundry bins, hot presses, closets and from under beds, we tend to rotate the same twelve or so pieces continuously. So, why not shove the surplus stock towards the second hand shops, and start again.

Another bonus down at Tempted? is that styles will be limited to avoid the miniature nightmare of walking in to a club or restaurant, feeling spanking new, and finding three other women wearing some part of your outfit. Certain items will be completely unique, so you will have a little haute couture in the Marble City.

Tempted? stock the Danish designer Malene Birger, and Irish designers such as Joanne Hynes and John McCormack. Another label is Custo Barcelona, a
Spanish range which is also stocked in Brown Thomas. Sanimi is a super range which provides tailored elegance in Italian wools and silks. This range is designed by an former Alexander McQueen designer.

There is also an exceptional selection of bags and accessories, sourced from around Europe, some of which are limited edition pieces.
The back room of the shop has a selection of hats another pieces such as handmade soaps from Rose Acre soaps in Enniscorthy and felt cushions and bags by Maeve Coulter, a local designer who is based in Castlecomer Design Yard.
An innovative aspect to this store is the development of a private styling room, upstairs. This is a magnificent space, providing all the ease and comfort of your own house, with the expert help of Julie, and a whole shopful of clothes to choose from.

Tempted will help you define your own look, if you wish, and keep you up to date with new pieces that they know you will love. You can enjoy a light lunch while you are treated to a personal shopping experience. Pure bliss in my mind.
The space itself is beautifully decorated, spacious with fantastic views. It is a wonderful addition to the business.

The top floor is going to be a holistic treatments room, as Julie is a Pilates instructor. So, you can get a full shopping event, pick up a new wardrobe, a couple of textiles for your home, enjoy some food and wonderful conversation, pop up for some therapies, and leave, knowing that it can all begin again next week.

THE SHOOT
This is my favourite shoot that we have done for Style. Our photographer, Eoin Hennessy, design technician Michael Lennon, and myself worked on this panoramic image extensively, creating the perfect looks, poses, lighting and creative background. The models, Aine, Julie and Rachel are as good as any of your professionals, following direction exactly.

From left to right, Aine is modeling an ideal work, or semi formal look. The silk shirt is a leotard style, which draws the material smoothly over the waist and hips. This removes unwanted material bulk, and accentuates the midriff. The double collar, featuring a chiffon ruffled outer collar, rests perfectly against the jaw line, defining and framing the face and neck. Combined with a high waisted tweed skirt, and drop necklace, this outfit is crowned, literally, by this remarkable fancy for the hair.

Julie is wearing, very well, this Danish style navy dress, with a drop waist and wide sleeves. It features a polka dot slip, and comes with a complementing scarf, that can be worn any which way you like. It is a beautiful piece.
Rachel models this glittering gold hounds tooth design cropped jacket. This is such a well done piece, not too over the top, ideal for this casual style, or for dressing up a plain black dress on a night out. The jeans are a wonderful fit.
Aine is looking quite 1980 in this next ensemble, the striped top has an open back, and can be worn like this over good thick leggings, or as a dress over tights. You can also wear it casually over jeans.

On the next page, Julie is modeling this amazing black overcoat, which sports a run of buttons, and a full skirt. We chose to show it as a dress, but it is faultless as a piece for any wardrobe.

Rachel shows this dress to perfection, with a structured design and nude chiffon paneling and arms, it is a classic style. It highlights the collar bone and defines the waist, yet doesn’t cling to the thighs.

Aine is back with a more mature look. This forest green polo neck is perfect for her colouring. The skirt, gold lace over a flesh colored underskirt, has been pulled up high on the waist, accentuating the bust, waist and hips perfectly. The necklace, created with beads of similar tones, balances the sparkle quotient of the outfit.

Finally, Julie is representing the Seventies style ski era, with a delectable wool cardigan, complete with velvet wired tie. This is a comfortable, snug addition to a winter wardrobe, wear it over your black office skirt or trousers, over jeans, over a little white skirt on a night out, with anything really.

All of the amazing footwear came from the Pink Room on William Street (up by the old cinema), a store which complements the style of Tempted and other boutiques in the city. The shoes are of fantastic quality and creation, and ideally supplemented each of our overall looks.
The makeup was done by the very talented Helen in O’Connell’s pharmacy on High Street. I gave her the brief of movie star lips, and heavy dark eyes, to create a mood of identity and glamour for the shoot. She is remarkably gifted at make up artistry, talk to her if you are confused about the whole cosmetics world. She used Shiseido products, a personal favourite of mine, whose skincare specifically is second to none.

……..So, the answer to the question? Yes, I am tempted…


Photography - Eoin Hennessy Photography
Background design - Michael Lennon
Styling and Hair - Blanaid Hennessy
Makeup - Helen in O’Connell’s Pharmacy, High Street, using Shiseido.
Shoes - The Pink Room, William Street.