 Dakota Fanning - 23 February 2010One of the hottest actresses around right now, known for her excellent acting abilities in films such as War of the Worlds and Charlotte's web, is Dakota Fanning. Dakota is slowly growing to be one of the stylish additions to the fashion world also, appearing on the cover of Teen Vogue in a Gucci dress and a Vera Wang necklace.
Dakota is currently staring in vampire thriller, New Moon, part of the Twilight saga. Although she has been on the Hollywood scene for years, it is only now that the fashion world has sat up and began to take notice. She is now edging towards more gritty parts with a role in the darker flick, Runaways with Kristen Stewart.
Here Dakota can be seem coming from her trailer in a canary yellow robe, a staple wardrobe item of any actress or actor.
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 Stan Herman hits New York Fashion Week - 18 February 2010Stan Herman, the designer who made chenille robes fashionable, took to New York Week this past week to show his support for fellow designers.
Stan Herman, currently designing for his extremely successful range for television shopping channel QVC, was spotted on the front row of Nicole Miller and Tracy Reese, showing he is still in with the fashion pack since his days as the president of Council of Fashion Designers of America. Stan Herman was seen with CFDA's Stephen Kolb, a long running friend and collegue.
On the recent news that New York Fashion Week will be staged at Bryant Park after years of coming together as a group to showcase, the designer who was president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America at the time said: "Fashion in the '80s in New York was still very provincial, we had designers, but we had no cohesiveness. We were just a way station for fashion."
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 Rise of Sales in Dressing Gowns - 10 February 2010Dressing gown sales are on the increase but retailers are at a loss why. Well I can explain why, it's because were so poor to be able to anything in the outside world with the recession (which is now supposedly over so expect prices of petrol and food to shoot through the roof!) that we stay in doors, one where its warm and two because its free!
If we're going to stay in doors then were going to do it properly and get into our PJ's as soon as we arrive through the door. Or is that just I?
Since turning, well I'll miss that piece of information out, but since turning ? I seem to getting into my dressing gown a lot earlier than I used to. Its just that its so god dam comfy. I'm not going to apologise. I've had a hard day at work and if I wish to change into my nightwear at 6.30pm then I will.
Reading that back has just made me realise what I grumpy old woman I'm becoming. My last post was the same. Ok, I promise my next post will be full of happiness and joy…well we'll see. Till next time readers.
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 Valentines Approaching - 7 February 2010With Valentines Day approaching this Sunday I thought maybe I should find something a little, let's say sexy for my husband. But then the grown up in me realised we've been married for 25 years and if he turned in from work with me dressed up in satin and lace I think he'd have a early heart attack.
I think Valentines Day is less about romance and love and more about capitalising on people spending money on cards, gifts, flowers and 'surprise' weekends away. It's yet another way for us to feel sad if we don't have anyone to share the day with and sad if we don't go all out for the one we do have!
Anyway, who cares about Valentines Day when two days later you've got pancake day, surely a better day to appreciate the one you love by feeding them up on various concoctions of pancakes, sugar, lemon and ice cream! Now that's what I call love. |
Man Flu - 03 February 2010The symptoms were as follows: runny nose, a slight temperature, a tickly cough. These symptoms to me indicate the common cold. Not to my boyfriend however. It started Sunday morning when he struggled to get out of bed due his headache, which could have almost been a brain tumour the way he described the pain.
As the day drew on, his symptoms got decidedly worse, with his forcing a cough every time I went through the living room, whilst he sits back in his dressing gown and slippers struggling with man flu. Man flu is a term us girls use when a man's world come to a halt whilst he recovers from a cold that most women would just shrug off and get on with every day life.
It's now Wednesday and he is slowly recovering from his illness, expecting constant cups of lemsip and throat sweets to be supplied by myself, as I vacuum around his feet and clear up his cups that have managed to stick to the side the length of time they have been placed there. I'm ranting now, but as I sit and discuss the situation with my friends it seems I'm not the only woman going through this rigmarole with their significant other.
Men are known to be hypochondriacs and if they do actually manage to get up off the sofa, they certainly have no problem in letting us know what a soldier their being by doing so. This morning I took his dressing gown away, put it in the machine and stated that under no circumstances was he putting it back on until he blew his nose and got over the fact he had a cold. End of discussion.
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 Good enough for Bond? - 27 January 2010Bond. James Bond. One of the most suave and sophisticated men out there, although I have to remember Mr Bond is only a fictional character. My favourite Bond has to be the newest to the bunch, Daniel Craig. One photograph of him rising from the sea in those tight trunks makes me go weak at the knees.
Bond is known for his charm with the ladies and is usually seen wrapping himself up in a silk robe the morning after the night before, another beauty curled up in his bed.
Roger Moore was the original Bond for me. Both his action and kissing skills were second to none. Boys in robes are cute, men over 60 in robes are comfy. Those in-between are pretty much Bond material. It's time to buy your man a silk robe, even though Christmas is over it's never too late to make your man feel shaken, not stirred!
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 The Original Super Models - 22 January 2010I am so excited to see the rebirth of original super models. They were great in the 90's and they seem even better now. Naomi, Claudia and Linda were amongst some of the most beautiful people in the world and the latest advert from Dolce and Gabanna see these three, along with some very hunky male models, stripping from some luxurious looking white robes to their bare skin to advertise the new D&G Anthology fragrance.
There's something so timeless about a white robe, probably why it was chosen for this type of advert. The models are both classic and eternally beautiful. It was famous photographer to the stars, Mario Testino that created the beautifully shot advert. The fragrance didn't need props and costume changes, all it took were six white robes and six flawless bodies
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Failed Resolutions - 22 December 2009Christmas is upon us and another year has past where my new years resolutions have gone a miss yet again. Every year, I promise myself that this year I'll loose that dreaded last stone, take better care of my skin, keep in touch with friends and exercise more. With the mornings as cold as they are, the last thing I want to do is get is get out of bed to put on a pair of trainers and go the gym. When I'm nicely wrapped up my dressing gown, you wouldn't prise me out of it to even do a work out video in my front room!
I'm hoping next year will be different but then again, I hope the same every year. I figure that if I wanted these changes that badly, I would have done something about it by now. So that's my reasoning for being lazy! Lets hope someone buys me a gym membership this year instead of another gorgeous chenille night gown, otherwise I'm not moving on a morning, until the last minute where I think I'm going to be late for work!
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 Kaftans - Not just for the beach - 14 December 2009I remember when the news hit that David Beckham had been wearing a kaftan, styled by his Queen WAG, Victoria Jackson. I giggled as I thought about what a strange beach item for a man to wear. The next thing we'd know he'd be turning up in a sequin bikini, topped off with statement jewellery!
Nothing covers up better than a kaftan, and why should we let the weather or season for that matter, dictate when we can wear our favourite cover up?
With this sumptuously soft, fresh and flattering chenille kaftan, which has been designed in every way to combine comfort with style, night times can be as snug and as flattering as you want.
The design details include generous, wide lifting arms and a V-neck so it slips easily over the head. The chenille is wide rib, which while keeping the wearer warm while looking great.
I think this kaftan is perfect after a shower, by the pool or for lounging through the day, casual Sundays I like to call them.
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Sixty is the new Forty - 03 December 2009With a series of programmes from channel four this month, age sixty is now something to look forward to. Starting with Embarrassing Old Bodies the channel looked at problems such as menopause, bunions and prostate cancer, somethings that will affect all of us in some way or another in later life.
Gok will spread his magic on the older lady with his Sexy Over Sixty programme, in a bid to make the women of the world over 60 see that they can still love their bodies, Gok meets 72-year-old Sue who lost confidence when her husband died 3 years ago. I love Gok and find myself every Christmas asking for something that he has written to make me feel that little bit more stylish.
When ladies like me and you slip off our dressing gown its always nice to feel good in our own skin and with help from Gok Wan we can learn to look better naked!
Gok can be found tomorrow night (Monday 23rd Nov) at 9.00pm on Channel Four.
Victoria Jackson
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 Time for sales to begin - 16 November 2009With the recession hitting the UK hard this year the high street has seen sense, bringing the January sales forward to before Christmas, just in time for the festive shopping.
But when the weathers as horrible and dreary as this, who wants to be trudging the pavements with the Xmas shoppers, all pushing and grabbing for a bargain? Not me, that's for certain. Now I've grasped the art of Internet shopping I need never leave my own front room!
Not only do I get my books, music, groceries and clothes online, I can now search the sales without my toes getting trodden on and my hair turning frizzy in the fine rain, the sort that soaks you through to the bone.
Here at Kinnaird, if I'm looking for a new nightie or a new dressing gown, I can just scroll down the page and see the fantastic reductions we have.
At the risk of sounding like some over enthusiastic sales man, some items have been reduced by a whopping 80%. Some things just don't get any better than this, and fellow shoppers you have to agree with me when I say, who doesn't just love the feeling of a bargain. Especially if that bargain is 100% chenille and feel fabulously toasty in this drab, winter weather.
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Throw on a bed jacket - 8 November 2009With vintage being my main passion, whether it is an ornate vintage necklace found in my grandmother's dresser or a framed Vogue cover from 1960, the thrill of finding something old yet beautifully in tact is why I am officially hooked on vintage.
One of my idols, regardless if she is a fictional character, is Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City.
Although it was the creation of stylist Patricia Fields, Carrie had that style that many tried to emulate, with few actually succeeding.
It was Carries look in, I think, season 3, when she strutted around 5th Ave with knee high socks, skirt, vintage camisole and a bed jacket. A Chanel bed jacket I might add, but a bed jacket at that. It was a style high, simple as that, striking the trend for nightwear as outwear.
The trend for this is gaining popularity right now and with the trend for vintage never been as strong, I think I may have to snap up a cosy, little bed jacket to throw over my slip dress and tough biker boots, to balance the look over all. Keeping me warm and stylish all in one buy!
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 Models Back Stage - 1 November 2009Now that the Fashion Weeks have come to a spectacular close I decided to browse back stage photographs of some of the biggest shows. I wanted to dig deep and find out what really goes on behind the scenes, fulfilling my journalist need to nosey.
Among the champagne and fruit (no carbs of course!) the one thing that stood out was the amount of models sat round in their luxe dressing gowns waiting for hair and make up.
Bare in mind these girls were already incredibly beautiful and nothing like myself on a morning, sat waiting for my make up and hair to miraculously be complete. These girls looked a vision in white, even if it was only chenille and flannel.
My point is, looking at these glamorous shots taken from Paris Fashion Week, it shows that models, however much me might like to see them as alternative beings, are simply just like me and you and like nothing better than wrapping up warm, sipping champagne and nibbling on carrot sticks. Actually forget the last two.
Victoria Jackson |
 Dressing Gowns At London's South Bank - 16 October 2009Fans of the Douglas Adams series Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy gathered at London's South Bank in their dressing gowns to celebrate the books, as well as the pending release of And Another Thing.
Groups gathered in their dressing gowns, in honour of Adams' hero Arthur Dent, while carrying towels for Ford Prefect, who first saves Dent from Earth being destroyed to make way for a hyperspace highway.
It is very unusual to see groups of young people in their dressing gowns in the street. Seeimg it on a regular basis would certainly make me feel more comfotable when I nip to the post box in a dressing gown. |
 Wedding Morning - 8 October 2009With my sisters pending wedding slowly approaching I thought what better present to buy her than a luxurious chenille dressin gown for the morning of the nuptials.
Taking into consideration she chose New Years Eve to get married, the weather is sure to be chilly. The fantastic thing about chenille that I love is that not only does it keep you warm but also the material enables the skin to breathe, which can only be a good thing whilst trying to get ready to look the best on the biggest day of your life.
I might even go as far as getting myself and the other two bridesmaids a dressing gown to make sure we can apply our make-up and have our hair quaffed without the worry of spilling something on your gorgeous floor length black silk gowns.
This Shawl Collar Wrap Dressing Gown With Windowpane Effect will be perfect, long enough to keep us covered on the cold morning, whilst not drowning my sisters now super skinny frame.
It is set to be the most important day of her life and as chief bridesmaid I think its my job to make the second most vital part (minus the vows) of getting ready as easy as possible and what better way to start the day than wrapping yourself up warm in this sumptuous chenille robe.
Victoria Jackson |
 Even Cheryl Cole Loves Her Dressing Gown - 24 September 2009Most of our customers tend to be repeat customers, people who've enjoyed our dressing gowns in the past and would like to do so again.
It is myth that dressing gowns are only appreciated by the maturer section of society.
The fact is that everyone wears dressing gowns, some people like to lounge in one at home, others like to apply make up in them. Today's celebrity of the moment Cheryl Cole is seen here in a dressing gown.
So why is it that some poeple consider dressing gowns to be so uncool?
Maybe it's because the likes of Cheryl Cole and Madonna never come out and say they like them. Or maybe it's because when they get in their dressing gowns, that is their private time away from prying eyes. The dressing gown is their security blanket.
Making me wonder, in one aspect maybe they aren't so different from you and I. |
Sizing Is So Important - 18 September 2009Perhaps one of the most difficult parts of buying anything is getting the correct size. At Kinnaird we try and make this as easy as possible by offering the largest size range we can. By the end of October nearly all of the current range with be available from extra small to extra, extra, extra large. The sizes convert as follows :
Extra Small - 8/10
Small - 12/14
Medium - 16/18
Large - 20/22
Extra Large - 24/26
2X Large - 28/30
3X Large - 32/34
In response to customer feedback, we are also going to be introducing some items in petite sizes by mid October. So keep checking back. |
 The Importance Of The Right Belt - 11 September 2009Each of us has our own taste and it deserves to be catered for, sadly the major high street multiples seem to have forgotton that we have different tastes.
An example in point is the wrap over dressing gown, a favourite of many of our customers. But what of the different belts to go with the dressing gown? After all some people don't like the belt that is simply slotted in the loops.
The set in belt is unique in that it actually forms part of the dressing gown. It does not have loops as it is part of the garment, which means it is not possible to loose the belt either. The set in belt gives the dressing gown shape, it gives the illusion of the dressing gown coming in at the waist.
The set in belt is also a great place to add detail. The wrap chenille dressing gown with scrolls has decoratve scrolls where the set in belt is. This detail gives it a truly unique appearance, which helps set this dressing gown apart from the run of the mill dressing gowns on the high street.
You could compare it to the belts that young girls wear over their clothes, to give more shape. A fashion which has only just caught on. Except at Kinnaird we've been doing the set in belt for close to a hundred years and the high street retailers call us old fashioned !!! |
 Kinnaird & Men's Dressing Gowns - 07 September 2009With the coming autumn and winter seasons we've been developing our own range of men's dressing gowns. As there seems to be a severe lack of good men's dressing gowns around.
I came across the silk dressing gown in the image a few days ago. It looks amazing but at £2000 it is beyond the reach of most mere mortals.
The Kinnaird men's dressing gown range promises to be more modestly priced, but not at the cost of quality. We are developing a range of men's dressing gowns in superluxe chenille, cashmere and yes even silk. These will come in the form of a dressing gown, robe and even a smoking jacket. All beautifully crafted by Kinnaird.
So watch this space. |
 Make The Most Of Winter!- 04 September 2009Ah the winter blues…the chill is on! Blustery rain, the air is nippy and some of us would love to escape the season altogether to hibernate, dreaming of the sun-kissed days of summer.
The first winter chill brings the promise of hot chocolate, mum's home cooked hot meals and snuggling up in front of the fire with a good book. It also brings up a seasonal conundrums as we rummage through our wardrobes to find a warm good quality dressing gown to keep that bitter chill at bay! As sometimes our old gowns that have been lying at the back of the wardrobe all summer can look a bit tired and battered.
Panic no more! At Kinnaird Ireland, the Winter sale has come early this year with our 80% sale, a great time to invest in a new winter dressing gown. Or if you don't find anything that suits you in our sale there are plenty others that may take your fancy!
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What About Cashmere? - 28 August 2009We recently recieved a lovely letter from a lady in Somerset who was distraught at not being able to get another Kinnaird cashmere dressing gown!
She had been looking for a replacement for years, but could just not find a Kinnaird stockist. A common problem and the main reason we set up the website.
Luckily she noticed an article about us and sent us a letter. She thought we no longer made a cashmere dressing gown.
Our reply to the lovely lady and to our to loyal customers is....
With colder weather around the corner, you can expect to a the Kinnaird cashmere dressing gown on this site very soon!' |
 The Hood Robe With A Twist - 25 August 2009On the robe in the image, the chenille has been made in such a way as to achieve a two tone, or what others may call a speckled effect. As you can see from the image the robe is actually black, but has a white yarn in amongst the black. This effect is totallly unique to chenille as the white colour is not printed on, but it part of the pile.
By the middle of September this hood robe will be back in stock, but with a twist. We have decided to make it in a plain colour, so it will be available in plain black and one other colour, based on customer suggestions. So getting writting and tell us what colour you'd like to see this robe in. |
 The Kaftan & Nightwear - 24 August 2009Following customer feedback we have introduced the kaftan to our online range. We intend to introduce more kaftans to our online collection soon.
This georgous kaftan is in cotton chenille and is available in moonshine blue or soft white. It is in line with our policy of offering a wide size range, with sizes from small to 2xl available from stock.
We are in the process of expanding our online range and will be adding a range of nightwear to the site soon. It will include nighties, pyjama suits and night dresses.
If there is anything you would like to see on the site, just drop us a line and we'lll see what we can do. |
 Kinnaird Ireland Can Help You To Go Green!- 20th August 2009Kinnaird Ireland can help you to live a Green Friendly Life by keeping in the heat!
Recently tried and tested, wearing your luxury chenille gown over your clothes while snuggling up on the sofa with a good book is a sure way to be green with a little help from Kinnaird Ireland.
It definitely works and why not try by adding slippers and a woolly hat for extra low carbon toastiness!
Kinnaird Ireland are all for being Eco friendly which is why we have also included a few extra tips to help be greener by helping the environment.
1. Green Cooking Tips- Don't microwave plastic, reduce your use of prepackaged foods and stop using cheap non-stick pans, which leach toxins into your meal as you cook, consider buying organic foods. When choosing between two like items in the supermarket, pick the one with the less wasted packaging.
2. Reduce Waste- Recycle newspapers and other items whenever possible. Reduce your dependence on fast food, which creates a lot of waste products. Reuse plastic bags at least once.
3. Grow Your Own Foods As Much as Possible- Create a vegetable garden and use as few pesticides and chemical fertilizers as possible. Consider using a rain barrel to water your plants, instead of using public water.
Going green at home doesn't just help the environment, it save you money too!
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 What Goes On After Their Gigs??- 12 August 2009You would expect the likes of superstar girl band, Girls Aloud to be sipping champagne and eating strawberries and chocolates backstage after a gig...but apparently not!
After snooping around on the web for new inspiration, we at Kinnaird Ireland have found it to be a bit of a shock that it isn't just us oldies that look forward to cosying up in our favourite dressing gown....
Girls Aloud do too! Apparently the first thing they do is take off their gltzy costumes, kick off their heels, loung in their fluffy dressing gown and sit their feet in buckets of hot water!
Now there's a suprise! |
 Sundays Are For Lounging In Luxury!- 11 August 2009Sunday's are for 'lounging' and what better way to than to lounge in luxury with a Kinnaird Super Lux chenille Gown.
We, at Kinnaird Ireland are inviting you to take the opportunity to lounge in luxury on those lazy Sunday afternoons and indulge in one of our Super Lux chenille Dressing Gowns.
Winter seems a million miles away at the moment but why not prepare early for those bitter winter months and indulge in pure luxury with a Super Lux chenille gown made exclusively by Kinnaird Ireland.
With the winter season comes ice wind and snow, a perfect opportunity to "nest" at home and snuggle up with one of the brand's super soft luxury chenille dressing gowns that promises to really take the chill out of the season!
We crave comfort and convenience whenever possible, we want to lounge in big comfortable dressing gowns and fluffy throws with a cup of cocoa and an eventful film for company….
The Super Lux Cotton chenille Zip Dressing Gown by Kinnaird Ireland has been made in super lux chenille which is exclusive to the Kinnaird manufacturing process, the result is a heavier more lush pile.
This soft and fluffy cotton chenille dressing gown, available in Moonshine Blue and Soft White has a full length zip also featuring a shaped yoke with jumbo cotton chenille rib contrast in it. The jumbo cotton rib is unique to chenille which has also been added to the cuffs and two concealed pockets, perfect for lounging around!
So go on treat yourself and over indulge it whats going to be a chilly season!
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The Glamour of the Bed Jacket - 24 July 2009There comes a time when a woman feels the need to trade in her oversized tee and boyfriend shorts for something a little bit slinkier and a bit more glamorous.
The bed jacket, a waist length robe is short in length with a cape like cut, allows it to be removed or worn in bed. Perfect for those lazy Sunday morning breakfast.
Originally worn by those hospitalised or who have been recommended bed rest, the bed jacket is making a come back.
Looking back to the 1920's, when the bed jacket made its first appearance on the silver screen, glamorised in the Hollywood films of the 20's and 30's.
Beautiful movie stars would lounge in their ornate bed jackets, embellished with feathers, lace and swans down.
It was the stars such as Greta Garbo, Ginger Rodgers and Claudette Colbert, in It Happened One Night with legend Clark Gabel, that popularised the bed jacket, when short and sensual lead the way forward.
The bed jacket now is ideal for those chilly mornings, when feeling cosy and warm is top of your agenda. It is also perfect as you settle back in bed with a good book and a steaming hot chocolate.
A bed jacket has been high on my 'must buy' list for some time now, searching for the perfect vintage bed time cover-up whilst a super-luxe chenille bed jacket would be ideal for those cold winter nights.
Been a fan of black and white films the best way to recreate a slice of the glamour of that era is to choose something a little more stylish for bed time and the bed jacket fills that hole perfectly. |
 Celebrities wrap up warm in Chenille - 17 July 2009What better way to wrap up after a hard days filming than in a luxurious, soft to the touch chenille dressing gown. Most actors and actresses know the understated luxury of having a 100% dressing gown waiting in their trailer when filming wraps mid shoot.
Rather than quickly jumping into an old pair of dowdy sweats, the more glamorous of actresses prefer to wear a chenille dressing gown, the epitome of minimalist chic on set.
Dressing gowns, in the past, have being linked to the stereotypical view of an elderly gentleman, pondering in the drawing room whilst drinking a nightcap of Whiskey. However, the dressing gown is making an impact on the fashion world.
Friends star, Courtney Cox Arquette was papped stylishly wrapped in a ballerina style chenille dressing gown. The 100% cotton chenille material allows the skin to breathe, making the perfect item to wear whilst having hair and makeup applied.
The naturally breathable materials is also kinder to the skin, as well as being eco friendly, something at the forefront of most environmentally conscious celeb'.
When Carly Zucker, wife of England footballer Joe Cole, got married recently, photographs showed the WAG exiting her hotel in a full length chenille robe, emblazoned on the back with the word 'bride'.
Although slightly ostentatious, the dressing gown was there to protect her £10,000 Ana Cristache wedding dress as she had her make up applied and hair quaffed.
It was certainly a lot more chic and sophisticated than other Wag's, who have preferred the chavtastic velour tracksuit on their wedding morning.
It seems that a chenille robe is top of the celebrities list, which is something that me and you can recreate easily enough in the comfort of our own home. |
