Marian Gale opened her boutique in Dublin in 1980 and has specialised in weddings and special-occasion wear ever since. She lives in Dublin and mother to Harry (26) and Amber (16)
Describe what you're wearing
I love smart casual, and this leather jacket by Valentina is my favourite piece. I'm wearing it with slim pants, a top by Giorgio Grati and ankle platform boots bought in Milan. The bag was bought in a sale in Marbella and the rhinestone belt in Paris.
What do you remember about the 1980s?
People laugh about the 1980s, and the shoulder pads, but the shoulderline is what defines couture. Couture clothes are hand-built clothes as opposed to mass produced, so they give good posture and the illusion of a tiny waist. It's all to do with balance. I have a bag of shoulder pads in the shop and it is amazing how they can sharpen up something.
Where do you buy?
I think Italian tailoring is stunning and I buy 80 per cent in Milan, 20 per cent in Paris, and only bridal wear from the UK. I was the first to bring Roberto Cavalli into Ireland and I still have a black, hand-painted, suede three-piece of his from l981. I also introduced Amanda Wakeley and Jasper Conran, but their diffusion lines have undermined their quality and they are far too dear for what they do.
What sort of dresses do modern brides want?
Many would have dreamed of their look as far back as their Communion, but a lot of their looks would be dictated by circumstances. Many of today's brides are older, and may have children.
Do they still wear white?
We never sell white, we sell ivory. For every 100 dresses, we would have one white. The Snow White look went out with the high bikes!
What do you do with old clothes?
I give them to the Mater Thrift Shop in Dorset Street twice a year, along with bridal samples.
How do you describe your own style?
Casual glam, and I like to dress up at weekends.
What's the secret of your success?
Clothes are a passion - you wouldn't be good at this job if you didn't have a passion for it. I trained in the Grafton Academy and have made clothes all my life. You wouldn't know how to buy otherwise.
What are your best sellers?
We sell a lot of denim and a lot of cashmere hoodies. The whole secret of jeans is not to have a short zip - longer zips give a better line.
What's your opinion of current fashion?
In Paris recently, the only place that was packed was Chanel. That says it all. I get such inspiration from their shop on the rue Cambon. Fashion shows never show what's commercial.
What are the mistakes people make?
Not wearing the right bra. In our fitting rooms, I have a bag of bras (and the best is from Penneys, costing €6), my bag of shoulder pads, and between that and the shoes and the pins, we get it all right.
How many pairs of shoes do you have?
Too mortified to admit to that one!
Marian Gale Boutique, 8 The Mall, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, tel: 01-2697467.
