The Glamorous History of Dublin’s Lost Department Stores
RTÉ, June 2023
You know Brown Thomas, Arnotts and maybe even Switzers, but what about the rest? Fashion historian Ruth Griffin explores the glamour and glitz of Dublin's forgotten department stores.
A brief history of Dublin's seaside fashions
Bathing dresses that fall to your ankle. A special machine to enter the water. This is Ruth Griffin's description of bathing in Dublin in the early 1900s.
A Dublin Wedding Trousseau
While I’ve been planning my post-lockdown wedding for the end of July I have been enjoying the opportunity to research bridal fashion history in Ireland.
In the press 2015
Rua Ruth Loves…
Pull up a pew, here’s what I am loving this week…
May Day, May Day
It’s May Day and the beginning of my favourite month of the year because its full of flowers and warmer days (hopefully).
Berlin Vintage
Berlin has been on my vintage must-see list for a some time now and joining The Hive blog conference meant that I could indulge in some vintage wanderings in my free time.
My Vintage Eye- Art Deco
Welcome to a new series of blog posts called #MyVintageEye where I will select vintage finds from my favourite stores in Dublin and further afield. First up is The 3rd Policeman, an amazing vintage store which I will be focusing on over the next couple of months.
Rua Ruth Loves…
A new delivery of Ruaruth Loves through the virtual letterbox for you to enjoy this week…
The History Dress – Sarah & Doris
I am very happy to bring you this St. Stephens Day another amazing History Dress story. This time it’s a story of style and glamour passed on from one generation to another via England, Ireland and Japan and about two people who are close to my heart Sarah and Doris Hone.
Magic Carpets
There are magic carpets everywhere in Morocco and if you are in search of an adventure to find textiles for your home- Marrakesh is well worth a visit.
Its nearly winter solstice and day-light hours are becoming scarce with the sun beginning to set low in the sky now from 3pm onwards- its easy to see why we need the cheer of Christmas lights.
Dublin’s Loveliest Loos
I’d like to share with you my pick of Dublin’s loveliest loos! Yes- you did hear me right and no there won’t be photos of any actual toilets but there is a vintage angle!
Rua Ruth Loves…
Dublin is blustery and the streets have coloured leaves flying about. This morning however the sun shone and I took some photos on a tour of Trinity College with UCD Historian Ainnle O’Neill- see photos of a blaze of coloured leaves above and below and here’s some wild and wonderful things I found flying about on the web this week.
Rua Ruth Loves…
What have I been loving this week…
A Tale of Tailoring
Today’s blog is a tale of tailoring in Dublin.
Heather’s Flowers
I had the great honour recently of creating the wedding flowers for my best friend Heather’s special day.
Grandad’s Pyjamas
The weekend is all about pyjamas and I am still in mine as I write. But pyjamas can be chic, non?
Lost Fashion Tour
If you are on the tour with me today in Merrion Square, welcome! If you are reading from home you are now on a virtual tour of the Lost Fashion History of Merrion Square.
Lost Fashion on Merrion Square
I’m moving uptown! I am delving into the Lost Fashion History of another part of town. Moving from the rag-trade streets of South William Street to the couture fashion businesses and flamboyant fashion figures of Merrion Square.