MISS JULIE
The crisp, clean style of artist and printmaker Luke Reidy with overlapping layers of colour informed the latest collection of bags from Julie Peelo. The designer, now based in Dublin after a successful career abroad, has produced a streamlined mix of totes, clutches, saffiano (cross-hatched) leathers and small accessories. The summer colours of the crossbodies speak for themselves – cobalt blue, cognac, denim, raspberry, and orange. Her big carryalls – totes that come in aqua, hot pink, black and cognac, as well as a summery cream with orange and aqua stripe, are capacious, stand proud and can hold everything from laptops and phones to keys, make-up and more. Prices range from €160-€225. peelo.ie
CUFFS AND COLLARS
One way of lifting a black dress from day into evening is by simply adding a striking collar or cuffs. These ones, using luxurious European laces, are made in Baku in Azerbaijan in a small workshop run by a local community of women and finished in London by designer Azima Musayeva. All are made by hand in limited numbers and many take hours to create. One particularly attractive collar, called the Corentin, is made from black and white houndstooth tweed and would elevate a white shirt, LBD or a cashmere sweater and jeans (currently on sale for £180/€211). Find them on azimamusayeva.com.
CAROLINE’S COLOURS
After years creating textile designs and prints for big brands in New York, Sydney and London, Drogheda native and NCAD graduate Caroline Duffy finally launched her own label of luxurious silk scarves during lockdown. Now married, and a mother of three young children, she works from her home studio creating original paintings, prints and products. Her bold floral and abstract designs, suffused with colour and inspired by nature, garden blooms and forest walks, have attracted a large following "and embody joy, femininity and strength", she says. Printed in Italy, prices start at €135 – find them on carolineduffydesigns.com. The one featured here is the Flourish Etoile with geraniums and peonies, priced at €210.
DENIM JACKET
This denim jacket ticks a lot of boxes; it is smart, streetwise and has those extra details that make it special – a relaxed shape in midweight organic cotton, with a pointed collar, dropped shoulder, embroidered buttonholes and brass hardware. It costs €326.95 from sirthelabel.com and comes in ivory, raw denim and black. The company promises free express worldwide shipping.
GHANEM SLAYS 'EM
Not all influencers are in their teens and 20s. This woman, 53-year-old personal trainer Grece Ghanem, originally from Lebanon now living in Montreal, has more than half a million followers on Instagram and has become something of a style icon. With her grey hair and trademark shades, she shows how to wear everything with elan – from slashed jeans and trench coats to funky trousers suits and full-length dresses teamed with rubber ankle boots. “I wear things in a fun way. I don’t have to disappear,” she told Vogue. “Women of my age are not represented on the runways or in magazines. In the end it’s you and not the clothes that matter.”
NOT SO FEY
Every year Faye Dinsmore comes up with a new twist on the Aran sweater in her one-of-a-kind capsule collection for Create. This year she brings all the experience of her Donegal heritage, her international career as a fashion model and collaboration with Sonia Rykiel and Ralph Lauren to her innovative take on this familiar heritage item. Using traditional knitting techniques (and a lot of blackberry stitch), each piece is hand knit in Donegal in wool from Donegal Yarns, with the additionof French knots and felting by Dublin-based textile artist Ciara Harrison for extra oomph. Prices are from €200-€895 at Create, and are available until August.
