Shop the luxury drop: Phoebe Philo’s second edit, Stella McCartney’s latest collaboration and the luxury scent to know about
Your guide to April’s most coveted luxury launches
Raise a toast
Stella McCartney remains one of luxury fashion’s few designers whose collections are created almost entirely from conscious materials. In fact, material innovation is her thing. From her use of seaweed-derived fabrics to grape-based leather alternatives and sequins made from tree cellulose, the designer is a force for positive change in the industry.
And her new capsule collection with Champagne house Veuve Clicquot is the latest example: using a grape-based alternative sourced from the by-products of Veuve Clicquot’s harvest, McCartney has crafted six accessories – three iconic Frayme bags, a bottle holder housing a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and two Elyse sandals.
The collaboration is facilitated by LVMH (which owns Veuve Clicquot and retains a minority stake in Stella McCartney) and offers an impressive example to the industry of sustainable partnerships in the luxury goods space. stellamccartney.com
The carry-on essential
New York-based designer Ulla Johnson has become synonymous with her print-laden approach to design, and this season she has drenched her collection in the type of mood-boosting summer colourways that would be best worn with a sangria in hand by the beach.
Created in collaboration with Brooklyn-based artist Shara Hughes, the collection features 12 pieces (dresses, co-ords, palazzo pants, midi skirts and blouses) and accessories that combine Hughes’ vibrant landscape artwork with Johnson’s polished bohemia design focus.
Crafted from luxurious silk charmeuse and hand-crochet cotton, each piece is reflective of Johnson’s solid sustainability credentials. The capsule collection has just launched in-store at Brown Thomas and online, with pieces like the Leighton dress (pictured) going for a cool €750. brownthomas.com
Scents of decadence
Galway-based perfumer Cloon Keen has been producing sophisticated, luxurious scents for the last two decades, and its latest fragrance, Báinín, is little different.
Taking its name from the homespun wool that is traditionally knitted through Aran jumpers, and pronounced ‘bawneen’, its translation means ‘little white’ after the ivory-coloured skeins of wool. With top notes of bergamot, lemon oils and neroli, heart notes of wood accord and jasmine and base notes of musk and cedarwood, this light scent (€130 for 75ml) is comforting yet fresh.
Tried and tested, it’s one worth adding to your beauty shelf – its slick bottle alone is a worthy sight. Launching April 15 at cloonkeen.com
Minimalist muse
Fans of Phoebe Philo would have been extremely pleased to see the designer drop her second edit last month since debuting her namesake label last October.
The edit maintained the former Celine creative director’s affinity to clean, luxurious dressing, with pieces like a sumptuous silk dark khaki top, a berry-coloured high-slit column skirt and a striped banker-style shirt being among our hero picks.
And now, the designer has released the second drop of the edit, with new pieces like this double-breasted tailored blazer in mohair wool for a cool €2,600 being top of our list. phoebephilo.com
Bag it
Dublin designer Caoimhe Grant launched her luxury handbag line August Night in 2020 punctuated by its softly sculptural twists, knots, and bows.
Every collection since has strengthened the brand’s aesthetic of thoughtfully constructed designs in sustainable fabrications, and her new spring-summer collection adds two new styles to the brand: the micro ruche crossbody (€275) and the mini frill crossbody (€195).
The styles are available in statement colours like silver and chrome alongside tonal options like moss green, black and honey in a manner that walks the line between style and practicality. Available at augustnight.ie.
