The Thoughtful Shopper: Fashion innovators, wearable art, and the craft pop-up

The It-Accessory

We’ve coined silk scarves the it-accessory of late because of its reinvention appeal: tie it as a bandeau, wear it as a neckerchief, or sling it through the straps of your handbag. Irish designer Georgina O’Hanlon’s silk scarves are a coveted example, and it's her art-meets-fashion edge that makes them all the better. Formerly the lead graphic designer at Kildare Village, O’Hanlon’s namesake label – launched in 2022 – offers kaleidoscope and artful prints, like this zodiac silk scarf. Every design is hand-drawn by O’Hanlon, printed in Ireland, and produced by silk mastercrafters in Italy. georginaohanlonilllustration.com

Bag It

Designed to be durable and made to last. This is the messaging that has underpinned Cork-based McWilliam Bags since its 1971 inception – first as sailmakers, and now as bag creators. The business devised its original hold-alls, shore bags, and totes to withstand the toughest conditions at sea – in the same fashion they created the sails – and it just so happens that their fun, punchy designs gives them a multifunctional appeal; from holidaying, to beach days or camping. Its newest Retro range reinvents its archive styles from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, welcoming fresh takes across a number of colourways. Available in small, medium, or large and starting from €70, this is the kind of bag you’ll happily have for life. mcwilliambags.com

The Innovator

‘To buy better is to buy less,’ is a frank saying endorsed by the environmentally-conscious. And London-based label Polko design makes a sound argument for it: its latest launch is a dress that can be worn in 14 ways, with the brand describing it as “your entire capsule wardrobe in one intelligent and convertible design”. It offers eight options for a dress; from maxi with full sleeves, through midi with half sleeves to a strapless mini dress. It also offers maxi, midi and mini skirts and three styles of a top. It sounds complex, but there really isn’t much work to it: each tier is detachable with buttons on the inner lining. The dress is launching on Kickstarter where shoppers can pre-order and choose from three colours: midnight black, foxy rust, and deep sea blue. “Launching on Kickstarter is a deliberate choice to ensure that there is no overproduction, and we only manufacture what we need. Once the campaign is finished, we’ll have the design available, in limited batches, via our website, and we’ll be adding a whole range of new colours,” Maheen Sadiq, founder of Polko said. kickstarter.com

Dialling In

As part of its six-week CREATE 2023 showcase, Brown Thomas welcomed 28 of Ireland’s best and brightest designers to set up shop in its Grafton Street store. Amongst those designers is Irish luxury accessories label My Name is Ted. Best associated with its distinctive Georgian door design which decorates the brand’s range of leather handbags and accessories, its latest addition is a compact phone purse. Handcrafted from the finest Italian leather and luxury suede, the phone purse may be carried by hand or worn crossbody, and it features dual all-round zips with integrated credit card slots. Designed in Ireland by Brendan McEvoy and handcrafted in Italy by third generation craftspeople, the brand nails everyday luxury. mynameisted.com

Create and Collaborate

The Irish craft sector is beaming of late, so it’s little surprise that the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland has kickstarted the return of August Craft Month this year. As part of the event itinerary, you can expect to find 12 artists, designers, and entrepreneurs from Louth Craftmark Designers Network set up shop Powerscourt Centre in Dublin. The pop-up, running from Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, features works by visual artists, ceramicists, textile designers, glass artists, jewellers, and wellness entrepreneurs. Ceramicist Michelle Hannan, for instance, creates contemporary porcelain and stoneware ceramics characterised by organic shapes and earthy colours. @louthcraftmakpopup