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Buy Irish, wear Irish – here’s your ultimate glossary of Irish designers to buy from for Christmas
When it comes to fashion and design, Ireland stands on the world stage. High fashion designers like Simone Rocha and Richard Malone are famous worldwide, but closer to home, we have thousands of creatives across this island worthy of our wallet’s attention this Christmas.
Whether it’s loungewear, jewellery, luxurious cashmere or the accessory of the moment (a facemask of course), here are 50 of our most covetable designers.
NCAD graduate jewellery designer Lynsey De Burca creates minimalist pieces inspired by her surroundings in the West of Ireland, running her studio from Moycullen in Co. Galway. Her recently launched Gold Capsule Collection is the perfect option for a Christmas gift, including a pendant, earrings and rings and starting from €80. lynseydeburca.com
Since launching in 2014 with their Rock & Roll and Geometric Collections, Edge Only has curated a beautiful collection of three-dimensional geometric pieces for the minimalist in your life. edgeonly.com
AMOC is another beautiful Irish brand inspired by the natural world. Flowing gold and silver give way to sparkling natural gemstones, each with a distinctly Irish feel. amoc.ie
Inspired not only by her studies of jewellery and design but also by her practices in Reiki and Seichim, founder and designer Lyndsey Cavanagh creates pieces that feel truly spiritual. Each piece is designed using ethical and sustainable practices where possible, combining semi-precious stones with celebrated talismans in 14ct to 18ct gold vermeil. Each piece is then cleansed and then energised with Reiki healing symbols – perfect for those who need some healing from 2020. onedamelane.com
A designer and goldsmith for over 16 years, Rachel Swan’s jewellery staples are known for their sophisticated use of finish, balancing organic texture with perfect polishing. From her Marlay Park studio in Dublin, Rachel handcrafts each piece in sterling silver and gold, each telling a story of Irish inspiration. rachelswan.com
Contemporary start-up The Silver Loom was founded just this year by designer couple Izabella and Andrew who wanted to combat Covid-19 with a fresh approach to silver jewellery. From their studio, each piece is handcrafted with care, with the view of making a love story from 2020. thesilverloom.jewelry/jewellery
From her first visit to the National Museum as a child, Dublin native Cara Sturgess has used Irish heritage, history and scenery to inspire her beautifully contemporary pieces. Each piece is conceptualised, sketched, designed and made in Dublin, and the results are some of my favourite Irish-inspired pieces I’ve seen this year. loinnirjewellery.com
Founder of Armoura Stuart McGrath was once a respected sculptor, but after a serious accident left him unable to work on a large scale with stone, he moved his sights to fine jewellery design. Basing his designs on the principals and craftsmanship learnt through sculpture, Armoura’s pieces focus on form, weight, finesse and elegance. armoura.com/
Based in Cork, Anne Marie Reinhold’s fascination with foliage results in her beautiful metalwork creations, scaling these images into wearable art. You can contact her for commissions too, and a small number of her pieces are available at Designworks Cork. annemariereinhold.com
Founder Laoise Leahy established her collection of jewellery initially as a passion project, but since launching in 2018, has grown into a brand to capture special moments for loved ones. These handmade pieces are remarkably commercial, and all focused on making and retaining memories for the wearer. byleahy.com
Whether your icon is David Bowie, Ru Paul or the Golden Girls, Dublin jewellery designer Ciarna Pham can create an iconic tribute through her necklaces and earrings. Kiki Na’s pieces are truly original and unique, and a fabulous way to make a statement about your personality with your accessories. Ciarna’s pieces can be found in Om Diva, the IMMA shop, and she sometimes lists one-offs (like the above Billy Porter) for sale on her website. For commissions, contact her through email. kikinaart.com
Liwu means gift, and these pieces are definitely perfect for their purpose. Using recycled gold and silver, each piece is hallmarked for purity in Dublin Castle, and handmade here in Ireland. liwujewellery.com
Chupi Sweetman’s sparkling creations are a firm favourite here at Image. She tells us that investing in timeless heirlooms is always a good idea – whether it’s a gift for a loved one, or simply recognition for yourself. Her unique, award-winning pieces are inspired by the beauty and magic of Ireland, and are designed to be handed down and loved for generations to come. chupi.com
After nearly twenty years in advertising and eight years in jewellery training, designer Vanessa Murtagh finally took the plunge and launched her own concept design-based jewellery brand. Blending a creative approach with a contemporary style, Vanessa’s pieces are distinctly relatable and wearable for any occasion. vanessaree.com
As well as a clever double meaning (clé as in clay, as well as the Irish word for ‘left’), Clé jewellery’s bright and colourful geometric offerings are the perfect whimsical present to brighten up Christmas. Handmade by left-handed creator Aoife Stapleton, each piece is inspired “by Aoife’s own experiences growing up in the Irish countryside and the sometimes comedic conflicts they create with the modern world.” clestudio.com
From baby items to unique luxury face masks, Abina’s accessories are entirely handmade, and of beautiful quality. What’s more, the label has recently launched a Charity Christmas mask, where €2 from each mask goes to the Make A Wish Foundation – a worthy cause. abina.ie
A woman with many feathers in her cap, the inimitable Nicki Hoyne has now turned her attention towards the perfect camera bags for the Christmas season. Designed by Kilkenny native, the bags use butter soft leather and are made in Spain by master craftspeople, with all materials ethically sourced within Europe. nickihoyne.com
From Wexford, Irish designer Susannagh Grogan began her lifelong love of print when studying at Wimbledon College of Art and developed it over years as a print designer in New York, London and Cape Town, designing for top names such as Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger and Estée Lauder. Now living and designing for her own label in Dublin, her beautiful printed scarves and elaborate sequinned face masks are a huge hit with us at IMAGE. susannaghgrogan.com
Irish-made leather goods are always at the top of my wishlist come Christmas, and this brand has some really interesting takes on the classics. Based in Mullingar, My Name is TED creates luxurious lifestyle leather bags and accessories, including the HandySan, wallets and purses, from fine Italian leather, with free delivery all over Ireland. mynameisted.ie
Handmade by Donegal girls Anna, Lisa and Molly, Mask Your Face is based on sustainable fashion, creating reusable face-masks in beautiful colours and prints. The “If You Can Read This, You’re Too Close” print is a personal favourite. maskyourface.ie
Established in November 2018, M.I.O Prints is a lifestyle and fashion brand with a focus on bold and colourful prints. Founded by lifestyle blogger Florence Olufemi-Ojo, the brand is all about staying true to African roots – using prints popularly known as Ankara and Kente in their hair bonnets, headwraps, robes, and pyjama sets. shop.mouldedinsideout.com
Luxury Irish handbags that are sustainable as well as truly timeless? Sign us up. aoife uses eco-innovative fabrics to create its practical pieces, conceptualised in Ireland and handmade by artisan Italian makers. aoifelifestyle.com
The story behind Donegal brand FVCK CANCER is truly inspirational, and a great way to get the warm fuzzies while doing your Christmas shopping. Founder Luke Skinnader (aged 28) from Donegal, originally set up the brand with his beloved wife Amelia (31) who passed away from terminal cancer in October of this year. Inspired by Amelia’s struggle to find flattering, well-made head coverings during her illness, Luke’s head bands and baseball caps are now worn all over the world. The brand has recently teamed up with Converse Head Office in Boston – Amelia’s favourite brand. fvckcancer.co.uk
Another firm favourite of the team here at IMAGE, Peelo has gone from strength to strength since its launch just this year. Creative director Julie Peelo has worked for 20 years in the fashion industry, and her level of expertise and eye for timeless style shows in each luxury piece in Peelo’s line. peelo.ie
Famous for being the go-to brand for affordable cashmere in Ireland, Lucy Nagle’s collections are always dependable for style, comfort and quality. Each piece is made with 100% cashmere yarn from Mongolia and has effortless, relaxed style its core. lucynagle.com
Based in West Cork, Sharon Rose is a core member of West Cork Crafts, a craft shop in the heart of Skibbereen which showcases the art & craft of people living in the area. She uses yarn from Cushendale Woollen Mills and loves to support Irish wherever possible, which we are a huge fan of. sharonrosedesigns.com
Ekotree specialises in light cashmere accessories in contemporary colour ranges, so you can find something to suit everyone in the family. The entire process is completed in-house in studio, from R+D to knitting, milling and finishing, with each piece made from ‘cone to customer’. ekotreeknitwear.store
A true Irish family business with a lot of heart, Monaghan’s Cashmere not only celebrates its 60th year in business this year, but also the 95th birthday of owner and proprietor Tom Monaghan. Cashmere is truly in Monaghan’s DNA, and their quality products are made to be worn for a lifetime. monaghanscashmere.ie
Made with love for minimalism, WearWith’s luxurious cashmere is available in five neutral colours (black, navy, fawn, light grey marl and oyster), and in a cut that is flattering for every woman, for every season. Made by Dublin-based mother-of-two Karen, WearWith is exactly what the Irish fashion scene needs: well-designed, sustainably made, stylish basics at an accessible price point. wearwith.co
Another well-loved Irish family business, this time run by husband and wife Richard and Elaine Madigan. Together, they share a deep passion for Irish design, luxury and quality, which has led to their love, their family and the Madigan cashmere you experience today. madigancashmere.com
Studio Donegal Woollen Mill, based in Kilcar, Co Donegal, has a longstanding tradition of hand weaving and woollen textiles, dating back to the late 1700’s. Today, Studio Donegal operates its own carding, spinning, hand weaving and garment making, utilising their small business ethos to make stunning heritage creations. studiodonegal.ie
Positivity, self-love and all-round good vibes: All Things Fiona Lily is a breath of fresh air in the streetwear department. Officially launched in March of this year when founder Fiona was forced to close her coffee shop, Fiona’s journey is present in every piece, and her daily affirmations of positivity are a tonic for a year of feeling quite the opposite. allthingsfionalily.com
Renowed for her iconic colourful prints, multi award winning designer Jennifer Rothwell digitally prints and manufactures all her designs in Ireland. From fabulous face masks, head bands and silk prints for both men and women, this is true Irish luxury at its best. jenniferrothwell.com
Founded in 2019, Aoife McNamara’s designs are already a firm favourite among Irish A-listers and influencers, and her message of slow-fashion and using high quality Irish materials is one we can all get behind. Inspired by Ireland’s rich heritage of craftsmanship, Aoife’s wool creations are to die for, as well as her party-ready pieces. aoifeireland.com
Méid is a brand new label but one with which we are already impressed. Méid for you: that’s Méid Denim’s entire vision, creating size-inclusive jeans to suit every Irish body and shape (up to a size 22, with more sizes to be added). There is a true gap in the market for beautiful Irish jeans, and when the pieces are this good, with inclusivity at their heart, we can’t help but love them. meiddenim.com
With over 12 years’ experience in the Irish styling industry, Sinead Keary has now turned her hand to designing her own creations. This capsule collection is designed with a capsule wardrobe in mind, bringing cohesiveness to your style, and pairing outfits together effortlessly. A great one to look at for friends or loved ones looking to restyle themselves from the ground up. sineadkeary.com
Tweeds, wools, knits and tailoring: Triona is everything we love from Irish heritage brands. Denis Mulhern, a fifth-generation hand weaver, began his vision to ensure that the tradition of handweaving would be maintained and preserved. Ten years after the collapse of the local tweed industry, he started a small bespoke tweed company called “Triona” from the front room of the family home, and the rest is history. trionadesign.com
Four Threads, created by Alanagh Clegg during her Graduate year in NCAD, is a minimalist fashionista’s dream. Inspired by a family business of hand crafting, each piece is tirelessly focused on quality craftsmanship, as well as beautiful Irish materials and curated style to last a lifetime and beyond. four-threads.com
One for the person that really has everything, The Tweed Project create handmade, one-off pieces that combine Irish fabrics with modern tailoring for a truly authentic expression of Irish design. The entire collection is made from Irish fabrics, here in Ireland, operating from a small Atelier in Galway and using the finest cuts of Donegal Tweed and Irish linen for production. thetweedproject.com
Routinely featured in Brown Thomas’s renowned CREATE campaign, Grey + Ginger’s colourful and dynamic streetwear is all about individuality. Designer Peter Bradley has a background in the fine art sphere, which is apparent in the line’s thoughtful and unique sweatshirt and t-shirt designs. greyandginger.com
Irish-born luxury designer Katie Ann McGuigan is now based in the UK, and mixing influences and subcultures are where her beautiful collections stem from. Her AW20 line, full of clashing textures, modern layering and old-fashioned silhouettes make for a perfect wardrobe base for the eclectic fashion lover in your life.
Irish brand KDK launched their AW season line earlier this year, with beautiful silk sleepwear, scarves and headbands, as well as vegan leather pouches for all your self-care needs this winter. Led by sisters Dairine and Keira Kennedy, the latest Dreamer collection is inspired by those lazy Sunday morning lounging on the couch (something we can definitely all get behind). kdk.ie
Moon + Mellow’s 100% cotton creations feel like a cloud, and are perfect for providing a bit of comfort during lounging this Christmas season. Down to the smallest details, such as signature cuffs, cotton piping and custom packaging, Mellow + Moon’s loungewear is the stuff of dreams. moonandmellow.com
Another firm favourite, Theo + George designs the perfect loungewear for when you don’t want people to know you’re wearing loungewear. Founded by Katie O’Riordan, Theo + George’s capsule collection of basics, all created with comfort in mind, is exactly what we want to be wearing this winter. theoandgeorge.com
Donegal activewear line FitPink started with a burning desire to make fitness and athleisure wear that was functional, comfortable and flattering – and it certainly lives up to standards. Their leggings and t-shirts have been tested by women at home and in the gym, from body pump classes to 10k runs, to suit every activity and every body. fitpinkfitness.com
A real Irish success story, Gym+Coffee’s community has grown exponentially, with its ethos of Make Life Richer really taking on a new meaning this year. Their gym gear is practical and functional, but the true joy of Gym+Coffee lies in getting outdoors and getting involved. gympluscoffee.com
Why should maternity clothing be boring, frumpy, and totally detached from your personal style? THE POD Collection aims to rail against that outdated notion, and bring pregnant women the clothing they deserve, to feel great for the entire nine months of pregnancy. Beautifully designed dresses in luxurious materials, there’s no excuse not to get glammed up and feel back to yourself during pregnancy. And the best part is that these clothes don’t have to be discarded once you’ve had your baby – the nature of their stretchy silhouettes means you can still don your POD dress afterwards too. thepodcollection.com
GROWN are all about positive change. They are another favourite in Image. Their hoodies are so soft they have to be touched to be believed. Everything they make goes through rigorous life cycle and sustainability auditing because they strongly believe that clothes shouldn’t cost the earth. You can also ‘Gift A Tree’ through their website; for €22-25 they will plant a native tree in Co Wicklow in your name. You can even go and visit it in their forest in Aghavannagh. grown.ie
We normally reserve our love of Pearl Reddington’s Aran creations for ourselves, but this Christmas, the Dublin designer is reserving her knits for the little ones. A limited collection of accessories and babywear will go live tomorrow (16th November) so make sure to set your alarms – I’ve never seen her stock hang around for long. pearlreddington.com