Irish Design Spotlight: Begley & Bowie

Tell us about your brand/business
Begley & Bowie is an art and fashion brand that I set up in 2019. I am an illustrator and screen printer and I work primarily with vibrant colours and eco-friendly pieces. I run my own shop in Kenmare, Co. Kerry and I also have a design studio. Through the design studio, I work on commissions and design for other brands and businesses including clothing for Adare Manor Hotel, Dromoland Castle Hotel, the National Gallery of Ireland and fine art prints with a recent collab with April & The Bear in Rathmines to name a few. I have just launched my new collection which is more of a reflection of my own personal style and is based on Irish linens and printed textiles.

What is your mission?
I believe in the power of colour and print and feel art and clothes can be empowering and create great joy. All of my illustrations and illustrated clothing pieces tell a story and have great meaning with intricate details.

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?
Yes, from a young age I loved art and anything creative from fashion to interiors. I was always drawing and my mom would take me to different galleries and to classes in the Crawford Art Gallery. I originally studied interior design and then teaching, but I had this desire to return to art/design and had a clear vision of what I wanted to create for years.

What kind of items do you stock?
I stock screen prints and illustrations. In terms of fashion, up until now, Begley & Bowie has been predominantly based around casual wear. My new collection features sweatshirts but the core collection is based on linen dresses, tops, trousers, shorts and bomber jackets… there’s a mix of both casual and formal wear and the range can be mixed and matched.

What new items or brands are on your radar?
I love all things Khaite, so one of their day pyjama pieces, or Destree – I love everything in their Paris store.

Was money/ funding a concern when starting out?
Begley & Bowie was many years in the planning before I launched so I had saved, but money is always a concern. You need it to expand and help with the day-to-day running of a store.

Best business advice you have gotten?
When you start out, your ideas can get copied and I tend to turn to my sister for advice. She told me, “Well if you are good they will copy you but if you are really talented you should be working on your next idea while they are working on your old one.” I loved that and ever since then, I just focus on my own work.

Favourite fashion/ design accounts you follow?
I follow a mix of fashion/ interiors/ art/ flowers/food accounts and it can change weekly. At the moment, I love Julia Sarr-Jamois, Mira Mikati, Collagerie, Liat Baruch, Stine Goya, Elizabeth Cope, Willow Crossley Creates, Kit Kemp Design Studio, Rita Montezuma, Molly Mahon Block Printing, Sofia Richie and Tart London.

Best fashion purchase?
I treasure all of my Stine Goya pieces and my gold Kindred of Ireland coat.

Other Irish brands you love?
Simone Rocha, Hope Macaulay, Sorcha O’Raghallaigh, Helen Steele, Natalie B Coleman.

Most useful learning since setting up a brand? 
Time management and I’m still learning how to do it.

Proudest moment so far?
I have had some lovely moments since setting up Begley & Bowie from being invited to take part in Create at Brown Thomas for the last two years to being nominated for a Creative Award at the VIP/ Empowering Women Awards before Christmas.
I get to work with and design for dream clients including Adare Manor Hotel, Dromoland Castle Hotel, Trump Doonbeg, the National Gallery and I am currently working with so many more. This brings me the greatest joy as I tend to go into my own world when designing and thinking of ideas for each commission, seeing some beautiful hotels and venues and reading up on their histories. In November I was awarded the Rising Star Award at the IDI Awards for my design studio work and it was the loveliest pinch-me moment since launching.

I want my brand to be remembered for… a lot of my customers speak of the joy Begley & Bowie colours brings which is just so lovely to hear, particularly after the difficult few years people have experienced since Covid. As I design a lot of clothing based on favourite places, I receive emails from customers around the world treasuring these mementoes. Once my designs bring happiness, I’m happy!

If I could have anyone wear my designs, it would be… I would have to say Irish artist Elizabeth Cope as I adore her work and her outlook on art and life. I also love Sienna Miller and everything she wears so probably her too!

Photography by Doreen Kilfeather