Design Loft @ Powerscourt Estate

Design: 1. Triona McCarthy and Aisling O'Loughlin; 2. Emer O'Leary of Me & Emee.  (Pix. AE)

Shopping for beautiful hand-crafts and original Irish design, from jewellery and accessories to home-wares, takes an interesting twist this month with the opening of The Design Loft @ Powerscourt Estate, an exciting new retail concept.

The brainchild of entrepreneur Sinead Buckley Quinn, the spectacular gallery at Powerscourt House, Co. Wicklow, will house a collection from ten different local designers, artists and makers each month in a ‘rotating pop-up shop’.

The store was officially opened by Senator Feargal Quinn, who spoke about his passion for retail and praised the new business venture.  He was presented with a gift of Killiney Arts bone china, created by artists Simon Hoe and Blaithin Quinn, who are among the initial artists ‘in residence’ at The Design Loft.

Among the guests were Aisling O’Loughlin of TV3, with her young son Patrick.  She lives on the grounds of the nearby Kilruddery House and was looking forward to the Groove music festival that was taking place at the historic estate.  Triona McCarthy attended with her mother Margaret, they also didn’t have far to travel as they were enjoying a relaxing break at Druid’s Glen.

Milliner Sarah McGahon was there and is one of the designers stocked.  Sarah Slazenger, whose family own the Powerscourt Estate, welcomed the new addition to the house.  She manages the 1,000 acre estate and is responsible for the ongoing development and growth of the business.

The retail offering at the Design Loft is carefully selected with quality design and originality paramount in the selection process. Designers will also regularly be on hand to meet visitors and discuss their work.

www.designloft.ie

 

Upper Baggot Street

Village people: 1. Charlie Chawke and Nicola Williams; 2. Grainne Murphy and Cyril McAree; 3. Johnny and Maeve Plower. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

The Upper Baggot Street area of Dublin is synonymous with writers and artists and now too as a dynamic and thriving hub of retail businesses and professional services supported by financial institutions.  Traders in the area hosted a celebratory dinner at the beautiful Dylan Hotel to launch their newly formed Association.

Proving a long established fact that opening a new business during a recession is not only possible but successful, the last year has seen more than a dozen new businesses open in this historic area, and enjoying successful trading, bucking a national trend. Along with existing businesses reporting an upsurge in trade, a small group of traders and business decided to form an Association calling it The Village at Upper Baggot Street to help strengthen and unify activities and services to benefit all traders which in turn benefits the locale and its customers.

Special guest at the inaugural dinner is Charlie Chawke who has reopened Searson's which lay vacant for over a year.  Charlie had previously bid on the establishment some 20 years ago so this is a personal and business win for him.

Association chairperson Nicola Williams of Bergins auctioneers is supported in her efforts by a panel of representatives from the area, including Karen Kirby, of AIB, Oonagh O'Hagan of Meaghers Chemists, Catherine Doyle of Donnybrook Fair, Róisín Ní Mhórdha of Impression PR, and Maeve Brocklesby of Weirs.

Khan Do

Khan Do: 1. Isabelle Traber; 2. Rachel and Deryn Mackay; 3. Suzanne Jordan. (Pix. Kieran Harnett)

Khan in Blackrock, Co Dublin, one of Ireland's leading designer boutiques, has just completed a six-week intensive expansion and refurbishment project. Khan is now twice its original size - a spacious 900 sq ft of retail space, after knocking through to the unit next door.

With the help of Bill Simpson, ex Brown Thomas Interior Designer, the overall minimalist Khan "look" is still dominant throughout. The new Shoe Studio displays fabulous boots and shoes from iBlues, Robert Clergerie, Schumacher and Hoss, while the accessory area overflows with great hats, jewellery, scarves and bags.

Deryn Mackay opened her first Khan in Blackrock in 1994 and then, her second in Mullingar, Co Westmeath in 2007. "You discover pieces here, often the missing link to an outfit you already had, as well as new head-to-toe possibilities," says Deryn.

"I believe in sourcing the best of Irish and International designers. Roisin Linnane, Rachel Mackay and Lucy Murphy are such great Irish designers who my customers just can't get enough of, mixed with Matthew Williamson; Annette Gortz and Rene Lezard make the perfect shopping destination for women who want a dress for workplace, party or playtime."

Absolutely Wicklow

Absolutely wonderful: 1. Jenny Kelly and Lynne Baillie Robinson; 2. Tracey O’Brien and Sarah McGahon; 3. James Carroll and Aud Baillie. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)

To the Garden County for the launch of Absolutely Wicklow, a new brand for handmade contemporary design and craft exclusively fashioned in County Wicklow. Absolutely Wicklow combines a website, www.absolutelywicklow.ie, and a retail store in Bray – Absolutely Wicklow Retail that will feature 15 of the finest contemporary design and craft makers in the region.

In the beautiful and elegant surrounds of Clermont House, Rathnew, guests including TV chef Catherine Fulvio enjoyed a classic afternoon tea as they heard about the new initiative and met those involved. Among the 15 chosen designers include milliner Sarah McGahon who has designed for Lady Gaga and Amy Huberman, wood crafter Chaim Factor whose work can be seen in Trinity College, The Four Courts and Dail Eireann and Cillian Johnston whose revolutionary new lamp design is awaiting patenting.

Absolutely Wicklow is a showcase for the plethora of high quality, handmade design in Wicklow including milliners, homeware creators, jewellers and ceramicists and is an initiative of Wicklow County Arts Office supported by Wicklow County Enterprise Board and Bray Town Council.