Clothes lines

Compiled by DEIRDRE McQUILLAN

Stylish way to escape the rain

This umbrella from Marks Spencer (€40) with its black and white decor of heritage symbols, is by Marcel Wanders, the celebrated Dutch interiors and product designer whose work is on show in New York’s Moma and London’s V A museums. Wanders has collaborated with the UK retailer on a series of product designs, from zany scarves and top-stitched satchels and mobile phone cases to Christmas decorations, cufflinks, gloves, socks and felt slippers, all with his unmistakable, zany signature style. The design pattern on the umbrella also features on a luxurious silk scarf (€40).

Knot to be missed

This stylish silk scarf, worn with a dress by Heidi Higgins, is called “The Journey is the Reward” (€180). It is by awardwinning designer Susannah Grogan, who started her own label two years ago. Working from her studio in Dún Laoghaire, she designs, prints and hand finishes her limited-edition 100 per cent silk scarves. They come in strong, vibrant colours, often embellished with fun quotes. Her latest commission is for Ballyfin House in Co Laois. The US owner of Ballyfin, Fred Kreihbel, has asked her to produce three different scarf designs. Grogan’s scarves are stocked in Brown Thomas; Arnotts; the Design Centre; Les Jumelles, Galway; Juju, Greystones and in other selected boutiques around the country. See scarf.ie.

Sweet jacket

When Chupi Sweetman’s crafty, colourful little dresses on sale in the Cow’s Lane market in Temple Bar Dublin attracted the attention of Topshop, their subsequent orders put her sewing machine and her vivid imagination into overdrive. But now, thousands of dresses later, the designer has returned to the Loft Market in Powerscourt Town House and her work has taken a new direction, being more tailored and structured in form, though she still continues to make cute dresses. This limited edition piece, which she calls her “Take Me To Paris” jacket, is typical of her new approach. It’s in cherry herringbone wool, lined in black satin. It costs €89 and comes in sizes small, medium or large.

Irish jeweller makes rings for Sean Penn

The handsome ring in silver and l8ct gold set with rubies and diamonds is one of several made by jeweller Sean Osborne for the actor Sean Penn, star of the movie This Must Be the Place. Osborne, who is one of only two gemologists and diamond graders working in Ireland, has a stellar list of clients including U2, Gavin Friday and artist Pauline Bewick. Penn made various changes and amendments to the designs for the rings he wore in the film. Similar items would cost from around €900-€1,200. Osborne created eight silver rings in total for Penn’s character, a bored, retired rock star looking for his father’s executioner. “Rock stars have totally different taste; their jewellery has to be visible and more theatrical, but behind the scenes, they like subtlety,” Osborne says. He works from studio in Temple Bar, tel: 01-6792902 or 087-2201512.

Coat of arms

Zara is usually on the button when it comes to coats – last year its classy camel coats cut like crombies rather than double breasted were best sellers. This year it is offering more minimalist collarless styles (no make up marks on collars to worry about) as well as seriously cool black and white cocoons. There are always the safe havens with a naval twist such as navy parkas and reefer jackets, but this trim little grey military style coat (right) really cuts it for winter. A grown up winter buy for €99.95.

Object of desire

The exquisite little evening bag is by Cathy White, who specialises in reworking antique silver and gilt frames with vintage fabrics and fastenings. It’s made from 1940s gold lace, finely beaded with pearls and crystals, a vintage brooch and an ormolu beaded handle. The bag is lined in silk and trimmed with vintage braid. It costs €175. It’s part of a collection from 37 small scale designers and craftmakers exhibiting at the annual Winter Fair in Dalkey Castle, organised by Dún Laoghaire Enterprise Board. The fair runs on Saturday Sunday December 12th-13th (from 10am-6pm) in Dalkey Castle and The Design Corner in Dún Laoghaire. Cathy White will be one of nine first-time exhibitors from the region at the fair. See dlrceb.ie.