Boxing clever: How do you wrap yours?

Don’t reach for that roll of Christmas paper ... we asked eight designers to wrap a present in their own festive style to inspire you. If you'd like to purchase one of these boxes, head to The Irish Times Christmas Fair this Sunday 13th Dec.

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AMANDA PRATT – designer and former creative director of Avoca, who’s now involved in setting up a new retail space in Scotland. Her love of treasure hunting for special finds defines her imaginative, exuberant and colourful approach to design: “As it is Jesus’s birthday, all he ever wanted to get across was to love others and ourselves. Love (“amo”) and peace (“pax”) resonate with me – Amo will be the name of my first new business.”

ELEANOR HARPUR – a print and textile graduate of NCAD and interior stylist whose clients include Brown Thomas, Dulux, and Conran: “I love wrapping presents in a fun and creative way, generally using bits of props left over from a shoot. It builds a little bit of anticipation and helps take the focus off of what might be a ‘less than perfect’ gift. Anything that raises a smile is worth doing.”

HELEN JAMES – textile designer, foodie and blogger and founder of the Considered Collection of homewares for Dunnes Stores is known for her stylish approach to everything around her. Her love of photography and styling comes together in this box: “I like to use real satin ribbon, which can elevate any paper to luxury status. I also like to print out paper from photographs of textures or flowers. Little bell decorations means the box also makes a sound that appeals to my inner child.”

HELEN STEELE – artist and designer known for her colourful and flamboyant printed fabrics and ‘wearable art’ produced in a converted duck factory in Monaghan: “I painted this wrapping with duck feathers, so it was quite messy, but I have done quite a few corporate gift wrapping and decorations on hand-painted canvas, including a Christmas tree for the Dylan Hotel with hand-painted ornaments, canvas chains and fake Christmas boxes. That was very therapeutic.

RUTH NÍ LOINSIGH – founder of Om Diva, on Drury Street has just opened her second shop at 19 Upper Stephen’s Street, Dublin, a retail and creative space for young fashion graduates with vintage fashion and accessories: “This is a magnified version of the wrapping we do in the shop, though I went a bit overboard with the ribbon! Wrapping is a finishing touch that makes something special, and little pink parcels recreate that childish excitement of not knowing what’s inside.”

Fri Dec 11 2015 - 14:43

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Boxing clever: How do you wrap yours?

Don’t reach for that roll of Christmas paper ... we asked eight designers to wrap a present in their own festive style to inspire you. If you'd like to purchase one of these boxes, head to The Irish Times Christmas Fair this Sunday 13th Dec.

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