Clothes lines

Compiled by DEIRDRE McQUILLAN

This being the gardening issue of the Magazine, whenever I think of how to cut it (style wise, that is) in the herbaceous borders, this image below, taken by Valerie Finnis, comes to mind.

The woman in question with the parrot-bill loppers is Lady Birley, the widow of Sir Oswald Birley, a society painter who lived at Charleston Manor in Sussex. Before her marriage she was Rhoda Pike, a celebrated Irish beauty whom Birley painted many times, according to Ursula Buchan in her book Garden People. Look at the gear – the leaf-green and delphinium-blue cardigans, the earthy cords, the net and the tilted straw topper – and how about those embroidered slippers? All the colours she’s sporting reflect those around her.

Garden People by Ursula Buchan, Thames Hudson, €22.40

Sweetness in flight

Chupi Sweetman has forgone making the cute little inexpensive dresses that have sold in their hundreds from Cow's Lane to Topshop, where she was the youngest designer taken on by the British high-street chain. Instead, she has turned her creative hand to jewellery, tutored by master silversmith Cormac Cuffe. Among her first imaginative pieces is this little wren in 18-carat gold vermeil (sterling silver plated with gold). It costs ¤89 and is available from the Loft Market in Dublin's Powerscourt Centre and on chupi.ie.

BOUTIQUE OF THE WEEK Dolls, Dublin 8

Since it opened in a renovated Victorian corner shop on Emorville Avenue off the South Circular Road in Dublin, Dolls has become one of the city’s cult fashion and food destinations and one of my favourite places. It is beloved of local 30-somethings who come here for companionable coffees or to view owner Petria Lenehan’s latest crop of tempting attire. It has also developed a reputation for its food in the adjoining Bibi’s Cafe courtesy of Petria’s sister Maisha, a talented chef. Both sisters are creative in their own ways and their standards are high. Petria designs and sells her own line, but also has an eye for interesting international fashion and accessory labels. Bargains currently in the sale include a blue and orange shift dress by Sessun, down from €180 to €90, as well as some quirky jewellery, hats and leather  satchels. Dolls, 14a Emorville Avenue, Dublin 8; 01-4736256; dollsboutique.ie