bags of styleIf you thought that Wilbur and Gussie sound like names you'd give a cat or dog, you'd be right, writes Deirdre McQuillan
It's also a range of classy bags created by two friends, Brett Tyne and Lucy Lyons, who decided to call them after their much-loved pets - Wilbur, Lucy's cat and Gussie, Brett's terrier. The bags are given much the same careful proprietorial attention and come in three shapes, an envelope-style clutch, a rounded shape to fit under the arm and a larger rectangular clutch with a deep gusset.
What marks them out are two things; the use of beautiful couture fabrics such as printed silks or tweeds and ornate crystal brooch or buckle fasteners. Whether on plain green silk or on a cheeky poodle print, the brooches certainly make statement centrepieces on these evening bags. Clutches are €185 and can be found in Seagreen, the lifestyle shop in Monkstown, Co Dublin. Seagreen is also the sole stockist in Ireland of the handsome and hip Botkier bags from the US (costing around €600).
fringe benefitYoung Irish designers should note that the deadline for the Fashion Fringe competition, which searches for new talent in the UK and Ireland, is April 27th. Tom Ford will be honorary chairman of the committee this year, and 10 semi-finalists will be selected to go to London in May for interviews. Four will then be selected to produce their collections during the summer. They will be shown during London Fashion Week in September, when the winner will be announced. See www.fashionfringe.co.uk
drawing by designFashion illustration may be about to enjoy a revival as the recent success of Irish designer Sorcha Ó Raghallaigh indicates. A graduate of Limerick School of Art and Design, she came third in last year's Nokia Young Designer of the Year competition. When her ethereal illustrations were showcased in August at Birr Arts Week, they sold out within two days.
Since then, private commissions from stores such as Oasis and Whistles have been funding her further education in London at Central St Martins. The 22-year-old designer from Birr is to have her second solo show at the Monster Truck Studio in Francis Street, Dublin, from May 17th to 22nd, called Wait a Minute, Where's me Jumper?