Hold the dressing: foodies and fashion

Six food professionals were taken out of their casual comfort zone and chef’s uniforms and redressed in more formal gear. What were their reactions?


Rudd (40, above) is a chef, event organiser, author, TV and radio presenter. "I tend to wear waistcoats quite a bit with jeans, a nice open neck shirt and a sports jacket. I buy mostly from Reiss, Tiger in BTs and Arnotts. This is not something I would normally wear, but I like the details on the shirt collar. I would much prefer to spend money on a dishwasher or a kitchen appliance than clothes. This is a little bit different, but it does make you feel confident and it would make me think about wearing something similar. I love wearing morning suits to weddings and the theatre of getting dressed up." Three-piece suit €680 and shirt €120, both Reiss, jeans €120 and blue Barker brogues €260.

Kevin Thornton

In his 50s, Thornton is a chef and Bauknecht brand ambassador who celebrates 25 years in business this year. His latest book Ethiopian Portraits by Kevin Thornton is a personally printed publication to raise funds for a project in Ethiopia. "I like stuff with a difference – my wife Muriel and son Conor are good at picking clothes for me – Conor (21) and I now share clothes. Kooples jackets fit me well. My mother was a dressmaker and made all our own clothes and the only time after that I had a suit made was a white linen one in Singapore which I never wore because it was too big. I prefer casual clothes and big jumpers – every so often a suit from The Kooples – Paul Smith suits never fitted properly although he makes good casual clothes. I love Lainey's jumpers and still wear ones from years ago. You can make the simplest things elegant that don't have to be expensive." Diesel jeans €195, black Calvin Klein, belt €70, shirt €90 by Paul Costelloe, boots €195 by Oliver Sweeney, tweed jacket Thornton's own.

Jack Kirwan

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The founder of Sprout Foods in 2013 Kirwan (26) sells his cold pressed juices in Avoca in Kilmacanogue, Rathcoole and Suffolk Street. "I rarely wear suits and I don't own one. I like plain, comfortable clothes and as I am never in a formal setting, it is jeans and T-shirts. I am very casual. I'd never wear a Hawaiian style shirt like this unless at a festival. I have a navy Gant jacket that I wear all the time with a Uniqlo tartan shirt and jeans – this outfit felt okay but was very different to what I would normally wear." Blazer €99.95 by Selected Homme, Diesel jeans €145, Penguin Hawaiian shirt €80 and blue suede desert boots by Ted Baker €160

Brad Stoward

Stoward (35) is head chef at Diep Le Shaker. He is an Australian who came to Ireland from Melbourne for a year that turned into 14. "I like jeans and T-shirts, but I will also wear a nice suit – from Tommy Hilfiger or Hugo Boss. I feel different in this, more confident – it is easy to wear and quite comfortable. I work a 12 -hour day five or six days a week in a chef's uniform so when I'm off I just want casual, comfortable wear – so there are not many opportunities to wear something like this." Three-piece tweed suit by Magee €595, shirt €99 by Jacques Britt and grey loafers €115 by Kurt Geiger

Gavin Keogh

In his 30s, the co-founder of Wines Direct, which stocks wines imported directly from producers at prices from €12 to €130 and more. He says 95per cent of wine is consumed within 48 hours. “My style is brown shoes (Ted Baker or Barker), blue or navy jeans (French Connection, Hilfiger or Pepe), blue and white shirts (classic Ralph Lauren) and always a jacket (usually Ted Baker). This linen suit I would wear (I have three linen suits), although I tend to steer away from anything too formal. I like things that make you feel good, but I hope my style will evolve and not stay the same.” Suit €329, shirt €70, both by Gagliardi, brown loafers €140, Kurt Geiger

Niall Harbison

Harbison (34) is a chef, food blogger, entrepreneur and author who works remotely on a laptop writing and managing a team of entrepreneurs and food bloggers. "I am more of a hoodie kind of person and buy usually in the US and different places when I travel. I might wear this for a special occasion. I tend to wear jeans with hoodies and with any luck shirts coming up – anything that's comfortable. I would follow San Francisco and tech companies and a lot more casual way of dressing for work. I might wear this for a sales pitch or maybe a presentation to important clients." Ted Baker tweed jacket €335, trousers €155 and shirt €110, with boots by Oliver Sweeney

All clothes from Arnotts men's department. Styled by Niamh O'Rourke, assisted by Fleur Moriarty, with special thanks to the Stephen's Green Club.

All of those featured here will be taking part in Cook, Bake, Dine, a special food promotion in Arnotts kitchen department throughout April. Full schedule from arnotts.ie