DRESSING THE DISABLED
Anybody who has ever struggled to dress a family member or relative incapable of dressing themselves through illness, disability or with dexterity issues will know how frustrating that is. Now a new Irish company has come up with a range of garments - simple classics - with no buttons, zips, or awkward fastenings, designed specifically to make dressing easier.
Called Adaptability Clothing, it was founded by Maeve Donovan as a result of dealing with elderly relatives suffering from dementia and arthritis. After she found a few pieces in the US that made a vast difference, the idea of starting a range more suited to European style took root. The new range features Velcro easy close jersey tops, easy to wear kimono cardigans (in burgundy, navy or camel), A- line wrap skirts, cotton jersey Breton stripe tunics with snap fastenings along with scarves and wraps. For men, there is a small selection of easy close and polo shirts. Prices start at €35 for scarves, €55 for shirts and skirts and the clothes are also easy care being quick to wash and dry and most needing no ironing. Visit adaptabilityclothing com
RECOVER DISCOVER
Next Friday the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun in a first for Ireland will host a conference on the Circular Economy bringing together Irish and international speakers. Those include Safia Minney founder of People Tree, Dr Dorothy Maxwell sustainability director of Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Selfridges, Vikki Brennan chief executive of Proudly Made in Africa and Jonna Haeggblom of Circular Fashion in Berlin. The conference will hear how the fashion industry can eliminate waste and pollution, and reuse materials rather than send to landfill. The centre itself is its own best advertisement for sustainability and reuse – being housed in what was a state of the art boiler house for the now demolished Ballymun flats. It is as hive of activity with teaching facilities, shop, workshops, cafe, vertical, rooftop and vegetable gardens and waste water treatments. For the conference, tickets which include a light lunch, networking reception and participation in their Make and Take Factory are €45 each and can be purchased on their website.
POP IN TO POP UP
Today is the last day of the Diffusion popup shop (next door to Mary Grant) in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre where Kate Gleeson has assembled some really cool dresses and accessories exclusive to her from a host of lesser known European brands. Summer specials include well shaped linen trousers, easy going separates, wrap dresses in grassy shades, tulle skirts and oversized cotton coats. There are also shoes and sneakers including these Italian leather mules €239. Find more on her website www.diffusion.ie
EARRINGS
Diamond rings may be the engagement choice, but what about earrings? These exquisite earrings are by the Mayo based goldsmith Nigel O Reilly and display his extraordinary craftmanship and creativity. Called Lumiere Diamond Drops, the central diamonds are 2.31ct pear shaped set in 18ct gold. The earrings are set with 110 small white diamonds – which have been set upside down (with the culet or point facing upwards) so as to achieve an unusual sparkle. POA nigeloreilly.com
IRON IT OUT
A new iron safe to use on all fabrics without adjustment has just been launched by Russell Hobbs. Called the One Temperature Iron, it features just one optimum heat that can be used on all ironable fabrics from silk to denim without changing the setting. It avoids burn and scorch marks and carries anti-drip and self-clean functions as well as a safety feature that switches the iron off after 30 seconds without use. It also boasts a 60 per cent smoother glide and avoids those awful burn marks on both the iron itself and on fabrics that can be impossible to remove. It costs €79.99 and can be found nationwide in electrical retailers.
