Online shopping and mega malls can never duplicate the service, courtesy, and welcome familiarity of the best boutiques, where they know what you like and might even keep you in mind when doing their buying. CIARA ELLIOTTlists a few of her favourite shops around the country
GALWAY
Design Platform Frequent visitors and locals flock to this stylish boutique, which stocks labels such as Annette Görtz and Noa Noa, as well as specialist French labels such as Lillith. Nestled off the street, in the courtyard of an adjoining hotel, this is one of those surprising little places that once stumbled upon is never quite forgotten. Address: The Station House Courtyard, Clifden, 095-21526, designplatform.ie
The Design House You might not expect to find high-end fashion in the middle of an out-of-town shopping centre, but the Design House in Barna is just the place to pick up something quirky or different. Really good on customer service – this is the place to go for wedding and occasion wear – it scores highly in knitwear and casuals, too. Designers stocked include Brian Tucker, John Smedley, One Step and Penny Pull. Address: Barna Village, Galway, 091-596000, designhousebarna.ie
LEITRIM
Kabuki All gilt mirrors and luxurious changing rooms, Kabuki’s Parisian atelier-style doesn’t disappoint when it comes to what’s on offer. Not only is proprietor Louise Merrick extremely knowledgeable and helpful, the buying is impressively diverse, with J Brand jeans, Notte by Marchesa dresses, Philip Treacy hats and Ash shoes all under one roof. Address: Unit 6, The Courtyard, Carrick-on-Shannon, 071-9616505, kabuki.ie
WICKLOW
The Goddess Room There are good vintage stores and second-hand shops and then there is the Goddess Room in Greystones, which gets such amazing feedback on the customer front we had to give it a mention. Best known for its bridal wear, of which it has an amazing selection from 1950s cocktail to Victoriana, it also stocks lots of nice vintage bits by Armani, YSL and Christian Dior. Address: Meridian Point Shopping Centre, Church Road, Greystones, Wicklow, 01-2016591
CORK
Pebbles Want a striped sailing top or an Aran sweater? From breezy Irish linen to soft cosy knits by local designers, this is one of those cute little fashion bolt holes that is big on utility as well as style, and is very much loved by its loyal customer base. Address: Main Street, Schull, 028-28165
Samui It’s very difficult to pinpoint just one must-do boutique in Cork but the standout has got to be old-favourite Samui. It is always heavy-hitting on designer exclusives, and this season, with offerings from Carven and Opening Ceremony, it has outdone itself. Other labels include Paule Ka and Alberta Ferretti.
Address: 17 Drawbridge Street, Cork, 021-4278080
WEXFORD
La Crème Owner Marian McKenna left her career in nursing to follow her dream of opening a shop and now runs this impressive occasion-wear boutique, which gets incredible feedback from customers in terms of its personal service. With very insightful and highly trained staff, its personal shopping days are famous in the area. Address: Esmonde Street, Gorey, 053-9480308
Ruby Rouge Just up the street from La Crème, and styled like a large Alice in Wonderland dolls’ house, we had to mention this shop, which has a hardcore fan base of more than 11,000 on its Facebook page. It has a cutesy, girly edit of labels such as Manoush, Darling and Vivienne Westwood, with clothes to suit women of all ages. Address: 16 Esmonde Street, Gorey, 053-9484722, rubyrouge.ie
LAOIS
Heidi Higgins Fast gaining a reputation for being Ireland’s answer to Victoria Beckham, with her amazing range of dresses that just get better and better, this designer’s simple boutique is definitely worth a pop-in or detour. Address: Heidi Higgins Studio and Boutique, No 27 Church Street, Portlaoise, 057-8689027
WATERFORD
Muse With an already impressive line-up of designers which includes Acne, Marc by Marc Jacobs, McQ and Halston Heritage, for autumn/winter the ambitious owner-duo of Laura Ellis and Clodagh Roche are introducing Beyond the Valley and Ibiza-based Swedish designer Sasha Moon. A complete one-off for Waterford. Address: 92 The Quay, Waterford, 051-854448
KILDARE
LEIXLIP: Pa Lua At the heart of proprietor Paula Corbett’s vision is a shop that looks to classic, well-cut clothes above big designer names. In a county that has the pick of designer boutiques, this one stands a head above for its customer service and good entry price points. Address: Main Street, Leixlip, Co Kildare, 01-6242711, paluaboutique.ie
Divine Boutique This is the second store for owner Mary Greene, who opened in Malahide, Co Dublin five years ago. It is the go-to store for glamorous, splashy clothes at decent prices. New labels for this season include Mink Pink and Olivia Rubin. Address: Unit 3, Manor Mills Shopping Centre, Maynooth (also in Malahide, Dublin), 01-6292550
CARLOW
Elaine Curtis Like so many of the impressive boutiques that mushroomed in the noughties, Elaine Curtis opened 10 years ago to an eager clientele. This shop has also done wonders for Irish designers, supporting names such as Tim Ryan and Joanne Hynes. Definitely worth a nosy if you are in the area or, if not, it has a new website launching in September. Address: 122 Tullow Street, Carlow, 059-9141790
WESTMEATH
Khan The ever-inspirational Deryn Mackay opened her first Khan boutique in Blackrock more than 17 years ago, just at the cusp of the wave of change in Irish fashion. She hasn’t lost her buying edge since. Just in for the new season is the delectable range of separates by Paul by Paul Smith. Address: 27 Dominick Street, Mullingar (also Blackrock, Co Dublin), 044-9396908
LOUTH
Eden Located over three floors in a beautiful 19th-century house, the recently revamped Eden goes beyond the usual remit of destination boutique. There are designer candles, beautifully edited children’s wear and wonderful ideas for gifting. New brands include Bolongoro Trevor (by the original founders of the All Saints label). Address: First Floor, 90 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, 042-9386739, edenireland.com
LIMERICK
Kimono Opened in 2003 by savvy local Ailish Mullane, this shop has a lovely range of labels and is set in really spacious, pretty surroundings with views of the river and church. New for this season are beautiful prints by Tucker (a favourite of Kirstie Allsopp) and dresses by London label Suzannah. Mullane opened in 2005 in Charleville and now divides her time between the two stores. Address: North Quay, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick (also in Charleville, Co Cork), 069-78820
LIMERICK
Tippe Canoe This shop is known for supporting local designers, and the latest names to come on board are local designer Clare Slattery (great quality suits and outfits made to measure) and Agnes Rozsnyai (who trained at art college before working at Prada and then returning to Limerick). It also stocks local milliner Aisling Maher’s pieces, which were bought by Catherine Zeta-Jones and have now gone international. Address: 25 Thomas Street, Limerick, 061-405345
DUBLIN
Bow and Pearl If there’s one boutique that’s getting a lot of air-time right now in Dublin it’s Bow and Pearl in Ranelagh, which has the look of a New York shop – one of the designers behind the re-fit used to work for Anthropologie – and the labels to match.
Opened just last year, the customer feedback is excellent. Definitely worth a pop-in. Address: 13 Ranelagh Village, Dublin 6, 087-1502266, bowandpearl.com
Clothes Peg North Dublin suburban shops don’t get much more impressive than Clothes Peg, which has been going strong for 25 years and has an incredibly loyal customer base. With labels such as Paul Smith, Jasmine Di Milo and Sphere One on its rails for autumn, this is one Dublin gem that’s always worth a new-season look. Address: Sutton Cross, Dublin 13, 01-8321130
Marian Gale Those in the market for a debs dress will probably know all about specialist boutique owner Marian Gale, who keeps a note of the school that every girl who buys from her goes to so as to make sure there are no double-ups. Incredible customer service, and great feedback on its occasion wear – which includes mother of the bride and bridal party too. Address: 8a The Mall, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, 01-2697460, mariangale.ie
