Wardrobe crisis averted: Composer and musical director Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber was filming the new Irish Tenors and Friends series in Bray's Ardmore Studios recently, and was given a Magee suit to wear by stylist Graham Cruz when his suitcase was delayed.
Webber has now taken to the Donegal brand with enthusiasm, saying that he loves its tailoring, and has ordered three more suits from the current collection, including one in tweed. His choice can be viewed in the company's shop in Wicklow Street, Dublin.
Oh deer me
The last thing you expect to see in a chic clothes shop is a full-sized deer standing on a cutting table, but, relax, it's only a stuffed toy. It's there to lure you into Millars of Clifden, which has just taken on a whole new look under the discerning eye of Caroline Joyce, whose Design Platform at the Station House Courtyard in the town is a haunt for the seriously stylish. On a recent visit to Millars, a shop once famous for its tweeds, we fell in love with the Italian linen jackets and lace tops, the papier mache bracelets, the fine-knit grey cable sweaters, and the deep burgundy silk taffeta skirts from French brand, One Step. Joyce now has four shops, including Tutu, for children's wear. While there are those who will lament the passing of Millars's lovely homespun tweeds, Joyce has retained the shop's furnishings, including the old cutting table, the antlers and the bog oak. The new stock will have an emphasis on linens, tweeds and silks, including the eco-friendly Unicorn range by Sophie Rieu.
Cool for kids
Kids from two to 10 years are the target market of McCul, an Irish children's clothing mail order company. The collection includes zany board shorts for boys and ra-ra skirts for girls, and features motifs and graphics taken from Irish myths and legends. McCul is the brainchild of Derek Young, founder of the teenage Sloppy Joe brand. The seven logos include the salmon, the elk, the hound, the oak, the salmon and the boar. The brand is already going down a treat in Galway. "They really get it," says Young. The clothes are not only cute and cool, but hard-wearing and inexpensive. Pink elk T-shirts, for example are €10, ra-ra skirts cost €15, while boys flock print board shorts cost €20 and hound-print T-shirts are €12. Goods are despatched within two days by registered post, with delivery charges from €5. Order online at www.mccul.ie or by phone on 01-5060792.
