A Gentleman’s Outfitters
I have delved into many family stories here on Ruaruth and now its my turn. My fascination with fashion history and the rag-trade district around South William Street in Dublin was really born from stories of my Grandad’s shop on Exchequer Street.
Tokyo Story
The day I arrived in Tokyo a good friend of mine emailed me to say I should embrace every moment of my adventure and sent me a Buddhist mantra “present moment, wonderful moment” to guide me on my way. I took this mantra to heart on every part of my journey around Japan
Bloomsday Blouses
It is that time of the year again - Bloomsday! This weekend you will see Leopolds’, Mollys’, James’ and Noras’ dressed up about Dublin town on messenger bike rides, on horse and cart, enjoying an offal breakfast in the Gresham or guzzling Gorgonzola and burgundy in Davey Byrnes or wafting around reading passages from Ulysses at …
Shopping in 18th Century Dublin
Where did people buy clothes in 18th Century Dublin? What streets were the most fashionable shops located and were we as stylish as those in London and Paris? I found out the answer to these questions and more at a talk which was held in the Tailor’s Hall one candlelit evening in Dublin’s Liberties.
Emily’s Grandma Quilt
As part of my History Dress series I am always fascinated to hear stories of garments and textiles being handed down through the generations and the stories they tell. Her American textile patchwork quilt is the ultimate heirloom handed down through generations and made with love.
Grafton Academy
The story of The Grafton Academy is the story of one woman’s passion and verve for life which still continues in the ethos of the school today. I met Suzanne Marr- Pauline’s daughter one blustery autumn day at number 6 Herbert Place to hear the history of a remarkable woman and a remarkable school.
Costumes Parisiens
Costume Parisiens is a new fashion exhibition just opened in the Chester Beatty library in Dublin Castle. It showcases fashion plates from 1912-1914 from Journal des Dames et des Modes alongside costume of the time from The Ulster Museum.
Sybil Connolly: In Detail
In July I went a talk about Sybil Connolly in The Little Museum of Dublin by Robert O’Byrne, author of many brilliant books on fine and decorative arts and Vice-President of The Irish Georgian Society. His talk was fascinating, insightful, funny and engaging and made me think even more about Sybil Connolly’s life and work.
Love in Temple House
Temple House has got the love. I was a bridesmaid this summer at my oldest best friends wedding, we know each other since we were 4 years old so this rite of passage was a very special occasion. The location was Temple House in South Sligo.
A Sybil Exhibition
Sybil Connolly queen of Irish fashion in the 1950s reigns again this Autumn/Winter 2013 in Brown Thomas. This excellent exhibition curated by John Redmond of Brown Thomas and the Hunt Museum is a rare opportunity to see her gorgeous gowns and get an up close view of the incredible craftsmanship and unique handkerchief linen pleats she is so famous for.
Heather’s Shawl
My first History Dress feature is about an extraordinary family, an extraordinary Spanish Shawl and an extraordinary person- my best friend Heather Finn.
Forgotten Irish Icons
What is Irish style? Delving into the History of Irish fashion the last number of years this question has always fascinated and flummoxed me.
The Abbey Wardrobe
If you had to get locked in somewhere one of top 5 places would be The Abbey wardrobe department, all those gowns and wigs, masks and bustles, swords and waistcoats, tam-o-shanters and crinolined skirts.