Timeless investment pieces
In a world of fast fashion and mass produced items, it’s important that we support and acknowledge designers here in Ireland that work hard to produce thoughtful and special one of a kind pieces.
One such person is Skibbereen-based ethical designer Alice Halliday who has just launched her new AW19 collection. I’ve known Alice ever since I first started out styling back in 2011 and so I always love to see the different directions that her often ethereal designs take her.
This new ready-to-wear collection called Edge of Nineteen was made exclusively for Atelier 27, which is based in Dublin’s Om Diva and was launched alongside an array of other Irish designers at the Drury Street boutique.
It is also part of the inaugural Makers Market which will run daily until 31 December, so if you find yourself in Dublin between now and then, it’s well worth popping in and it would be a marvellous place to find a special gift for someone or even for a bit of self-gifting which of course we all love.
The Makers Market also brings together 28 other talented and diverse creators from all over Ireland including screen printers, glass blowing artists, organic beauty products and much more which will sit alongside Atelier 27’s permanent Irish design labels.
Alice’s new collection is a testament to all the creative talent we have in this country and she collaborated with Dunmanway-based photographer Christian Haubold of Bridge Mount Photo Studio to create the look book. In fact, it was also Christian who photographed her first capsule collection six years ago and Alice saod of the experience: “I loved the work we created together on that shoot and the collection sold really well, so I thought it would be special to work together again on this new collection.”
I also love how Alice has worked with other Irish labels and boutiques when styling her looks for the photoshoot including underwear from Hot Knickers Lingerie, earrings from Kiki na Art, belt from On The Verge and the coolest footwear from Venus Boutique and Higgildy Piggildy which shows us what we can find on our own doorstep.
Each piece in the collection is totally unique and one-of-a-kind with the designer displaying real attention to detail making them timeless investment pieces. These are pieces that have an editorial edge and would look amazing for special occasions but shouldn’t be kept just for that. Her looks are really brought to life on model Izabelle Balikoti whose strong and graceful poses showcase the wonderful movement in this new collection.
Being someone who doesn’t like to keep anything as Sunday best I feel like the items would make for fantastic layering pieces that you could incorporate easily into your wardrobe. As Alice herself says: “They can be worn as a statement but are also very versatile. They are luxurious garments but you could easily dress them up or down depending on the occasion.”
Alice draws on Stevie Nicks and Grace Jones as some of her influences, the result being a mix of elegant and edgy evening wear all lovingly and ethically produced using reclaimed and vintage materials.
A must for anyone looking for something a little bit different to the usual sequin extravaganza that we see this time of year!