Clothing / Concept & Styling: Alice Halliday

With party season in full swing, we are inundated with fashion and style ideas all over the media. But how about looking at what's available around us, right on our doorsteps, and even, in our wardrobes!? Even more importantly we really should be shopping less! But when we do shop, choosing more carefully and sourcing our clothing locally, ethically and more consciously!

There’s just such an amazing array of handmade, Irish made, sustainable and secondhand treasures out there! Why not wear something vintage or try the charity shops for your NYE outfit? I offer a personal styling service to help you find the perfect pieces to suit you. And I also provide outfit rental options, if you don’t want to splash out on something you’ll likely only wear once.

I love styling with locally sourced pieces, I think it's really important that us small businesses support one another. To show you just some of the beautiful handmade and secondhand finds West Cork has to offer, I collaborated with creative photographer Kate Bean to create this magical festive fashion shoot. I really love working with Kate, we always have such fun and lots of giggles! She puts everyone at ease and knows how to capture all those beautiful in-between smiley moments..

For our location, I chose the treasure trove antiques shop 'Mardyke Magpie', on Mardyke Street, in Skibbereen. We enlisted Cork city based Brazilian beauty Grazi Miranda as our model, she’s such a pleasure to work with! I styled Grazi in my own couture creations and accessories, as well as pieces from other local designers, including a bespoke hat by Sanna Inspires from Glengarriff, and cami top by Ali Wheeler at Hot Knickers Lingerie in Clonakilty. I borrowed shoes from Venus Boutique Skibbereen as well as sourcing others in Bantry charity shops. The vintage necklaces were from Mardyke Magpie, the gold North Star Necklace is by Chupi and other jewellery and accessories were found in Skibbereen and Bantry charity shops.

“If you’re still figuring out what to wear this holiday season, make sure your ‘process’ includes borrowing, swapping, renting or shopping second hand… If you are buying new, however, put your hard earned into brands that do the right thing.” Says Clare Press, of Wardrobe Crisis in her conscious Christmas newsletter.

One such designer/maker is my amazing friend Ali Wheeler, with her beautiful little brand Hot Knickers Lingerie. I popped into her pretty studio on Spiller’s Lane, in Clonakilty for a lovely catch up. Ali’s creations are all about comfort and creating a smooth silhouette. Not only do they look gorgeous but they feel amazing on. The fabrics and quality of craftsmanship are top notch too!

“Don’t force your body into underwear that doesn’t fit. Wear a dress or outfit that allows you to eat, drink and be merry. Remember that your clothes shouldn't give you lumps and bumps.” says Ali.

And I couldn’t agree more! The most comfortable garment I own is one of Ali’s black Ava camisoles (which my mama kindly bought me for Christmas last year) It still looks good as new, because I only hand wash it, as recomended. And at €65 for something so elegant, luxurious and versatile, it was worth every cent, and much more! I used it for styling in this shoot, as I wanted to show that it can also be worn as an evening top. It’s my favourite for nights out, I usually team it with a sparkly skirt or high waisted trousers, it’s also fab under one of my scarf tops or shrugs. These cami tops, along with all of Ali’s designs can be made to measure. Check out more on her Instagram feed.

“We are being urged to stop buying so much, and make use of what is already there, rather than constantly shopping for something new. If that means taking the time and care to remake something new out of something old, or the consumers of fashion rediscovering something special hanging in the back of the wardrobe, then saving the planet suddenly seems a little less daunting.”

Writes Tamsin Blanchard in British Vogue’s recent online article ‘How Fashion Is Finally Working To Tackle Climate Change’.

All of my creations are unique, one-of-a-kind or made to order. I lovingly create each one by hand at my home studio in Skibbereen, using reclaimed, vintage and locally sourced materials, as well as found objects. Sometimes I take garments from my archive or from previous collections, and rework them to give them a new lease of life. Most of the pieces in this shoot were made from scarves, which I have found in charity shops over the years. They make great dresses, tops and capes! It’s amazing what you can do with a rectangle of fabric, so many possibilities! I think there’s something really magical about repurposing old things and giving them a new lease of life. It’s a philosophy that I grew up with, for more on this check out my recent feature in The New York Times - A Different Version of ‘Make Do and Mend’ by Sandra Jordan.

Also featured alongside my article was a brilliant piece on Jasmine Hemsley’s take on charity shopping - Thrifts for gifts? Why not? by Susanne Fowler.

“I have a friend who calls it dead man’s clothes. I totally understand,” she said. “You are taking on something that’s imbued with the energy of whoever else wore it. But there are a number of techniques for changing that energy. I use a tuning fork. I wave it around with the intention of clearing away anything that doesn’t serve me. You can do it with intention, or with smudging, like a dried sage ceremony. And of course, you wash it and clean it,” she said. “We know that energy can’t be made or destroyed but we can transfer it or change it.”

Speaking of energy, that brings me to introduce another special creative friend of mine... Sanna Isbister (who’s fabulous hat I used in this shoot) is a Magdalena Energy Practitioner, Meditation Facilitator, Spiritual Artist & Magic Hat Maker based in Glengarriff.

"I am a creator, I like to make things. I stitch, colour, shape, paint, cut, knot, twist, embellish, weave & knit the threads of my dreams & inspiration into physical form. In moments of pure inspiration passion exists, and this passion is the Life force which motivates me to create and give physical expression to my imagination. Each creation, whether it's a magic hat, painting or textile embodies it's own life-force energy and I like to believe this is the hidden gift received when purchasing my work.”

I purchased this magical fedora hat from Sanna Inspires back in February, as an early Valentine’s gift to myself, after seeing her post it on her Instagram. So I popped down to Glengarriff, where she had a little shop at the time. As soon as I put it on, we just knew it was meant for me! I definitely feel transformed when I wear it, like I hold my head higher, I and feel more confident and charged with positive energy. Plus it always attracts so many compliments and admirers! Her hats are available online and can also be made to order. With prices starting at just €95, I think that’s a steal for something totally unique, bespoke and so beautifully handmade!

Adorned with a beautiful Peacock feather, this hat was perfect for the shoot, because my concept was to portray an exotic bird-like lady, who is drawn to jewels and sparkly things. She sneaks around the antique shop, in search of treasures...

I'd wanted to do a fashion shoot at Mardyke Magpie for years, it's one of my favorite local shops, just full of interesting objects. I was thrilled when owner Mathew Clarke agreed to my proposition. With a background in fashion design himself, Matt was enthusiastic about my idea and came up with some great suggestions.

The Mardyke Magpie (MM) came out of the recession back in 2010. The Upholstery business went through a slight decline, so Mathew put up a sign offering barter.

“People started to come in offering bits and pieces of antique furniture, items of interest and general curiosities in exchange for repair work and upholstery. That kept me going, and I guess MM grew organically out of that.”

“I have always been into upcycling, creating new out of old, imagining other uses for stuff, saving old chairs from death at the dump. The inspiration is purely fun, not be to serious, and enjoy the history of what has bought us to this place. As long as what or whoever comes through the door is interesting and has something to offer to someone else this is the magic. That’s what makes it work. People. I am grateful to the Universe, for giving me the space to give back. But SOS Upholstery carries the whole show, without that it’s over.” - says Mathew.

And I too am full of gratitude, for having the opportunity to create and co-create on so many exciting projects. I’m so lucky to work and play with such beautiful and talented souls, we always have a laugh together, while creating magical imagery to share with you all. I hope that it captivates you and provides you with hope and inspiration!

You can find my creations at Om Diva Dublin, Wild Design Killarney & Bauhaus Cork, as well as online here.

I wish you all a relaxing and joyful festive season, and I thank you for all your love and support this past year, and all those before! Remember to have fun with your clothes and stay comfy. A happy & peaceful 2020 to all!

With love,

Alice X

Madame Magpie