Real fashion for real people

Real style, by real people, for real people is the theme of a fashion show taking place in Quin next week and organisers of the event have managed to secure a particularly special showpiece for all those interested in fashion.

Kilkenny-based milliner Linda McKay usually designs bespoke hats for her clients but at next Friday’s fashion show in Knappogue Castle, she will launch her first ever ready-to-wear collection.
“Ennis has a great fashion scene going on. I’m accessorising some of the looks at the show with a beret collection featuring five designs and four winter colours,” she reveals.
According to Linda, a hat is a key feature of an outfit.
“A hat just completes a look, be it casual or dressed up. It completes the silhouette. It is the ultimate accessory. You can have a little dress from Penneys and with a hat it completes it. A hat finishes the look and if you choose the right one it frames the face beautifully,” she states.
A further feature of headwear, Linda says, is the variety available.
“All hats are essentially classic but it is how you style them in a funky way that makes them special. People love head pieces so I design a lot of headpieces but I have started going into cocktail hats. For women, their hair is their crowning glory. They want it seen because they have spent money and time on it, so a little cocktail hat looks great and still lets the hair be seen,” she explains.
Linda will be showing her collection of berets in Quin.
“The reason I put the beret range together is that it makes headwear accessible. They are not too expensive and they are classic and they last,” she says.
The show is being co-ordinated by Linda’s friend, Quin resident Mary Moynihan, who believes the event will be unique.
“I wanted to do something a little bit different. The show is all about real people. The models are real people. They are teachers, stay-at-home mums, working mothers and the business community,” she points out.
A further distinguishing factor, according to Mary, is that men’s clothes are also being shown and that all of the boutiques have been limited in the number of outfits they can show.
“The boutiques will each show eight outfits, so I think the impact will be strong on the night. It is about having a night with entertainment and combining that with fashion,” she says.
As well as organising the show, Mary is involved in fashion herself. For the past three years she has run her own business, StyleSecrets, specialising in style consultations and co-ordinating people’s wardrobes.
“In this climate it seems to be something that has really taken off. Normally you think of a stylist as someone elite but in the last three years, I have been looking at wardrobe co-ordination where I recommend to people the pieces that will complete their wardrobe. It is about building a wardrobe that will suit their lifestyle,” she explains.
There was a gap in the market and Mary was eager to fill it.
“I was always complimented for my sense of style and my clothes. I am very fortunate to have a natural eye. I did a lot with my friends and family at first. Then I did some work experience in Limerick and Ennistymon. After that I went to the Irish Consultants Institute and I did some training with them. I really discovered then that I was way ahead. The other eight in the class were struggling but I had it naturally. I came home and decided to do a website and StyleSecrets was formed,” she recalls.
Mary shares her advice for women who want to improve their wardrobe without a huge investment.
“People should organise and streamline their wardrobe. It is important to streamline it into sections separating lifestyle from daytime and daytime from night time. Sometimes investing in a few small things may not seem like much but those few things can make a huge difference,” she believes.
Mary believes that fashion shows are great for giving people ideas in terms of co-ordination and accessorising.
A selection of boutiques from around the county will display their pieces on the night as well as designers Mairéad Neill, Linda Wall and Linda McKay, Couture Milliner.
Among the boutiques taking part are County Boutique, Annett’s, Lahinch Classics, Kymari, Bermay, Nozomi Shoe Boutique and Fraya, as well as Club Dangan and The Mix.
Frances Reynolds Beaded Jewellery, Martin Murphy Photography, Desert Diamonds, Ariston College, Blankets 4 Us, Marcos Shoes and Seoidin will all exhibit on the night.
The show will take place at Knappogue Castle on Friday, October 16 at 7pm. Proceeds from the show will go towards building new dressing rooms for the Scoil na Mainistreach pitch in Quin.