“A stunning shop tells a story. It’s a carefully edited emporium that reflects the shopkeeper’s unique character and vision,” says Paula Flynn of TheShopkeepers.com. In an era dominated by online shopping, nothing replaces the singular joy – the surprise and delight – of shopping in real life. Discover THE GLOSS X The Shopkeepers Best Womenswear Boutiques 2024 …
HELEN McALINDEN, 19 Drury Street, Dublin 2
Irish designer HELEN MCALINDEN has opened a new boutique on Drury Street, Dublin 2. Founded in 2001, the brand is known for its elegant and timeless womenswear, all designed by Helen who believes that women should never have to compromise on quality or style. www.helenmcalinden.com / www.instagram.com/helen_mcalinden/
99b CONCEPT STORE, 99b Rathgar Road, Rathgar Village, Dublin
A shop that showcases not only beautiful clothing, textiles and ceramics but also prioritises sustainability, ethical production practices and the preservation of traditional crafts. 99b CONCEPT STORE celebrates the timeless elegance of Irish craftsmanship with the innovative spirit of Swedish, French, Spanish and Finnish design. www.99b.ie / www.instagram.com/99b_concept_store/
FOLKSTER, 11 South William Street, Dublin 2
Founder of FOLKSTER, Blanaid Hennessy opened her first store in Kilkenny in 2008. Since then she has gone on to open in different locations around Dublin, before landing in her current home on South William Street. Stocking everything from clothing and jewellery to homewares, this is a perfect shop for Christmas gifts. www.folkster.com / www.instagram.com/shopfolkster/
ECRU STUDIOS, Westbury Mall, Dublin 2
After successful pop-ups in the past year, Karen and John Redmond’s fashion and lifestyle store ECRU STUDIOS has found a permanent home in the Westbury Mall. Discover womenswear clothing and accessories as well as home decor. www.ecrustudios.com / www.instagram.com/ecrustudiosdublin/
BEAUTIFUL SOUTH, Swan Centre, Unit 3D Castlewood Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Grainne Wynne’s BEAUTIFUL SOUTH in Rathmines stocks an elegant and exciting mix of Irish and international labels. Find Ros Duke cashmere, Cleo Prickett tailoring, Eudon Choi separates, Daki Daki jewellery, Aoife Lifestyle bags and Alohas shoes. Think cool architect aesthetic – beautifully cut, restrained pieces with minimal detail and a contemporary edge. www.instagram.com/beautiful.south/
COSTUME, 2, 10/ 11 Castle Market, Dublin 2
The Tucker sisters, Tracy and Anne, have been steering the COSTUME ship for almost 20 years (the shop itself is 27 this year!) and it has been consistently brilliant, ahead of the fashion curve and abreast of everything on the runway with a bias towards elegant-with-an edge clothes we really want to wear. They did Isabel Marant first! Zadig first! Yves Salomon first! The phrase “unerring eye” is a little staid to describe the Costume approach to buying. This season check out in particular Soeur, Les Ottomans, Rupert Sanderson and Markus Lupfer. www.costumedublin.ie / www.instagram.com/costumedublin/
ELECTRA, 16 Donnybrook Road, Dublin 4
French Girl style has a home and it’s ELECTRA, in Donnybrook. Owner Sadbh Fahy, who lived in Paris for years, is the perfect poster girl for the look. From Vanesso Bruno to APC, Christian Wijnants to Isabel Marant, Maison Kitsune, to Forte Forte, pieces are classic yes, but with a contemporary cut, with an ever-present soupçon of sexy. Look out for Astier de Villatte ceramics and Aurélie Bidermann and Ginette NY jewellery. www.electra.ie / www.instagram.com/electra_dublin/
EMPORIUM KALU, South Main Street, Naas East, Kildare
EMPORIUM KALU has been stocking innovative designers including Vivetta and Vivienne Westwood for over 20 years. The duo are known for their edit of beautiful, boundary-pushing occasionwear. Run by Louise Flanagan and Kate O’Dwyer, Kalu is for the fashion-conscious who want original artistic pieces. This boutique is a must-visit. www.emporiumkalu.com / www.instagram.com/emporium_kalu/
ENVOY OF BELFAST, 4 Wellington Street, Belfast, Co Antrim
Timeless and understated, ENVOY OF BELFAST’s selection of clothing and accessories are chosen for their distinctive quality of design, fabric, and craftsmanship. Clothes that have the ability for the wearer to create their own look, rather than the clothes defining the individual. Owner Ruth Spence selects pieces from international brands in Europe, Japan, and the USA. www.envoyofbelfast.com / www.instagram.com/envoyofbelfast/
FRAN + JANE, 2A Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Step inside this brilliantly merchandised boutique and find treasure after treasure, from Tara Jarmon dresses and suits to a whole shelf of soft, slouchy joggers and hoodies by Studio Parisien, alongside well-priced knits, Rains weatherproof coats, good jeans, excellent cashmere, blouses and accessories. Ask Jane to help you, she’s a brilliant eye on the trends, and will translate them for your body shape. www.franandjane.com / www.instagram.com/franandjane/
GALLERY 9, Sallins Road, Naas East, Naas, Kildare
Few leave GALLERY 9 empty-handed, such is the range of designers and styles (including Saloni, Stella Nova, Stine Goya and Self Portrait). From clothing and accessories to jewellery, owner Niamh McCoy’s taste is impeccable. Look out for printed co-ords by Copenhagen brand Munthe, minimalist cool-girl jackets and sweatshirts from Anine Bing and GLOSS favourite Gia Couture shoes. www.gallery9.ie / www.instagram.com/gallery_9_concept_store/
HAVANA, 2 Anglesea House, Donnybrook Rd, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
Ireland’s edgiest fashion destination, HAVANA has been the first port of call for women seeking conceptual fashion for thirty years. Stocking avant garde Irish and international designers, Nikki Creedon, as prescient about trends and how Irish women want to wear them as ever, says statement skirts and outerwear are a focus for autumn. Colour comes via bags and accessories. www.havanaboutique.ie / www.instagram.com/havanaboutique/
KHAN, 15 Rock Hill Blackrock, Dublin
Celebrating 30 years in business, KHAN is an integral part of Blackrock’s thriving village culture. Its loyal cohort of clients return each season to update their wardrobes with Mackay’s focused edit of brands which includes Paul Smith, Fabiana Filippi, Annette Gortz and Irish designers Roisin Linnane and Lainey Keogh. www.khan.ie / www.instagram.com/khan_blackrock/
LOUISE KENNEDY, 56 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2
Award-winning, internationally recognised Irish designer, LOUISE KENNEDY has created a luxury lifestyle brand. Her elegant flagship store on Dublin’s Georgian Merrion Square is an appropriately gracious home for her collection of beautifully made, timeless clothes, jewellery, and accessories. www.louisekennedy.com / www.instagram.com/louisekennedyofficial
OM DIVA, 27 Drury Street, Dublin 2
Ruth Ní Lionsigh is a dynamo with a generous appetite for nurturing young talent and creativity. It’s difficult to pass OM DIVA’s extraordinary window – inside is a vibrant mix of new designs and vintage pieces which work together to create a pretty, fey aesthetic with a subtle, punky edge. Sure, Drury Street isn’t a village, but between Loose Canon wine shop, Kaph café and the other independent retailers, it sure feels like one. www.omdivaboutique.com / www.instagram.com/omdivaboutique/
PLEASE DON’T TELL, 675 Lisburn Road, Belfast
“I focus on shapes, fabrics and interesting accessories,” says Ann Donaldson shopkeeper, of her personal style, which she defines as “cool classic”. Her boutique on Belfast’s buzzy Lisburn Road is where you’ll find unfussy trenches from Joseph and oversized corduroy suits from luxury brand Cawley Studio. “This season don’t wait until Christmas to wear your sequins,” says Ann, who will pair hers with a white tank by Dorothée Schumacher. www.pleasedonttell.ie / www.instagram.com/_pleasedonttell/
SAMUI, 17 Drawbridge Street, Cork
Foodies visit the English Market; women who love fashion visit Clodagh Cronin’s store SAMUI. Clodagh’s collection has a strong rootstock of iconic designers like Rick Owens and Dries van Noten and Acne Studios, onto which is grafted an evolving, season-by-season selection of the labels of the moment. Samui’s styling videos went viral during lockdown – no surprise, they kept the joy of dressing up alive through the darkest days of leggings and loungewear. www.samuifashions.com / www.instagram.com/samuicork/ Photograph by Miki Barlok
SCOUT, 5 Essex Street West, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
“I’m wearing an indigo denim dress by Toast with corozo button detailing, cut in a shape I will wear for many years. It works really well across all seasons too,” says Wendy Crawford. “I love the longevity of Toast pieces. The quality of fabrics is really beautiful and I find their pieces are real workhorses for your wardrobe, something we always bear in mind when buying our collections.” www.scoutdublin.com / www.instagram.com/scoutdesignstore/
SEAGREEN, 6a, 7a Monkstown Crescent, Monkstown Co Dublin & 45 Ranelagh, Dublin
“At SEAGREEN, we stock timeless pieces that can be worn multiple ways, season after season,” says owner Sarah Gill. The brand Second Female offers chunky knits and printed skirts while those in the know head to Seagreen for its edit of Yves Salomon coats, denim from Agolde and Citizens of Humanity and cosy wardrobe additions from Anine Bing. www.seagreen.ie / www.instagram.com/seagreen.ie/
SLOW STREET, 16 Main Street, Blackrock, Dublin
In SLOW STREET on the Main Street in Blackrock, you’ll find recycled knits, organic denim and simple, chic silhouettes. “We don’t do trends. My passion is sourcing feelgood, clothes which have a positive impact on people and the environment,” says owner Evelyn Brown. www.slowstreet.ie / www.instagram.com/s.l.o.w.s.t.r.e.e.t/
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