Dubai-based Elizabeth Morrison’s wardrobe is as vibrant and colourful as the rugs she designs for her artisan business, From Jaipur With Love …
Tales From My Wardrobe, a style series that explores the wardrobes of THE GLOSS community, is a love letter to the pieces we reach for again and again; the hard-earned investment purchases that bring joy and the items that supercede mere ‘clothing’ to carry memories and foster emotional connection.
“Style not fashion … classic with a twist,” is how the globetrotting Irish entrepreneur Elizabeth Morrison defines her enviable wardrobe. “About two years ago, I made a decision to buy less. I never buy on-trend pieces, so most of what I have are old classics. I’m trying to stick to that!” she explains.
Elizabeth lives in Dubai, visiting India frequently to check in with the weavers with whom she collaborates for her rug business, From Jaipur With Love. This, Elizabeth relates, was founded by accident: “My husband and I were in Jaipur for a party. We spent a few extra days there and while shopping I bought some cotton rugs or dhurries. I had just resigned from my job with the intention of staying at home and looking after our daughter, India. However, I quickly realised that retirement was not for me. A friend convinced me to sell the rugs at her pop-up sale, where they sold out. Soon afterwards, I started receiving calls from people asking if I could source some more. And so it began! Dubai is great because we can get to where we need to go easily and it’s quite close to India, where I’m spending more and more of my time.”
She also spends time in Megève, Dublin and London, which perhaps accounts for her eclectic and exciting fashion finds. Here, she shares some of her favourite wardrobe pieces.
My favourite piece in my wardrobe right now is a tailored cape made in India by Patine. It’s beautifully cut and exhibits a rare form of embroidery called gara embroidery. I bought it back in 2022 and I feel it’s a timeless piece thtcan be worn formally or with jeans and a T-shirt.
The most recent item I bought was a white tulle puffy skirt by Kristina Fidelskaya. I asked them to cut it to to my ankles, so I now wear it with an oversized cashmere, but it can also be dressed up into something special for evening.
The best bargain in my wardrobe is a green linen abaya that I bought from Orient 499 in Dubai, a wonderful Lebanese brand that I found a few years ago. It’s perfect as a summer throw-on if I need to smarten up my standard white jeans and T-shirt look.
The biggest investment I have made are coats from Barnardos in Dublin and an Andrew Gn evening gown, which I love. This also happens to be the piece that has paid for itself in price per wear.
My favourite jacket is now nearly 25-years-old. I had just graduated and was in my first job in Dublin, so I spent my first pay cheque on this jacket, all of it! I still wear it and it still brings me joy. I lived off beans for the following months …
My favourite place to find hidden gems is always India. I see new fashion brands emerging all the time from Talitha and Love Birds to Pero, but a firm favourite is De Castro.
When I’m home in Ireland, my absolute favourite destination is Emporium Kalu where the girls always have a suggestion that works. That said, the least “fashion” thing I own is a huge taffeta skirt from there, paired with a cashmere cream knit.
The most hardworking accessory is an old beaten up Birkin bag and a ring that was made for me in South Africa by the sculptor Charles Grieg.
The most sentimental item comes from my mum. She is a style lover and over the years has given me pieces that I admired as a child. One such piece is an Irish wool cream cardigan tht’s so beautifully made. It’s weighty like a traditional Aran jumper, but quite tailored and fits me like a glove.
Follow @jaipurwithlove on Instagram.
