Irish designers, stylists and creatives share the lessons they learned from their mothers …
Aoife Dunican, colour consultant and stylist
Mum and her equally glamorous sister were known around the county in the 1950s and 1960s for their innate sense of style. Jackie O and Grace Kelly were their icons, and even living in rural Offaly my mother dressed with that same quiet elegance. Both were talented seamstresses and dressmakers. They would travel to Dublin to buy beautiful fabrics from McBirneys, have a pattern cut locally, and then make the clothes themselves at home. When my mother passed away 16 years ago, a woman told me she used to sit behind her at Sunday Mass just to see what she would wear. I loved hearing this as I used to think walking up the aisle was really about walking up the runway!
Long before I worked in fashion, Mum taught me the most important style lesson I know – quality wins. She always said, ‘It’s only expensive the day you buy it’. She had an extraordinary eye for detail and adored my creativity, teaching me to respect other people’s style personality. She never got to see me follow my passion into fashion, but whenever I see something beautiful I still hear her voice saying, “A good thing is a good thing”. Loving clothes started from watching her value craftsmanship and understanding that real style isn’t about having more, it’s about recognising quality when you see it. @thestylebob
Rae Feather, designer
They say true style can never be bought, which I truly believe. Mum was a war baby, one of 13 kids. Her upbringing was wholesome, loving and humble. I often wonder how she acquired such innate style. She’s rarely seen without a neck tie or silk scarf to effortlessly finish a look (and hide a beautiful yet ageing neck). She also taught me to wear a statement piece of jewellery every day on repeat and invest in a great pair of shoes. Mum has worn Gucci loafers for as long as I can remember. They don’t have to be Gucci, but a great loafer is a wardrobe essential. @raefeather
Sharon Hoey, designer
My mother was extremely glamorous. She told my sister and I that we should always be dressed properly, and fully made-up by the time our husbands came home from work as they would be in the company of pretty women all day, so we needed to keep up. She also advised that we keep our nails manicured at all times as chipped nails reflect badly. Needless to say, I’ve failed on both points! @andtateshirts
Jess Colivet, personal stylist, Kildare Village
Mum was the epitome of elegance and style. She always dressed impeccably and, more importantly, appropriately for every occasion. One of the greatest style lessons she passed on to me was the power of accessories. She had a wonderful way of bringing her own personality into an outfit through finishing touches. When we travelled, she loved bringing me to local markets and little shops to hunt for beautiful pieces. Statement earrings were a firm favourite as were elegant gloves, lurex tights or exotic handbags. These treasures would transform even the simplest outfit and make it entirely her own. That idea of using accessories to express individuality and personality stayed with me. It’s something that I still believe today – that the smallest details can elevate a look and give it character. In many ways, my love of style began simply by watching her. She was truly my style icon. Here she is with her best friend Nancy Farrington. @jesscolivet
Christine Murphy, creative director, Urban Aran
Long before sustainability was a buzzword, my mother was its fierce practitioner. Our 1980s wardrobe was a rebellion against the disposable; we lived in the hand-me-down treasures of cousins, and the honest weight of pure wool, linen and tweed. A trip to Switzer’s or Kelly’s in Waterford was a rare treat. Her golden rule was simple: the moment you crossed the threshold of home, the ‘good clothes’ came off. Style was a shared language among the women of the house – my mother and aunts would disappear into each other’s wardrobes – a sacred, off-limits territory where they swapped the news and their treasures, often while debating the latest Diana Donnelly ensemble. From this I learned to appreciate slower more considered, colourful purchases – I love colour on my pale skin tone. I also buy from great second-hand shops and look for quality finishes. It’s inherited. @urbanaran
Laura Chambers, designer
I am one of three daughters; my sisters would agree that much of our creativity and eye for detail comes from Mum. She’s one of the very few people who I trust to give me an honest opinion on an outfit as she knows exactly what suits me. The biggest style lesson she taught me is to consider your shape and your style personality, regardless of trends. She always invests in timeless pieces rather than throwaway fashion, which is why she is one of my best customers! @laurachambers_cashmere
Helen Hayes, designer
“Best worn indoors,” my mother used to say. It was a phrase she borrowed from my grandmother, usually about a garment that had become soft and comfortable with wear, something best enjoyed at home. Growing up on a farm, I was surrounded by women who made things by hand. My mother knitted and my grandmother sewed, often buying tweed from Hanly’s for her garments. Clothes were simple, timeless and well minded. Looking back, I realise how much that shaped my own sensibility. I’m still drawn to tactile textures and pieces that feel made to last. My mother passed away on January 1 this year and I’ve thought often about her since. I find myself using the phrase now and then, and it always brings a smile. @helenhayesclothing
Charlotte Bradshaw, creative director, Dylan Bradshaw
Mum has sadly passed away, we were great pals. She always told me two things, funnily enough about my hair. She advised me to keep it short, so it looks thicker and to marry a hairdresser because hairdressing is expensive. I’ve always had very fine hair, so the short style stayed with me. Ironically, years later I did marry a hairdresser – proof that sometimes mothers really do know best! @dylanbradshawdb
Pearl Reddington, knitwear designer
When I was a teenager, I was constantly borrowing things from Mum’s wardrobe. She has a very natural eye for colour and texture, and she’s incredibly creative, so I grew up around someone who wasn’t afraid to mix things in an interesting way. I learned from her is that style is about having confidence in what you like and wearing things in your own way. That idea of individuality has definitely shaped how I approach design now. @pearlreddington
Sarah Murphy, creative director, Jack Murphy
My mother Alice gets excited about quality rather than trends. She has many beautiful pieces in her wardrobe, a favourite being a navy pure wool coat which she wears with a delicate silk scarf she bought in France. That appreciation for quality was passed down from my grandmother to my mother and now to me. Mum never told us what to wear as she believes that clothes should reflect our personalities. She expresses herself through colour and different textures. She has made me confident in how I dress, and that appreciation for detail and quality is enshrined in how we create clothes at Jack Murphy. @jackmurphyclothing
Jennifer Rothwell, designer
One of the biggest style lessons I learned from my Mum, Bernadette, was that confidence is the most important thing you can wear. She loved classic pieces and always looked polished, but never overdone. I’ve always loved Audrey Hepburn’s belief that ‘a smile is the best thing you can wear’. It’s a sentiment Mum completely agreed with. @jenniferrothwelldesign
Deborah Veale, designer
My mother, Anne Meehan, was and still is very glamorous. Growing up, I loved the simplicity and the considered way she effortlessly put looks together. I remember her shopping in Brown Thomas, Friends and Marjorie Boland twice a year, and vividly recall a black wool gaberdine Aquascutum swing coat with a Nerhu collar, shoulder epaulets with an inverted back pleat, and a cream suede three-quarter length coat with fur fringe worn over olive green nappa leather jeans. Blowdrys were a big thing and Clarins make-up was her go-to skincare. The key lesson I learned from her is how empowering it is to wear beautifully cut clothes and that less is more. @deborah_veale
Anneliese Duffy, The Linen Shirt Company and Fashion Connect Ireland
Mum always taught me that style is in the little details. She believes that you should always have nice nails because your hands say a lot about you. She also never leaves the house without a brush and lip balm in her bag, ready for quick touch-ups during the day. According to her, looking put-together doesn’t have to be complicated – it’s just about staying neat, fresh and choosing simple things that last. @linenshirtcompany @fashionconnectireland
Mary Blanchfield, Design & Crafts Council Ireland
My Mum, Bernie McGovern, was a dressmaker who taught me to value craftsmanship. I credit her with building a wardrobe of Irish designer pieces from brands including Louise Kennedy, Marian Murphy Cooney, Helen McAlinden and Magee 1866, among others. We are both tall, so she taught me to dress in a way that complements our height and figure. Elegant clothing with clean lines suit us best. @dccireland
