Colourful, quirky and eclectic, Doireann Healy mixes designer pieces and high street finds effortlessly …
Tales From My Wardrobe, a style series from THE GLOSS community, is a love letter to favourite pieces and hard-earned investment buys that all have a story to tell. These are the pieces we reach for again and again, the hard-earned investment purchases that make us smile with each wear, and the items that supercede mere ‘clothing’ to carry memories and foster emotional connection. From Irish designer Orla Kiely’s print-heavy wardrobe to artist Alison Conneely’s practical but eclectic collection of clothing, this is your chance to take a sneak peek into the most treasured possessions of stylish women and read all of the meaningful stories behind them.
Here, Kenmare-based designer Doireann Healy shows us around her wardrobe which features designer names, exquisite jewellery and bold neon pieces, all inspired by her love of colour and creativity.
My style is colourful, quirky, eclectic – a mix of high end and high street, of casual and formal pieces. I love good quality clothing. When it comes to style icons I admire how Lucinda Chambers styles her pieces, as well as Sarah Corbett-Winder, Sienna Miller, Mel Windsor, Mafalda Patricio, Yasmin Le Bon, Courtney Grow and Willow Crossley.
As an artist I am drawn to anything that resembles a painting so a recent purchase was this Alemais patchwork dress. Another recent purchase were Stine Goya trousers which is like wearing a field of wildflowers.
The best bargain in my wardrobe is a Marni trench coat adorned with paintings and illustrations. I am always asked where it is from by both children and adults.
My biggest investment purchase was the gold Kindred of Ireland coat which I bought from designer Amy Anderson during her pop-up at Brown Thomas. I have worn it so many times since purchasing and it is a lovely addition to my growing Kindred collection. The piece that paid for itself in price per wear is a vintage Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs X Takashi Murakami 2005 handbag from a Japanese seller. It brings me so much joy on a daily basis.
At the moment I am loving some brightly-coloured neon shirts from my own brand Begley & Bowie which can be dressed up with a skirt or worn more casually with trousers. I set up Begley & Bowie in 2019 as I wanted to create a colourful Irish brand which reflected my own style using high end, sustainable fabrics. The designs are based on my illustrations and paintings with a nod to my love of place and nature.
I have always loved jewellery, especially earrings. I have so many pairs from a Kerry-based designer named Lisa Dora that my mum first gave me as gifts as a teenager and I still love her work. I have so many pairs. I think that accessories can really make or break an outfit. I always find pieces in Momuse, Blaithin Ennis, Chupi and Inner Island. For colour, I stock the beautiful Creations Dana and Love Beth in my store. Most of my rings made locally by jewellery designer Paul Kelly in Kenmare. His jewellery is beautiful, particularly his “Jelly Tot” rings. I wear one of his amethyst rings which I rarely, if ever, take off. As for dream jewellery purchases – bracelets by Kyoto Tango are on my wishlist. For bags, Donna Wilson is a Scottish artist and designer who has collaborated with the Whitney Museum in New York and the V&A in London, and her new collection of totes is stunning.
The most sentimental item in my wardrobe is my wedding dress which I purchased from Sharon Hoey Bridal Boutique. It was a beautiful, embellished Jenny Packham gown. I got married in St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and the reception was held in the Crosby Hotel. The Crosby Hotel was designed by Kit Kemp, one of my heroes, so part of the reason I chose it was because I studied (and adore) interiors. My brother ran a bar in Greenwich Village at the time and over 30 of our friends flew out to New York; it was one of the best times of my life!
My mum had innate style. Sometimes when I would pop home she would be pottering about the house or garden and I would think to myself how chic she looked without ever trying. When shopping with her as a child she would check the quality of the fabric and people would always stop to ask where her outfit was from. She always dressed up to go out but I simply loved her casual style at home. I have taken to wearing one of her cardigans as she passed away a few months ago and it brings me great comfort as it is like her giving me a hug. She always wore beautiful perfume too and if she ever left a piece of clothing in our house after staying my girls would say it has Nana Joan’s scent. Scents and clothing carry great nostalgia for me. For unique scents I shop at Cloonkeen or the Burren Perfumery.
I grew up in a home where we were encouraged to have an interest in everything. My mum and my sister both worked/work in television and we were all interested in people and anyone in the creative sphere. I get great joy chatting to people daily basis and really feel art, fashion and music should be open to everyone at every age and in every place. This was the inspiration behind A Colourful Life, where I host creative conversations in beautiful locations. In addition I wanted to celebrate the women who are shaping Ireland’s creative landscape in such bold and brilliant ways. These are the stories I wish I’d heard when I was starting out. They are honest, inspiring and full of grit and vision. This series is about bringing those voices to the forefront in a beautiful setting, at Park Hotel Kenmare. So far these events have been wonderful – so many people have travelled to meet and hear each guest including Helen Steele, Shelly Corkery and Peigín Crowley. They have enthralled the crowd with their life and style lessons. I’ve worked with my sister Rachel, who is a producer, and it has been invaluable having her knowledge and experience when organising everything.
At the end of the day, I put on the softest pair of Ecco flats and a slouchy colourful knit. Both scream comfort for me – but they are the least fashion thing I own!
Need to Know: Interior designer Geri O’Toole will be participating in A Colourful Life at Park Kenmare on July 19. Tickets are €55 and can be bought on Eventbrite. Follow Doireann on Instagram @begleyandbowie
