Tales From My Wardrobe: Artist Mary Claire Kirwan In Dubai

Dubai-based Irish artist Mary Claire Kirwan shows us inside her eclectic wardrobe that’s been informed by her travels and her love of a great market find …

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, Irish artist Mary Claire Kirwan shows us inside her eclectic wardrobe. Based in Dubai, the abstract artist is informed by strong patterns and a bold use of colour, and most appropriately for her wardrobe, her past life as a fashion buyer showcases a discerning eye for accessories. See inside Kirwan’s wardrobe below.

The most sentimental items I own are my Fendi wedding shoes (pictured above), my sister bought them for me as my wedding gift and I think it’s such a lovely thing to do. They are over 10 years old and I tend to wear them for big events, just last month I wore them to the opening of my first solo show here in Dubai. They are timeless and go with everything from denim to dresses.

My favourite item in my wardrobe is my Hermès scarf. I tend to throw it on a bag, tie it in my hair or wear it as a little neck scarf. I love the brightness it can add to a muted look. My husband bought it for me for our fourth wedding anniversary (which is silk) so I’ve had it for years, but I’ve enjoyed seeing how silk scarves are back in style to dress up a simple knit or even a plain white T-shirt.

The best item I have ever purchased – this is a boring answer, but it is probably familiar to a lot of readers – is my wedding dress by brilliant Australian fashion designer Collette Dinnigan. I have followed her for years since studying fashion, sadly her label shut down in 2013.

The most recent item I bought? I love finding pieces at markets – the value doesn’t matter, it means more if something is made locally and is a memento from my travels. I recently picked up this woven plastic mini shopper, below, from a lady selling off the back of her moped in Hanoi, Vietnam. I love it due to the scale.

The pieces that have paid for themselves in cost-per-wear are my Marni bags. They are the kind of bags that work well for this climate as we live in a constant state of summer, plus they are a price point that’s not overly precious. They work with a look for a meeting, all the way through to a beach bag which is the lifestyle I love.

The least ‘fashion’ thing I own that I wear all the time? Most of my day is spent painting or prepping elements for my art practice, so I live in shorts and a sports bra (not the kind suitable for civilisation!) when I’m at home creating. Then, when the day is over, I go out to the sea to wash the paint off my body. It’s a really nice ritual I get to do here.

The best bargain I own is probably an orange tie-dye dress, pictured above, that I purchased while travelling from a market stall at a park in Jakarta. I was out running before my flight home and I only had enough money for water, but the last of my rupees went on this dress instead.

I never leave the house without my Saint Laurent sunglasses, they are essential in this climate and glare. I paid way too much money for them but they are a complete necessity.

My most hardworking accessory is my 1970s Omega men’s watch. I bought it from an amazing dealer in London that sadly shut down during Covid-19 after 70 years in business. I love vintage watches and would buy more, but we can only wear one per day! It goes with everything and it’s pretty unique in Dubai, where everyone has a Rolex.

The piece that has a story to it? I have a rule that if I buy a vintage ring it has to fit my finger, no tweaking aloud. When I lived in London, myself and my husband decided to do a day trip to Brighton; The Lanes are amazing for jewellery. I went by a shop window and saw a classic gold Tiffany & Co Atlas ring from the early 1990s. It was true to my rule, too: the ring fit, so I had to purchase it. (I then proceeded to leave it at a bar we were having too much fun in. Luckily, we missed the train and I got it back.) I wear it every day and it’s a great stacking piece. At the moment, I wear it in between two silver wedding bands and it’s nice for that mixed metal look. Since I bought it, it’s gone up in value substantially – but I will never part with it.

You can follow Mary Claire on Instagram here. Got a wardrobe worth sharing? Send your tales and imagery to digital@thegloss.ie.

We may earn a commission if you buy through affiliate links on our site.