Art Expert Patricia Tsouros On Her Love Of Colour And Chanel Handbags - The Gloss Magazine
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Art Expert Patricia Tsouros On Her Love Of Colour And Chanel Handbags

Author and art expert Patricia Tsouros has a zinging wardrobe jam-packed with life and self-expression. Here, Tsouros shares the tales behind some of her best buys …

Tales From My Wardrobe, a new 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 make us smile with each wear and the items that supercede mere ‘clothing’ to carry memories and foster emotional connection.

This week, we speak to author and art expert Patricia Tsouros, whose vibrant wardrobe reflects a well-honed eye for colour, pattern and shape – as well as a playful exuberance. Tsouros shares why she swapped investing in art for investing in Chanel handbags, and divulges her best spots for finding hidden gems …

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The most recent item I bought was a colourful Mara Hoffman summer dress (pictured, above). I love the wild structure, the bold colours and pattern. It’s unashamed and out there, just like my approach to life. In the day to day, my favourite wardrobe pieces right now are my Onjenu jumpsuits (get the brand at Aria boutique in Naas) and co-ord pants and tops. I have been buying them for years and still have every one. They are so easy to wear, to pack, to wash. They are a true friend, bringing you from day to night in the most dynamic of fashions. They suit my shape perfectly and they represent who I am – outgoing, colourful, and ever changing. 

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The biggest wardrobe investment I’ve made is a Chanel handbag. I bought it when we sold Artfetch, an online platform that my daughter Katie and I founded in 2010 identifying a gap in the market to access emerging quality art globally. We were acquired four years later having built up a recognised, in demand brand.

Normally, I buy a work of art when I celebrate a success or special event, but on this occasion I went for the Chanel bag. You can see the craftsmanship and detail that goes into a bag of that standard and, just like the art I buy and love, it’s gone up in value. Attached to my bag is an Alexander McQueen skull chain (pictured, above) that Katie bought me many years earlier. Knowing my penchant for anything with a skull detail she couldn’t resist buying it for me. I always wear it on the Chanel bag, it’s my most prized possession. 

Markets are always my go-to for hidden gems. I am a market addict: everywhere I travel, I look for a market to visit and I pick up unique bits and pieces. I am lucky that not far from where I live in Athens there is a weekly market that I get lost in. Recently we went to Marrakech and I bought some cool kaftans and jewellery, for very cheap. It’s so exciting. Just the colour, the noise, the smells – everything about a market is uplifting.

The best bargain in my wardrobe has to be one of the kaftans I bought at the Medina in Marrakech. You can’t go wrong with a €10 throwover. They are a lovely soft cotton, in vibrant colours and some have this Frida Kahlo-style embellishment, who is one of my favourite artists of all time. They’re beautiful and will certainly see many travel days on beaches, for lunches or walking on a hot summer’s day.

Last summer, in Amsterdam, I picked up some lovely, light colourful summer dresses, and some antique crockery too. In Ireland, I love going into Jenny Vander, where I have bought some lovely jewellery pieces over the years, as well as vintage dress coats. 

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I never leave the house without a cashmere shawl. You never know when that chill will sneak up. I have a couple of favourites, I like them to be lightweight, easy to carry around and soft and cosy on the shoulders. 

The least ‘fashion’ thing I own that I wear all the time are my Trendy & Bendy cycling shorts. I wear them to the gym, to go shopping and out to dinner. I dress them up and I dress them down as I want. I just love cycling shorts, and would consider them to be high fashion in my wardrobe – and I love that it’s an Irish brand, too. 

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Tsourous’ much-treasured vintage dress coats from Jenny Vander hang next to a Valentino dress. 

The piece that paid for itself in cost-per-wear is a pair of Proenza Schouler shearling-trim mules. Last year, we moved to an apartment that has a roof garden with the most stunning Dublin views. I bring my furry babes, Olliepop and Bettyboop, up there every morning, where I have my coffee and they play around. I wanted a quick slip-on pair of shoes to prepare me for the impatient woofs demanding me to hurry up and take them up to the roof.

I saw the Proenza Schouler shearling-trim loafers on Net-a-Porter and deliberated for a few days over them. Then I considered the amount of wear I’d get out of them, so I went for it. They have literally been worn every single morning and I wear them when going down to the gym. I kept them for that purpose, to keep them relatively clean, but then I broke my ankle about five weeks ago and they have now become my boot twin – I wear them everywhere.

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Patricia on her rooftop terrace in Dublin wearing her much-loved Proenza Schouler mules. 

The dream piece I’m lusting after right now isValentino shirt and pants on My Theresa, made from alluring floral lace in a sexy dark aubergine colour. Both are my latest stalking obsession, however, they are very expensive so I think this will be a long wait. They would have to hit 70 per cent off for me to come close to purchasing. 

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The dress that has a story to it? I stalked a Valentino dress on My Theresa to wear to my daughter Katie and her then fiancé (now husband) Tom’s beachside wedding in Greece. I watched and waited patiently for the dress to go on sale as I knew the bright colours and light fabric would be perfect for the occasion. However, as happened to so many couples in 2020, Covid put a stop to it.

In the end we got a gap in the lockdowns and made it to Athens, and celebrated what would have been their wedding date with family at Astir Beach instead. It was such a lovely evening, to dine out under the stars, watch the sunset, feel the sand in your toes and dance to the waves. It was absolutely the most wonderful night, as was my 40 per cent discount Valentino dress.

Additional photography by Julie McCoy.

You can follow Patricia on Instagram (@absolutely_patsy) here. Got a wardrobe worth sharing? Send us your tales and  imagery to digital@thegloss.ie

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