A peek inside the tastemaker’s colourful, contemporary wardrobe …
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. Here, style consultant Edel Kinane gives us a sneak peek into her most treasured possessions and the meaningful stories behind them.
Tell us about your background … My first ‘proper’ job was with Marie Claire Australia, having moved there for a year after graduating from Trinity College. I then worked in marketing roles, including ten years at Brown Thomas, followed by a commercial director role in the digital world of Just Eat. I always wanted to return to fashion, so now I have the pleasure of working with individual clients and brands.
What’s your style and why do you love fashion? My style varies depending on the day. I love a pair of utility combats and a big blazer as much as a girly tulle skirt. Overall, my style is quite contemporary and I don’t really do pattern. I’m very inspired by street style, in particular. I’ve always loved combining colours. I remember loving Ton Sur Ton when I was about 12-years-old and saving up to buy my first designer cardigan from Jackie Lavin’s boutique in Blackrock in Dublin – a long time ago!
What are your seasonal staples and how do you build a capsule wardrobe? I think a smart long coat always elevates your style. I start with the coat and then pair with denims, a great white T-shirt or shirt and a colourful scarf to tie it all together.
What’s your favourite piece in your wardrobe right now and what do you have your eye on? At my Tastemaker Spring Pop-up recently, I sourced some amazing jackets from a Dutch female designer duo called Dreamer Collectives. I have my eye on two of the jackets, a bright tomato red cropped version in terry towelling and a longer vegan white jacket with pockets. I love finding unique pieces that can give your look an edge.
What’s the most sentimental item in your wardrobe and why? I have a maxi Burberry trench, given to me by my very stylish cousin Mary Ricard. She has always been my style inspiration, as well as my Mum. She bought this classic over 40 years ago in Brown Thomas.
What’s the most recent item you bought and where? I just bought a pair of vintage Celine shoes from Phoebe Philo’s 2014 collection on Vestiare. I had my eye on them for over a year after spotting a similar pair on Margot Robbie. They have outrageously high mirrored heels, but I love them.
What’s the most sustainable piece in your wardrobe? I wanted a Colin Burke knit for many years and I finally acquired one this year. It’s not cheap, but it’s a piece of art and a heritage piece for the future, made by skilled knitters in the West of Ireland. I will wear it forever and pass it to my two daughters, so in terms of cost per wear and sustainability, it’s a keeper.
What’s the biggest investment? My biggest investment are my black zipped ankle boots from The Row. I saved up for them about as long as they took to break in, but it’s all worth it now!
What’s the piece that paid for itself in price-per-wear? I have invested in a few Sacai pieces over the years; it’s one of my favourite brands, in addition to JW Anderson. They never date and have a design aesthetic that the high street can’t match.
Where are your favourite places to find hidden gems? I think when you’re relaxed and away on holidays, you have time to rummage. I’m originally from Galway and spend a lot of time in the West of Ireland. I can always uncover gems in Love Vintage and Millars Connemara, both in Clifden. The boutiques in the Marais in Paris are also my go-tos for something a little different.
What’s the least “fashion” piece you own that you wear all the time? My ‘Cousins Beach’ T-shirt from the show The Summer I Turned Pretty. I was hooked on the show, bought it off Instagram for my daughter, but ended up keeping it. It’s the softest thing I own and I wear it in bed all the time!
What do you never leave the house without and why? My sunglasses, I have lots of pairs. Like coats and bags, I find them hard to resist, plus they cover up a lot!
Who are your style influencers and what’s on your wish list? I have a few very stylish clients who I admire as they always challenge me to up the ante when styling their wardrobes. I love Greta Lee and Jennifer Connelly’s style; they’re both modern, sophisticated dressers. If money was no object, I would bag the SS26 Celine Trench by Michael Rider, with the scarf lining. It’s a perfect rich camel shade that would fit right into my wardrobe.
What’s your most hardworking accessory? A capacious, large suede tote by Jerome Dreyfus. It’s a lovely tobacco colour, and carries everything I need and more for my work.
Do you have any pieces that you’ll never get rid of? My pink tulle skirt from Havana Donnybrook. I wore it for the first time for my friend Deirdre’s 50th. It was my first big day out after finishing my treatment for breast cancer a couple of years ago. I had the most wonderful day sitting in the garden of The Merrion Hotel, laughing with all my best friends. It’s also the day that I decided I would focus on growing my Tastemaker brand full-time. I’ve never looked back.
