A pretty print shirtdress, a great blazer, wide-leg cotton trousers, a bow blouse, classic denim jacket, patterned tunic, fun letterman sweater, a perfect pair of tan espadrilles, and of course those ballet flats … these Tory Burch wardrobe staples reveal so much about the elegance, ease and wit of the brand’s DNA.

A very particular aesthetic of elegant affordable luxury has defined the Tory Burch American lifestyle brand since its launch in 2004 when Burch, a graduate of art history, with a spell at LVMH under her belt, opened a small store on Elizabeth Street in SoHo in New York City and a small ecommerce site. “How to define our style? A bit classic, a bit sporty, a bit bohemian … and always evolving. Our collections reflect that mix – it’s all about experimenting and trying new ideas,” says Burch whose personal style was informed by her parents’ easy East Coast glamour and love of travel, which she inherited. “I find inspiration in everything, from textured walls in India to market spices in Morocco. Travel informs our design approach – every collection has had a global influence.” And a global presence. The brand, which includes ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, accessories, watches, home and fragrance, has since 2004 grown into an international business with more than 300 boutiques all over the world, from New York to Paris to Shanghai. The brand is also available at over 3,000 department and specialty stores worldwide.

It seems like every woman we speak to has her favourite Tory piece, from swimsuits (floral, striped, classic black) to bags (coloured totes, chic clutches) the Tory Tunic, even pool sandals and beach towels. In 2015, the company launched Tory Sport, a collection that balances high-tech functional fabrics with classic design and a retro vibe including Golf, a collection adored by keen (and stylish) Irish golfers …

The brand’s classic and bohemian aesthetic resonated from the beginning, garnering millions of fans, of the clothing and accessories but also of Tory herself, the embodiment of chic, and professional achievement. Log on to toryburch.eu, and discover ToryDaily, with advice on fashion, style, interior decoration (Burch has beautiful homes in New York, Southampton and Antigua) art, how to decorate a table, even how to fix the Cocktail of the Month: the brand sets out to inspire women to dress with character and confidence, and reflects an enviable lifestyle. But it also has a serious intent. Women should be empowered to do business with confidence, to be aware and proud of their worth. From the beginning, Burch, the daughter of entrepreneurs, wanted to found a “purpose-driven” company and via the Tory Burch Foundation’s Embrace Ambition programme has delivered $57m in loan funding to female entrepreneurs with small businesses all over the US since 2014.

In March, the company launched Walk The Walk, a campaign which highlights inspirational women helping other women realise their ambitions. The company is prioritising sustainability too: “We focus on how we package things as well as the dyeing process and how we use plastics. We look at what recycled materials we can use. It’s step by step but we are absolutely dedicated to getting there.”

Burch, who lives in New York and has three sons, has been recognised with numerous awards, including the CFDA for Accessory Designer of the Year and is listed among Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World. Parallels between our lives and Tory Burch’s may be few, but it’s clear she knows what it’s like to be a busy woman juggling work and family, who needs her clothes to be easy, elegant and fun to wear.

Due to the continued lockdown, the THE GLOSS Tory Burch event at Kildare Village on April 25 has been postponed to a future date. We look forward to meeting you when the event is rescheduled.