The van der Fliers Take Some Time For Themselves At Kildare Village

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KILDARE VILLAGE

How do Josh and Sophie van der Flier spend their downtime? If they can, they make time for a trip to Kildare Village …

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Josh van der Flier has been a key figure in Leinster Rugby since making his senior debut in 2014. The dynamic flanker, called “The Flying Dutchman” (thanks to his Dutch heritage) helped Leinster win multiple domestic and European titles, including the Pro14 and Champions Cup and earned him recognition at international level, playing for Ireland and contributing to their 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam. Last December he won Player of the Autumn Series 2024. Later this month, Leinster play Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship with a clash with Cardiff Rugby coming up at the beginning of March.

With a degree in International Business and Spanish, and a Belgian father, Sophie is fluent in both Spanish and French, and a love of travel complements her career, allowing her to experience the global luxury watch industry firsthand.

Sophie’s love for fashion has been a constant since childhood, a passion she shares with her mum and sister – they often had “girl time” outings to Kildare Village. She’s drawn to French brands like Claudie Pierlot, Maje, and Sandro, which reflect her timeless French Girl Cool style. This season she is drawn to Sandro’s wide-leg denim jeans and “a timeless beige trench”. Adidas trainers in bold colours add a playful touch to her wardrobe, while her cream crochet cardigan from Maje’s core collection (“I think they do them in a different colour each year”) is a wardrobe staple. Her brown suede Ba&sh boots and check Sandro blazer offer a mix of sophistication and comfort. “I would also love to find a cashmere sweater in a bright colour. (Johnstons of Elgin will oblige.) Sophie’s accessory choices complement her refi ned style, and she loves adding to her collection of watches, each piece with its own story.

A visit to Kildare Village is all about careful planning, especially when you want to make the most of both shopping and dining. Sophie starts by mapping out which stores and boutiques she’d like to target, ensuring she doesn’t miss any of her favourite fashion brands. “Now that we have a home together (Josh and Sophie married in 2022) I always pop into Le Creuset for kitchenware, and Th e White Company – we still have candles from around the time of our wedding whose scent has lasted so beautifully.” Other homeware favourites are Bedeck, for designer bedlinen, Samsonite – brilliant for frequent travellers like Josh – and classic fragrance boutique Penhaligon’s for fragrances for bath and home.

A great balance of fashion and food makes their visits to Kildare Village an enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Sophie makes sure to strategise the best route through the Village. She also has a strategy when it comes to shopping with Josh, a committed food lover: she makes sure he is fully fuelled before they set out, and factors in breaks – a coffee-to-go from Butlers’ new Chocolate Café, and a leisurely lunch at either Mani Pizza or Saba, two of their go-to spots. Knowing how much Sophie loves fashion, Josh is “very patient, allowing me to take my time trying on pieces”. A great balance of fashion and food makes their visits to Kildare Village an enjoyable experience from start to finish. They love to relax in the very smart and comfortable Apartment too.

Kildare Village, part of the Bicester Collection, is always evolving, and 22 new boutiques have opened recently, among them Mulberry, Astrid & Miyu, Self Portrait and Charlotte Tilbury. The village is home to the only standalone stores in Ireland for luxury brands like Eleventy, Barbour, Adidas, Molton Brown and Calvin Klein. Premium services such as handsfree shopping, valet parking and personal shopping add to the luxury experience.

Life for Josh and Sophie is a whirlwind, especially during rugby season. With games taking up much of Josh’s time, their schedule can get hectic, balancing his intense training with other demands of his professional career. Typically, Josh trains throughout the week, making the most of his one day off , while Sophie is busy with her work in the luxury watch world, Pilates classes, and her commitment to staying fi t with regular gym sessions, sometimes with Josh, who is a brilliant trainer, says Sophie. Sophie has taken on the 75 Hard Challenge, pushing her limits on fitness and drawing inspiration from James Clear’s Atomic Habits, building positive routines around exercise, mindfulness, and personal growth.

“I love spontaneity but with Josh’s career, we often have to plan downtime around his schedule.” Sophie van der Flier

Given their busy schedule, Josh and Sophie value their time together. Sophie tries to make every one of Josh’s rugby games which are, as she says, “a huge part of our lives”. Sophie also enjoys the company of her own “team” of girlfriends. When it comes to time off together, they try to balance spontaneity with planning. “I love spontaneity but with Josh’s career, we often have to plan downtime around his schedule.” When they do get time off , they cherish it. A perfect day or weekend would feature time spent with family. Sophie unwinds by playing the piano. Whether in the company of friends or family, Josh and Sophie’s ideal downtime is centred around connection and enjoying the little things that make life meaningful.

Kildare Village is the new official lifestyle partner of Leinster Rugby, one of the most successful and celebrated rugby clubs in Europe. Kildare Village will bring exceptional experiences to fans, players, and the wider community over the coming years.

SOPHIE’S LIST