Get your hands on it: Irish designs in the UAE

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  Courtesy Chupi

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  Courtesy Amanda Byrne

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  Courtesy Showcase Ireland

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  Courtesy Solvar

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  Courtesy Ri Na Mara

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  Courtesy John Shevlin

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  Tristan Fewings / Getty Images Portrait

Prepare to embrace all things Irish: top brands from the Emerald Isle will soon be available in the Emirates. We curate a list of the best finds – from couture to accessories – that were on display at the Showcase Ireland expo in Dublin last week.

• For more information go to, www.showcaseireland.com

Designer: Jennifer Rothwell

Best known for her signature hummingbird prints, floaty tunics and ethereal gowns, designer Jennifer Rothwell counts Irish ­singer-songwriter Enya among her many fans and clients.

She’s also no stranger to dressing stars for the red carpet.

"One of my dresses was worn by the wife of Song of the Sea producer and filmmaker Tomm Moore to the Oscars last year," she says. "It's available in pure silk and costs around Dh4,000, although it was loaned out for the awards ceremony.

“I’d say my clothes are perfect for confident ladies who aren’t afraid to stand out from the crowd.”

Bold and beautiful best describes Rothwell’s latest collection, with scarves and separates inspired by Harry Clark, an Irish stained-glass artist and illustrator.

For more conservative ladies in the region who want to invest in a piece from the collection but would prefer lower hemlines or want to add sleeves, Rothwell is ready and waiting.

“We have a bespoke service that allows ladies to lengthen, tailor or add embellishments to any of our styles to suit themselves.” she says.

“We can even custom-design digital prints – so if someone has a print they love, they can email over the image and we’ll make up the silhouettes for them.”

• Free delivery to the UAE. Visit www.jrothwell.net

Jewellery: Chupi

The exhibition space occupied by the brand Chupi at Showcase Ireland was something of a “paradiso naturale”, with wild prasiolite and lemon quartz jewellery displayed on tree trunks, glinting under the bright lights. Chupi Sweetman’s design aesthetic is all things flora and fauna – characterised by feather pendants and twig rings, sprinkled with gemstones.

Sweetman is also happy to customise pieces for customers with their own creative ideas.

“We’re very happy to do bespoke pieces,” she says. “So, if you find a ring of ours that you love, for example, but you want it set in sterling silver, rose gold or wanted to change the gemstone, we’ll do that.” A presence in the UAE could be on the cards in the not-to-distant future for Sweetman, given the ready-made client base.

“There’s such an amazing market for fine jewellery in the Middle East, and Dubai, especially.” she says. “People really understand the concept of buying something precious and having it for the rest of their life.

“They’re investing in a ring today that their granddaughter will wear in 50 years’ time. It’s jewellery that marks a moment and lasts a lifetime.

“Everything is made in Ireland and made with love.”

• Prices upon application, with free delivery to the UAE. Visit www.chupi.com

Race accessories: Amanda Byrne Milliner

With horse-racing season galloping ever closer, dedicated followers of fashion will be keeping their eyes peeled for the perfect hat – and milliner Amanda Byrne has just the thing to help them get their noses in front in the style stakes.

We’re loving her range of button perchers, saucer hats, fedoras and cocktail headwear. Her spring/summer palette is just the ticket for the paddock, too.

“I’ve mostly used sinamay straw for the hats, and the colours I’ve chosen are classic cream, cornflower blue, primrose and fuchsia pink,” she says. “I have many small headpieces that are light and comfortable to wear. They can be worn again and again, for races, for weddings, and so on. In fact, one of my hats was selected as one of the top 30 at Royal Ascot last year – and considering the stiff competition, I was really chuffed.”

With the Dubai World Cup falling around the last weekend in March, Byrne has something special in mind to help punters turn heads.

“I’d say it should be a striking hat,” she says. “I might design something quite large and flamboyant. Probably with stripy feathers – it would definitely be a very sculptural piece.”

• Prices start from Dh580, with free delivery to the UAE. Visit www.facebook.com/highburydesigns

Innovation: Ireland’s Eye

Wool was the word on the street in Dublin last month, thanks to brands such as Ireland’s Eye. The label’s creative director, and award-winning designer, Mary Donoghue, spun her noble yarns into couture gowns and sent them down the ramp to rapturous ­applause.

“We wanted to show off how fabulous the drop stitch and Aaron stitch can be – and we continue to see new possibilities of what can be done with wool,” she says. “Elaborate, interesting shapes are entering our collections, and while we’ll always keep our beautiful Irish knitwear heritage, we’re moving it forward.”

Other knitwear available under the label include classic Aran crew-neck sweaters, cashmere capes and luxe swing cardigans.

“Knitwear-upon-knitwear is increasingly popular this season, such as knitted trousers with a knitted sweater with a knitted cardigan,” says Donoghue. “And for those in the UAE, I’d recommend lightweight versions of our signature pieces, which are very fine and drapey, with lots of breathable cashmere – so good for keeping cool but also keeping warm in air-conditioned places.”

• Pieces start from Dh320, with free delivery to the UAE. Visit www.irelandseyeonline.com

Traditional wear: Solvar

Tradition is key to family-owned jeweller Solvar, but with a modern twist. Established in 1946 and specialising in Irish Claddagh rings, Tara brooches and filigree pendants, the brand has its roots in the past but an eye on the future.

“We’ve given traditional Irish jewellery and emblems such as harps, shamrocks and Celtic knots a modern feel,” says company director Marcus Obernick. “High-fashion charm bangles are also very popular at the moment.”

While there will always be current trends, it is the Claddagh ring that enjoys enduring popularity, with Solvar producing continually updated versions over the decades.

“We have simple silver ones and ones made of gold with diamonds,” says Obernick. “The ring signifies love, loyalty and friendship. The hands are for friendship, the heart is for love and the crown is for loyalty.

“It has multiple meanings depending on how you wear it. For example, on your left hand with the heart facing in, it means you’re spoken for. Worn with the heart facing outward, means you’re looking for love.”

• Solvar designs are available at the Dubai Irish Village store. Claddagh rings cost between Dh80 and Dh10,000. Visit www.solvar.ie

Cosmetics: Ri Na Mara

Translated from the Gaelic, Ri Na Mara means King of the Sea.

The skincare company’s director, Deirdre Ui Chathmhaoil, has no doubt that the organic seaweed creams and face masks they are selling in the UAE would meet with approval.

“With our cold-weather elements in Ireland and the high temperatures in Dubai, it’s so important to moisturise daily,” she says.

“Our most popular product is the face moisturiser, which has a very high content of the seaweed extract, and its amino acids are easily absorbed. The same goes for the hand cream and body lotion.”

Ri Ma Mara’s products contain avocado oil, Shea butter and aloe vera alongside the key ingredient, which is harvested sustainably by-hand on the Aran Islands off the west coast of ­Ireland. “We use a variety of seaweed, including carrageen moss and dillisk, which have been used in Ireland for hundreds of years for everything from detoxing to curing aches and pains,” says Ui ­Chathmhaoil.

“They are packed with vitamins, proteins and minerals, which is so beneficial for moisturising and protecting your skin from the elements.”

• Available at Marina Pharmacy stores in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Prices range from Dh50 to Dh100. Visit www.rinamara.com

Q&A with John Shevlin: ‘All hats are handmade-to-measure’

The president of Ireland and comedy actor Stephen Fry are owners of hats fashioned by Shevlin Millinery, a family business established in the 1960s. It is the only Irish company making authentic Panama hats.

Is it fine to roll a Panama hat when transporting or storing it?

aIt’s a bit of a myth and like anything you roll up, it’s likely to crease. That said, our Panama hats have a flexible cane in the brim to retain the shape; it also allows the hat to be folded down at the back to give sun protection to the neck. Etiquette-wise, Panama hats generally look better when worn with a slight tilt. Over the right eye for gentleman and over the left for ladies.

Hipster hats are back, so what is trending?

One of our most popular styles is a unisex hat – the French trilby. It’s trendy and young and comes in a variety of colours. All hats are handmade-to-measure and we can do any colour, any style and any trim.

• Prices range from Dh75 to Dh145, with free delivery that takes about one or two weeks. Visit www.shevlin.ie

Expert opinion: Q&A with Orla Kiely

The Irish queen of prints, Orla Kiely, was in the front row for fashion shows at Showcase Ireland last month. The creative director, whose swing dresses and coats are favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge and Keira Knightly, among others, shared her views on a presentation by wool designers.

What did you make of the show?

I loved it. We have such a heritage with our Irish knitwear, so it’s lovely to see designers bringing a contemporary element to it. It’s very cool. I loved the long, flowing Aran knits as evening wear. It’s really not just about sweaters and cardigans anymore. There’s such a huge variety here, from wool trousers to shorts, to evening dresses – again, very cool.

You do not yet have a stand-alone store in the UAE. Do you have any plans?

We sell very well over there but haven’t got any immediate plans to open up a boutique. However, we should never say never. I haven’t yet visited the UAE but I’d love to go there, for sure.

• Visit www.orlakiely.com