Claire Garvey is an Irish couture designer with a talent for creating romantic, dramatic, and feminine clothing with Celtic flair.
From her enchanting shop in Temple Bar, she creates designer garments for her customers who value the work, detail and attention she gives each handmade creation.
A favourite designer of Irish divas Enya and Sinéad O'Connor, Garvey transforms hand-dyed velvet and silk into sumptuous garments that are stunningly beautiful and daringly different.
Georgina Heffernan caught up with her for a quick fashion fix.
Georgina Heffernan: What is the idea for your most recent collection?
Claire Garvey: My new collection is inspired by pop-art, Twiggy, and the sixties. It includes catsuits, shorts, and micro-minis in very bright, headache inducing! Yellows, oranges, blacks and purples. Imagine Andy Warhol and studio 54 meets Goth! When I was a little girl I sent drawings to Mary Quant for her doll daisy. I still have copies of the 1970's outfits I designed with flowers and prints, and this is also an inspiration. Mary Quant said she would keep me in mind for the future and gave me a signed autograph. This meant the world to me at 7yrs old.
GH: What’s your signature accessory?
CG: Any hair adornments can brighten the simplest of outfits from leather studded grips to pretty flowers and butterflies. The great thing about this accessory is that it can be bought either cheaply or in the high end boutiques depending on your budget. So it's an accessory everyone can afford.
GH: How do you describe your own personal style?
CG: That's a very difficult question to answer. Put it this way. I don't possess a pair of trousers or even one pair of high heels and have never worn fake tan. Growing up I always loved the doll Holly Hobby, she was my ideal dresser. I suppose I like floaty if slightly twee clothes! Imagine Little House on the Prairie meets Punk! I always since I was in Russia been fascinated by head pieces and head dresses. While in Russia, I was able to see first hand, the Kokoshniks, the Russian Head pieces. This inspired me to make my own woven hair pieces. They have changed throughout the years but I can't imagine myself without one now!
GH: Which of this seasons trends do you like the most?
CG: I love the crochet trend at the moment. It's done in a modern twist in neon colours that makes it fresh and cutting edge. It's a welcome change from any grey Irish weather.
GH: What are your beauty essentials?
CG: Factor 50 suncream. Again you don't have to go for the expensive ones. Vichy Normaderm range is great from sensitive skin also. Black liquid eye-liner is a must!
GH: What designer is currently on your radar?
CG: I love all of Christopher Kane's designs. He manages very season to produce something different whilst still retaining a definite signature look.
GH: What colours and textures are currently inspiring you?
CG: To give it a modern twist, the fabrics I am using are latex, and rubber. I have embossed the rubber in strips and different patterns to give the effect of textured fabric. I suppose I'm so used to using autumnal colours that I wanted to change. Also instead of blending colours I love the stark contrast and silhouette that can be created by coloured strips on inky black.
