These stunning outfits look as if they’ve sauntered off the catwalks of Milan or Paris but they’re part of the latest designer collection at Brown Thomas. The upmarket department store has recently added collections from Irish designers Natalie Coleman, Lucy Downes and Emma Kate Manley and their designs now feature amongst high octane international labels such as The Kooples, Alice by Temperley, Acne, RAOUL, Carven and Helmut Lang on Level 2.
Natalie B Coleman
Natalie B Coleman studied fashion at the Limerick School of Art and Design and at Central St. Martins, London. She has worked under ‘threeASFOUR’ in New York, Ragna Frodadottir - a textile designer in Iceland and also with Joanne Hynes. Inspired by the stories and longings for individuality in all women and with a background in strong narratives and quirky romance, Natalie has recently established her own fashion business and label - Natalie B Coleman. All of the illustrations are hand drawn; water coloured and digitally printed on silks, making the fabrics 100% unique and original to the NatalieBColeman label. Singer and song-writer Lily Allen has some of Natalie’s pieces in her wardrobe.
Lucy Downes
sphere one by Lucy Downes is celebrated for its exquisite women's knitwear in precious yarns, and ingenious accessories. Lucy is an award-winning, ex-Donna Karan designer, who has an a passion for creating ultra-soft, lightweight clothes with flattering lines. Inventive, first-class design, based on a discipline of rigorous design development, is the cornerstone of Lucy’s philosophy, and quality is her key priority. sphere one knitwear is individually hand-loomed, which allows for a higher attention to detail. With every collection Lucy maintains her commitment to using only the world’s best, finest cashmere, silk and cotton, spun and dyed in the most experienced Scottish and Italian mills.
Emma Kate Manley
Dublin born and based, Emma Kate Manley, studied Fashion Design in Dublin and then moved to New York where she interned with luxury sportswear label VPL. A move to Alexander McQueen in London saw Emma hone her skills in embellishment and design. There she worked on S/S and A/W 09 collections, including Lee McQueen’s final show at Alexander McQueen. Manley (the collection) is a play on words, and anything but an androgynous aesthetic. Feminine frivolity and urban street-wear, combine to make garments both hard and soft, powerful and preciously delicate at once.
