Tabitha Magazine, Issue 5

tabitha Issue 5, Fashion / Photography / Art / Design / Music

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Linen &Ware... Vintage Too

Editor’s Note

Contributors

So here it is..Issue 5 of tabitha!

We are so excited about this issue as it’s the first time that we have introduced menswear. Check out our “Fall” shoot on page 28. On page 26 Lux Mundy talks about the link between her past boyfriends and their chosen outerwear. We are so delighted to have collaborated with two of Ireland’s finest illustrators in this issue. For the first time ever tabitha has an illustrated cover by the wonderful Carol Mahon. For more of her gorgeous work and a peek into her life, turn to page 36. Flick through the pages and you will also see a number of different images that have been illustrated by the amazing Carol Farrell for issue five.

See you in 2014!

Tabitha Team

Contents Faye Bollard Photography/Hair and Makeup by Shapes, Greystones

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A Touch of Glamour this Autumn LaTouche Place, Greystones, Co. Wicklow www.linenandwarevintagetoo.net

Emma O’ Reilly Interview with singer/songwriter Emma O’ Reilly.

Words by Fiona Donnellan.

10 “Of the Night” Gold, sparkle, faux fur and the beautiful surroundings of the Liquor Rooms in Dublin is the theme for our Christmas inspired shoot.

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We Heart Your Style Take a peek into Sian Carroll & Hannah Leavy’s wardrobes as they model some of their favourite outfits for us on the streets of Dublin.

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“Jackets” Reminiscing on loves gone by and their memorable outwear. Words

by Lux Mundy.

Thank You Editors Una O’Boyle Louise Ryan Shane O’Connor Graphic Design: Kyle O Murchu

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“Fall” Introducing menswear for the first time in tabitha in our Autumn/Winter inspired shoot.

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Carol Mahon Illustration An interview and a look at the work of one of Ireland’s finest illustrators.

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“The Kenzo Eye” Blogger Lily Joyce shares her D.I.Y Kenzo inspired clutch with us.

50 Homage to Sitges Irish cocktail champion Darren Costello shares his winning recipe with us.

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”Blurry Paths” A Dark Photoshoot by Photographer Leticia Valdez see leticiavaldezfotografia.com for more work samples

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”Over the City” Contributing editorial styled

by Sandra Pawlowska-Nahlik & shot by photographer Antonina Zharko.

Emma O’Reilly

Singer / Songwriter Photos: Shane O’Connor Words: Fiona Donnellan MUA: Suzanne Bogan Illustration: Carol Farrell Styling: Una O’Boyle Clothing: Dirty Fabulous, Carousel Location: The Chocolate Factory

Fiona Donnellan: For those of you unfamiliar with your music can you describe it in less than 5 words?

Emma O’Reilly: Let’s go with “drama-infused dark pop rock”.

FD: Galway girl living in Dublin, do you feel you’ve had more musical opportunities here or what made you make the move to the big smoke?

EOR: I moved up when I started college - I had auditioned for a few music courses around the country but one of the courses in Dublin was my first choice. I’m from Ballinasloe - we’re extremely lucky there to have a lots of music going on between local drama groups, the musical society, dance classes, music teachers and the schools. I wouldn’t be who I am musically without those things. I’d started writing songs and sending demos to friends before I moved up, so it was like the songwriter in me was finally born when I got here because I started gigging. Dublin is where I worked on and released my first E.P., it’s where so much of my development as a musician has happened. I made it a goal to gig outside Dublin as much as possible this summer and I had such a great time - but I don’t feel like I’d know the music scene in any other city well enough to be able to say that Dublin can offer me more or less than another place.

FD: Is music your one and only passion?

EOR: Maybe not, but for the past few years it’s certainly been my focus. I never thought I’d be someone who’d Tabitha / 4

have the resilience to live frugally, face all those highs and lows that the combination of big dreams and tiny budgets will throw at you - but it pulls you through. On good days that passion is your best friend. On bad days it’s like a powerful compulsion that you just can’t shake.

But it drags you along either way. I love acting and art; I’d love to be involved in more plays and musicals, and I’d love to be drawing more and developing those things but I often find myself giving time away to music first. Let’s say I have other, dormant passions.

FD: Has the road to this EP release been a tough one, what was your biggest obstacle in releasing it?

EOR: Yes, it’s hard, but that’s the nature of a music career. The minute you stop, it stops. I know a lot of artists will agree with me when I say this, but for me the biggest obstacle has been fear. It might sound silly, but every phone call I make, take I record, every video I share online, every gig I play – it can all make you feel so exposed. With this E.P., I think my own choices have been my biggest obstacle in a way because for me it’s not just about music, it’s been about exploring how I want to work, how I want to create. For example, I wanted to record in a studio with a friend who lives in Galway, because I’m used to recording in more DIY settings. I wanted five string players to play my own arrangements. I wanted a live piano. I wanted different musicians on different ends of the country on certain songs. I wanted them all to be paid. This has meant massive personal sacrifices where money is concerned, Tabitha / 5

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“

Most of my songs are like collages; they’re not written about one specific person or event

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but I’m happy with my choices. I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned because of them.

FD: One comparison I saw made was with Regina Spektor, how do you feel about certain comparisons like that, do you think it’s apt or more of a hindrance?

EOR: They really don’t bother me either way.

People use comparisons for lots of different reasons.

Sometimes people use them to express why they like your music, to share how your music connects with what’s already in their head. Sometimes people use them to catagorise you so that they can get your music across to other people – and that’s pretty useful. I guess the only problem is that we all catagorise things in our own unique ways, so a certain comparison might put someone off a certain artist, even though if they were to hear the artist they might not agree with the comparison at all.

FD: What is the song ‘Mad’ about?

EOR: Most of my songs are like collages; they’re not written about one specific person or event so this song is about a lot of things. I wrote it with my friend Donal Sweeney (a london based musician and producer) in one evening, so it was a quick one. First of all, I was doing a lot of workshopping with Shakespeare’s King Lear at a drama course I was doing, so there are a few direct quotes and a few paraphrases from that text.

In a lot of ways, MAD is about feeling disconnected from people you love. You can feel disconnected from Tabitha / 8

someone even as you hug them, even as you really try to reach them. It’s got different shades of that frustration in it. But it’s also about accepting yourself and where you are, and even though you might be failing to connect, it’s not always your fault and you just have to trust the universe and keep moving.

FD:You also teach music, do you enjoy bestowing your knowledge onto others?

EOR: I did teach up until quite recently, but I never felt like I was bestowing anything on anyone. It was much more like an adventure or an excavation. The way I look at it, they’re the one driving, I’m just the tour guide. I work with my students to discover the music in as many ways as we can, and I get them to lead as much as possible. The most satisfying part of teaching for me is when I see a student who - probably after months of coaxing – takes control of their interaction with the music in some way. It can be bringing me a piece of writing, or even just telling me they did their work in a new way that week, or - my favourite! - that they’ve tried playing the piece in a new way and they prefer it that way! I love that. In those moments you’re then a musician talking to another musician. And that’s fun. It’s a privilege to watch someone begin to trust in themselves; it’s an honour to be there to witness those small but crucial moments of blossoming.

FD: Do you plan on touring extensively with this EP? EOR: Oh God I’d LOVE to! I’m very caught up in just

getting the EP ready for people at the moment though, so whether or not I can tour will come down to money and whatever spare time I have to get something together. I’m working on getting someone on board to help me with bookings so if I can get that into place, then hopefully I’ll have a bunch of gigs lined up around the country, and maybe even abroad. That’s the dream anyway!

FD: Is there a grand plan for an album in the next while?

EOR: I definitely have enough material for an album.

I’m curious to see how the EP is received, in a way for me that’s going to help me figure out how I want to go about ordering it and releasing it. It is most definitely coming down the tracks, I just can’t say when.

FD: Biggest influence, be it musical or otherwise?

EOR: There have been so many influences – artists like Amanda Palmer, Rufus Wainwright, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and lots of cheesy pop. I’ve also been involved in a lot of classical music (mostly choral) and that’s had a huge impact on the way I write.

probably the best setting of words to music I’ve come across in ages. So brilliantly written and performed. It’s up on soundcloud, you should check it out. Actually everyone at that event was amazing, [the quality of the musicians performing was so high; they had Wyvern Lingo, Hozier, and some brilliant composers like Éna Brennan, Anna Clifford all performing their work alongside some fantastic visual art.] Well worth watching out for their next event.

FD:Your tip of who is going to be huge in 2014, one Irish and one international act?

EOR: I’m just not very good at those kinds of predictions. Here are some acts I like though, Irish acts I adore include Chewing on Tinfoil, Sallay Garnett, Suzanne Savage, My fellow Sponges, Stu Daly, Ciarán Parnell, Liza Flume, Hozier, Nanu Nanu! Tiger Cooke, Heathers and Enemies.

International acts would be Janelle Monaé, she is making my life right now with that new album of hers. I also love Laura Marling, Stepdad, Tom Odell, James Blake.

(T)

FD: Favourite act you saw at a festival this year?

EOR: Actually it was a piece by a friend of mine, Sherry Hazlett, at the SEE|HEAR event during the 10 days in Dublin Festival, performed by Judith Lyons and Dominica Williams. It was a religious text and it was Tabitha / 9

Of The Night Photos: Shane O’Connor Styling: Una O’Boyle, Louise Ryan.

Model: Megan Bea Tiernan.

Hair / MUA: Tee Elliott Location: The Liquor Rooms

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Faux Fur Jacket, Earrings:Penneys Top: 9 Crow Street

Skirt: River Island.

Top: Miss Selfridge.

Necklace: Kayleigh Forsythe @ 9 Crow Street.

Shoes: Penneys.

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Top: 9 Crow Street Skirt: As before.

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Jumpsuit: River Island.

Belt, Shoes, Earrings: Penneys.

Faux Fur Jacket: 9 Crow Street.

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Trousers: SVP Faux Fur Jacket, Earrings: Penneys Top: 9 Crow Street.

Shoes: Penneys

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Top, Miss Selfridge

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We Heart Your Style Photos: Shane O’Connor

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Sian O’Carroll, Superhero.

We Heart Your Style

How would you describe your style?

I can’t really label it as any one thing, I like different aspects of different prescribed styles I guess and wear them based on how grumpy I wake up that morning.

So I guess you could call it moody?

Do you have a style icon or inspiration?

The two aesthetics that inspire me the most would be blocky boyish shapes, like loose t-shirts and tanks and in contrast, classic 1940s and 50s styles so, cropped trousers, strapless bustiers and nipped in waists. I tend to always choose plains over prints, and generally in darker or monochrome colours, but I’ve been known to break out the ridiculous tropical print leggings every so often. Love a good palm tree. My style icon is my mama in the late 1980s.

Is there anything about fashion that pisses you off?

Fashion in general kind of pisses me off to be honest.

The whole idea of wearing prescribed trends and buying into a look that isn’t organically your own seems so fake. Whoever said that thing about fashion fading but style being eternal was bang on. Oh, and the phrase ‘pop of colour.’

Do you have any tips on how to shop and achieve a solid style?

I tend to shop like it’s a military operation - I’ll think of something I want, track it down, obsess over it, then acquire it in the fastest way possible. I grew out of impulse buying when I’d filled two wardrobes and had room for nothing more. As for finding your own style, find what works for you and what you’re most comfortable with, then immerse yourself in it until you’re a pro.

Quickfire Round!

Guilty pleasure song: Wrecking Ball. You all know it’s amazing.

Guilty crush: Harrison Ford. Yes, even now.

Place to eat: Metro Cafe for their breakfast special, or Paris Bakery for their eggs florentine. I really, really love breakfast.

Nicknames: None have ever stuck. I’m un-nicknameable.

(T)

What is your favourite item of clothing that you own?

Definitely the big sheepskin jacket. Best investment I have ever made. And my Dad’s massive, decrepit jumper that I pinched when I was 8.

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Hannah Leavy, Student

We Heart Your Style

How would you describe your style?

I tend to mix vintage pieces with trendy basics, be it high-waisted levis jeans with a crop top or a tartan shirt with a t-shirt.

Do you have any style icons?

I don’t have any specific style icons, I usually just go for what I think looks good!

What influences your style?

I spend most my day on my feet so I can be majorly influenced by comfort, I wear a lot of high-waisted things, I think they are flattering and can hide a wee pot belly after lunch.

What is your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

It would have to be my American Apparel black skinny jeans. They are super comfy and can be dressed up and down.

What’s your most lusted after item at the moment?

I’m not after any particular item right now, I do a lot of my shopping in London so anything I can get my hands on from their little vintage shops I guess.

Quickfire round!

Guilty pleasure song: Just one? There are too many! I would say the OC soundtrack got me good though.

Best comfort food: Cheese puffs!

Biggest fashion faux pas : Tights with open toe sandals.

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“

Parka Boy is full of secrets. He swathes himself in heavy fabric, face concealed under a hood and headphones and floppy hair

“ Words:Lux Mundy

“Jackets”

Illustrations: Una O’Boyle

In menswear, so often lacking in opportunities for experimentation, a jacket is like a costume. It’s a persona shrugged on over one’s own. Cinematic heroes are defined by their jackets- think Drive, or The Wild One or Bender from The Breakfast Club (or, less appealingly, Neo from The Matrix..).

I’ve a terrible, shallow habit of judging men by their menswear; I barely remember men who dress unmemorably, but strike up conversations based on tweed or

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gold buttons or a vintage trench.

Sometimes the wearer doesn’t live up to the jacket, but sometimes they suit it all too well.

Leather Jacket Every 16-year-old girl dreams of dating a boy with a leather jacket, chief signifier of the senior school bad-ass. After Marlon Brando on his motorcycle, there was Tyler Durden and the red leather blazer he wore in Fight Club. The very first boy I dated wore its replica.

It was a strange wardrobe choice for a teenager. That jacket took guts and an almost heroic eccentricity.

We watched Japanese horror films together, drank coffee and occasionally alcohol. We learned to act like grown-ups, except that grown-ups don’t wear red leather jackets or drink cooking liqueur robbed from their parents kitchens.

Members Only

Parka

Their adverts used to say ‘When you put it on, something happens’.

I met Members Only after exams had finished, in that long anticipatory summer when you awkwardly pretend to be fully grown, and wait for something,anything, to happen.

Parka Boy is full of secrets. He swathes himself in heavy fabric, face concealed under a hood and headphones and floppy hair. He blasts droop songs into his ears and owns a Moog and a rusty bicycle.

He is living the Wes Anderson dream.

Members Only jackets are a beloved eighties joke, now stocked at Urban Outfitters. They are worn by retro fetishists and back-of-the-classroom rebels, misunderstood art students and boys in vainglorious guitar bands. Members Only guy was all of the above. He did not take the jacket lightly; he wore it on sunny days and in the frigid depths of winter (true rebels give no thought to weather forecast). There was a gentle flamboyance to that jacket and its strange vintage shop smell, like leather and smoke and the rebellions of its previous owners.

Parka Boy and I were never really meant to be. He might claim the Manic Pixie Dream Girl is a tired and sexist cliche, but he will fall for a pair of doe eyes under a heavy fringe in a heartbeat. He is too twee to be real; the parka acts as a buffer between him and the world.

Red Velvet Not the cake, but the jacket, and its oily, plummy-voiced wearer.

Red to match the rope in the VIP area, the carpet leading up to the door. Buoyed on champagne and self-belief, pasty from lack of sunlight,

he paired the jacket with matching trousers and a ghastly pair of Gucci trainers.

To describe Red Velvet Suit Man makes him seem yet more outlandish: in fact I sometimes doubt that he exists in daylight hours, or outside of the district of Soho. My time with him was a blur, lost in untagged Facebook photos. No doubt he’s wearing it still in a bar somewhere, angling for a walk-on role in series six of Made in Chelsea.

Mr Saville Row It’s a certain kind of lunatic who wears a three-piece suit to college, but it’s exactly what one needs to become a campus celebrity. I watched Suit Guy from far away for weeks, wondering if he -and the suitwere real. He triggered a lifelong obsession with men in tweed; up close he was otherworldly and strange, and smelled like boiled wool

and shoe polish. The rumour was that he was the heir to a fortune.

The rumour was his parents were septuagenarians, that he’d arrived at college believing everyone dressed like that. Savile Row Suit Guy (I learned later, they were really Savile Row suits) stood as welltailored testament to the power of overdressing. Sometimes on bored work days I still scan his Facebook photos, which look like offcuts from The Sartorialist.

North Face North Face He is American, as all North Face wearers are. The jacket is an unflattering uniform, but he turns out to be interesting. Cue late night Skype calls, airports named for forgotten presidents, and the worrying possibility that I might never see him again. (T)

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Fall

Photos : Shane O’ Connor Menswear Styling: Freddie Steel Womenswear Styling: Louise Ryan, Una O’Boyle.

Makeup, Hair & Grooming : Tee Elliott Models : Stephanie Casserly & Freddie Steel Illustration: Carol Farrell

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Stephanie: Dress: Isabel Marant etoille @ Brown Thomas, Jacket / Hat: H&M, Boots: Penneys Polo: Age Action Freddie: Silk Shirt / Blazer: The Harlequin, Jumper: Paul Smith @ Brown Thomas, Polo: Vivienne Westwood, Jeans/ Boots: Model’s own

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Scarf:Electronic Sheep @ Bow Powerscourt, Bag: meandemee@ Bow, Powerscourt , Top: Armor Lux @ Bow Powerscourt, Jacket: H&M , Trousers: Zara, Boots: Penneys Tabitha / 34

Stephanie: Trousers: Zara, Hat/ Boots: Penneys, Top/ Bag/ Scarf: Carousel

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Stephanie: Jumper/ Skirt: Zara,Jacket: Penneys Freddie: Jumper / Blazer: Acne @ Brown Thomas, Polo: Vivienne Westwood, Check shirt: The, Harlequin Vintage, Jeans: Models own Tabitha / 36

Stephanie: Jumper/ Skirt: Zara,Jacket: Penneys

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Freddie: Jumper/ Shirt/ Jacket/ Scarf: The Harlequin Vintage

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Freddie: Jumper/ Shirt/ Jacket/ Scarf: The Harlequin Vintage

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Scarf, Zara

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Coat H&M Scarf, Electronic Sheep @ Bow Powerscourt

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Freddie: Jumper / Blazer: Acne @ Brown Thomas, Polo: Vivienne Westwood, Check shirt: The, Harlequin Vintage, Jeans: Models own Tabitha / 42

Freddie: Jumper/ Shirt/ Jacket/ Scarf: The Harlequin Vintage

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Carol Mahon Illustrator

I’ve always loved drawing since an early age I’ve always loved drawing since an early age and I began my formal studies in the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. I graduated in 2009 with a degree in Printed Textile Design and went on to study in The Grafton Academy of Dress Design. I’ve since worked in Industry in both Dublin and New York, designing prints for leading high street and retail stores; before taking the plunge and ditching the 9 to 5 to pursue my illustration dreams. Upon working in my studio I knew I wanted to create work that spanned fashion and art but it took me a good year of drawing constantly and experimenting consistently before I was happy with what I was creating. I now work as a freelance illustrator, from my studio in Dublin and have found my artistic feet in drawing faces, fashion, nature and pattern.

My work has been exhibited in NCAD, The Culture Box, The Mad Art Gallery, The Bernard Shaw and Moxie studios and has been published in The Sunday Times Style Magazine and the Irish independent to name but a few. All my work is available to buy from my online Etsy store: www.etsy.com/shop/carolmahon. Nothing makes me happier than drawing and a good cup of tea.

but to the actual creatures themselves appearing as prints and appliqué on garments and accessories. I was particularly inspired by the Marc Jacob’s bunny ears that hit the Louis Vuitton cat walk in 2009. It added such a sense of quirkiness and mischievousness to the collection and I thought this is the perfect way to combine my love of animals and fashion. I started experimenting and juxtaposing elements from fashion and nature and from here on the work itself just really evolved. I looked at different ways to express animal imagery, and read books on mythology and fairy tales to get inspired. I particularly liked the idea of centaurs – those half human/ half horse creatures from Greek mythology. I read a book where they referred to centaurs as liminal beings, caught between two natures, embodied in contrasted myths. There was an ethereal quality to this notion that I loved. It gave these creatures so much depth but also a sense of ambiguity. I drew a lot of inspiration from this and an idea that had originally stemmed from noticing the vast effect nature had on fashion, really took form and evolved into something a lot more compelling in my work.

Who or what are your biggest inspirations? Why? I get pretty inspired by going to my studio everyday.

I share with six other creatives and I find it incredibly inspiring to think that we’re all there day in day out, making work, creating, and just trying to make a living from doing what we love. It takes such faith in yourself to go out on a limb, not to mention courage and determination, and it’s something I really respect in people. It sounds cheesy but when I see people going after their dreams, whether it be traveling the world, going back to college or busking on Grafton Street it just makes me so happy and restores my faith in humanity. It’s so refreshing to know that there’s people out there who are passionate enough to go after their dreams no matter what.

What is your opinion of the Irish art scene? Do you enjoy it? Do you feel like there is a lot of support shown to Irish artists to get them working? If so why, if not what would you like to see change?

I think there’s a great Irish Art scene at the moment.

We’ve come a long way in the last few years and it’s amazing to see how it’s growing and progressing.

There’s a lot of very forward thinking minds and it’s exciting to see things evolving for us in the creative stakes. There’s lots of design shops opening up as well as more of an awareness of Fashion, not to mention different exhibitions every week. I just wish I could get to more of them, I’m always working! As far as support for artists goes, yes there is support for artists and it’s definitely growing. I think the Arthur Guinness Projects in particular have been a great incentive for creatives to get their ideas out there. Overall though, I feel that there should be more of a Government initiative to help emerging artists and young entrepreneurs. Starting out on your own is incredibly difficult and I feel that if there was support from the Government on a broader level, encouraging and creating incentives for people to stay in Ireland and start out on their own, it would make a big difference to attitudes and morale and perhaps we’d see more people staying here as opposed to going abroad to London and the States to find opportunities.

What medium do you work with?

I work with a combination of pencil, ink and gouache. I then finish my illustrations digitally in both Photoshop and Illustrator.

Your work features animal heads/ears on people’s bodies. Is there any underlying reason for this?

There are two reasons for this. Apart from just loving animals, it stems from a bit of a fascination with the influence nature and animals have on fashion as well as a growing interest in mythology. I find it very interesting to see the huge influence animals have on design, not only from the look, colour and texture of their skin, Tabitha / 44

Are there any other Irish illustrators who inspire you?

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“

There’s definitely a delicate balance between art and fashion in my work, as opposed to just being one or the other

“

As I’ve said, I think there’s a great Irish Art scene at the moment, including some incredible illustrators, but in terms of my own work most of my inspiration comes from further afield. I’m very inspired by Swedish illustrator Cecilia Carlstedt and French fashion illustrator Caroline Andrieu. I love their work and how free and uninhibited it is. I’d definitely like to experiment with looser more fluid lines in my own pieces. In saying that, creatively, I think there’s a lot of great Irish minds out there that I find very inspiring. I’m in love with anything Simone Rocha puts on the catwalk and I think there’s something really special about Linda Brownlee’s photography. It’s just so pure and incredibly beautiful.

Your illustrations are quite fashion heavy, is this because you naturally veer towards patterns and prints aesthetically, or do you see your illustrations as a mix up of art and fashion?

I would say my illustrations are more fashion inspired as opposed to fashion heavy. Aesthetically, yes, I love print and pattern and the way fabric drapes and how the light catches it; and I love to record all these beautiful little details with my pencil, but more so it’s just a very natural way for me to work as I originally came from a fashion and textile background, not to mention a home where knitting and sewing were the norm. When I first started in NCAD I was very fashion focused and really wanted to start my own clothing label but I still loved drawing and really wanted the fabric to say something and be a feature in it’s own right. It was for that reason that I decided to specialize in Printed Textiles. We were very much encouraged to experiment with different techniques and go outside our comfort zones and as it turned out my drawing actually took a back seat for a time. However, after working in the fashion industry for a while I realized that although I loved fashion and textiles I just didn’t love it enough. I realized I missed drawing as the sole focus of my attention as opposed to it just merely being a byproduct of the finished piece. Although I didn’t want to work directly in fashion or for a fashion house, I was still fascinated by it and when I began drawing and focusing on my illustration it was quite selfless in the sense that to draw within the realms of fashion illustration seemed to come very Tabitha / 46

naturally to me. It was a bit of a light bulb moment and kind of like this is what I was meant to be doing all along. There’s a sense of familiarity with fashion and textiles, as well as something that feels intrinsically me on both a personal and professional level. For this reason, combined with all the other elements that influence me, there’s definitely a delicate balance between art and fashion in my work, as opposed to just being one or the other.

What is the typical day of a working illustrator?

I begin my day early. I usually get to my studio at about 9 and start by checking my inbox and responding to emails. Then comes the social networking portion. I check my blog and Facebook page and try to update them every two to three days, normally with work in progress shots or recently finished work, or the odd time I’ll share something creative I’ve seen that I really love. If I’ve any pending Etsy orders I’ll usually package and send them out in the morning so I can keep the rest of my day free. Emailing and social networking can really eat into my time and sometimes it takes a while before I can even pick up a pencil! Depending on the project I’m working on, I’ll either spend the next couple of hours drawing, or colouring an image and adding finishing touches to it digitally. If I’m in the initial stages of a project, I’ll spend my time collating reference imagery and taking photos I can draw from. Sometimes I also have meetings or calls with clients that I have to fit in. If I’m lucky I get a few hours of uninterrupted drawing – this is my happy place. On a normal day, I finish about 6.30 but if I’ve an impending deadline I’ll stay in the studio ‘til about 9ish. I usually retire and continue my work at home at this stage because my studio is like a glass house and creeps me out when it’s dark. From here on I drink lots of tea and try not to watch the clock!

Do you have any exhibitions coming up?

At the moment no exhibitions coming up. I’ve got a lot of work on right now so am really just taking this time to concentrate on current projects and raise my profile as an illustrator. I am hoping to exhibit my work as part of a few group shows a little nearer to Christmas.

Watch this space.

What’s next in the pipeline? Any big projects you are working on?

There’s lots of things happening for me right now and it’s a very exciting time in my career! I’ve worked on some illustrations for a new home ware brand which will be out soon which is fun, as well as some upcoming editorial work. I’m also in talks with a pretty cool American fashion label right now, but can’t really reveal much more than that... A lot of people have shown a big interest in my work and opportunities are definitely opening up. Let’s just say 2014 is set to be a very exciting year for me. Just got to keep working away and keep the head down!

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The Kenzo Eye Clutch

DIY Your Own Clutch

Words & Photos: Lily Joyce Website : www.latestlilblogspot.ie

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What You Need A clutch bag, any shape, size or colour of your choice Paper Pencil Paint brushes Acrylic paint (colours optional)

Picture 1 This D.I.Y is inspired from the hugely popular trend of the transparent bags and the newly emerging eye print donned by KENZO. A cool printed clutch can completely upgrade an outfit, and I’m lacking in these, so failing in finding an affordable one I reverted to my D.I.Y box and an old cosmetic bag I found in our bathroom. These bags are so easy to find absolutely anywhere, try eBay, Penneys and the €2 shop for affordable duplicates.

Picture 2 After researching, I discovered that Acrylic paint is the best to use for creating this particular D.I.Y. Picture 3 Trace out the shape and size of the bag on a piece of paper then draw out your desired design of the eye inside the traced shape.

This way you know it’ll fit in the frame of the bag.

Picture 4 Then slide the piece of paper inside the bag facing outwards through the transparent side.

This makes it easier to paint the design and prevent mistakes.

Picture 5 Start to trace along with whatever colours you decide and watch your creation unfold!

Fill in what needs to be filled in and you’re done! Hey, presto! (T)

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Homage to Stiges

Darren Costello Irish Cocktail Champion Illustrated by Carol Farrell www.carolfarrell.com

What You Need 30ml Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice 50ml Bacardi Superior 15ml Orgeat (Almond) Syrup Pinch Sea Salt Half Muddled Chilli Caster Sugar

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Method Shake all the ingredients over ice and double strain into a coupette. Garnish with a burnt piece of red chilli.

Cocktails are ever-changing. This season, bartenders have been vying to impress their guests with sublime concoctions but with minimal fuss. The days of overly-complex cocktails with multitudes of ingredients are (hopefully) over, and bartenders are focusing on keeping things simple. The impact of this is that more and more people can now reproduce those fantastic drinks at home. Here we see Ireland’s entry to the world renowned Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition, where simplicity of ingredients and delicate balance of flavour have taken precedent over complexity and rare or hardto-find ingredients.. (T)

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Blurry Paths Photos by Leticia Valdez www.leticiavaldezfotografia.com

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Photos : Antonina Zharko MUA : Marina Bergmann

Models : Aisling, Danielle & Sara @ Morgan the Agency Stylist : Sandra Pawlowska-Nahlik

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Over The City

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Coats

Coats

Sara: Designer Sookyoung Song Purple Disco Wool Coat @ The Loft Market, Heels: New Look Aisling: Designer Sookyoung Song Ivory Kimono Coat @ The Loft Market.

Shoe Boots: New Look Danielle: Coat: New Look.

Sara: Designer Sookyoung Song Purple Disco Wool Coat @ The Loft Market, Heels: New Look Aisling: Designer Sookyoung Song Ivory Kimono Coat @ The Loft Market.

Shoe Boots: New Look Danielle: Coat: New Look.

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Lingerie

Dress’s

Danielle: Bra & Briefs: Penneys.

Sara: Camisole and Briefs: Penneys.

Boyfriend Cardigan: New Look Aisling: Bra /Briefs : Penneys Hold Up Belt / Hold Ups: Dunnes Stores

Jumpsuit River Island Waistcoat & shoes Stylist’s own

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Dress’s

Dress’s

Aisling: Dress, Faux Fur jacket & shoes, New Look Sara: Dress, New Look Necklace, Guna Dubh Dani: Shoes & dress, New Look

Aisling: Dress, Faux Fur jacket & shoes, New Look Sara: Dress, New Look Necklace, Guna Dubh Dani: Shoes & dress, New Look

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