There are times in an Irish summer when flowing, lacy or embroidered white dresses or even statements in silver echo our need to make the most of those fleeting days when lighter attire finally get its moment in the sun.
Weddings, garden parties, festivals, days at the beach or fun soirées at home flush out the linens, the cottons and the silks, and particularly this summer when whites – which spend most of the year in Irish wardrobes – are such a strong fashion trend. Except for the year-round staple white T-shirts (Massimo Dutti makes some of the best), it’s the time when black opaques, cosy woollens and quilted jackets that keep us armoured during long winter months can be ditched for a while.
That was the thinking behind this shoot from a young Irish creative team headed by ecommerce stylist Eoin Gavin, who started his career three years ago training with Aisling Farinella and Zeda the Architect before setting up on his own. “We wanted to create a sense of fun and serenity with a mix of patterns, monochromatics and metallics,” he says. Most of the clothes are from Irish boutiques and were chosen to suit various sizes, so they are comfortable rather than fitted.
Aqua floral dress, Saloni, €574, at Costume; clip-on floral earrings, Jenny Vander Vintage, €40.
Pink tulle coat, Simone Rocha, €1,035; pink bow dress, Cecile Bahnsen at Havana, €495; gold necklance and bracelet, €120 and €110, at Beautiful South; pink sunglasses, €5, Primark.
The looks, according to Gavin, can be recreated without being the exact pieces or designers, “but still with some edge”.
James Joyce’s early poem Song captures the mood.
My love is in a light attire
Among the apple trees
Where the gay winds do most desire
To run in companies.
There, where the gay winds stay to woo
The young leaves as they pass
My love goes slowly, bending to
Her shadow on the grass.
And where the sky’s a pale blue cup
Over the laughing land
My love goes lightly, holding up
Her dress with dainty hand.
(From Dana, 1904)
Photography Palina Yoong (@polinazavr). Styling Eoin Gavin (@eoin.gavin). Hair Joanne Ó Neill (@joanneoneill.hair). Make-up Cliona Campbell (@cliona.makeup). Models Nadia at NotAnother, @nadiazalecka, @notanother.intl; Natalia at Ros Models @nataly.tlr, @rosmodelmanagement