Made in Ireland: Farrell & Brown
More photos:Tuesday June 30 2009
There is a dark side to Farrell & Brown, the casualwear label that challenges the might of Tommy, Ralph and Abercrombie & Fitch. For all its pretty pinks and sun-bleached cottons, Farrell & Brown likes things a little bit dangerous; a little bit edgy.
Stocked exclusively in only four stores around the country, you’ll find Farrell & Brown’s flagship store at No 1 Dawson Street. It’s all very gothic, 21st-century, designer style. No surprise, then, that the label with the ‘Born in Ireland, Made with Love, Worn with Passion’ tagline is finding a home for itself in the wardrobes of Ireland’s young bloods.
The range comprises relaxed casualwear with sexy undertones, and a strong emphasis on layering, comfort and natural fibres. The prices are good, with jeans around €80, tops €20-€50, knits from €40, jackets from €80, and so on.
Menswear tends to be colourful, nicely working the balance between earthiness and fashion — the upshot being that you won’t look a fashion victim, but you will look different from the pack. The knitwear is especially nice — skinny knits with subtle details, in cotton-cashmere mixes. Bottoms can be anything from tracksuits to cargo pants, long shorts and jeans. There are some neat-fit shirts and jackets.
Womenswear is edgier — think sexy vest tops, micro-minis and hot pants, smock dresses, slightly avant-garde jackets, and skinny and bootcut jeans. The Farrell & Brown palette is feminine and flattering, while avoiding being saccharine and too girly. Farrell & Brown also carries small, complementary collections of accessories and footwear.
What makes Farrell & Brown even more interesting is that this label is entirely Irish. The brainchild of Freda Hayes, of the Blarney Woollen Mills Kelleher dynasty and founder of Meadows & Byrne, it is also designed in Ireland by two women. Emma Wilson is a contemporary of Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, who has worked with Jean Paul Gaultier and Sonia Rykiel; and Paula Hanley is a designer I recall from her excellent graduation collection at Limerick School of Art and Design. Paula worked at Marc Jacobs and Jill Stuart, and has been with Blarney since 2003.
“Farrell & Brown is for Irish people and we are really proud of it,” Paula told me. “We do small runs of items, unlike the big brands. We learn from our customers constantly and that keeps it all very exciting. We think Farrell & Brown is fantastic. We’re excited!”
We are too. Farrell & Brown is the coolest thing since cupcakes and French macaroons.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN BREITHAUPT
FASHION EDITED BY CONSTANCE HARRIS
- Constance Harris
