Clothes brew up a storm
Sunday December 15 2002
IN THE past few years, I have developed a fear of flying, which is quite a handicap. Last February, I was due to work for Off The Rails in Dublin and cover Cobou's big fashion show in Ballina. How to be in two places at once? Fly, was Emma Cosgrove's, owner of Cobou, solution. Small aircraft? I don't think so!
Emma's powers of persuasion are so formidable, I found myself travelling on a small airplane, at night, in a storm! By journey's end we were shaking, unable to believe we were still alive. Lucky for Emma, her clothes were good enough to make me feel the trip had been worth the effort.
Cobou is a constant surprise to me. Possibly as remote from Dublin and Belfast as Dublin are from London, Cobou buys stock not only wisely, but bravely.
Emma is a plain talker, which is part of why I like her. She also is full of enthusiasm for everything she gets involved in. Be it her marriage to the gorgeous Joseph, living in Ballina, working her horses, dealing with designers, it's all part and parcel of a full life.
Emma loves her business and she has a reputation for being fussy about finish and make, which is to the good of the customer. She has no hesitation about pushing designers to be better. Having said that I know that she has huge respect for Irish designers.
"If I had my way I'd keep it Irish," Emma told me. "We're definitely very Irish this season. We've Rachel Mackey, Roisin Gartland, Miriam Mone, Mary Grant, Lyn-Mar.
"Leigh Tucker is very good. I feel she has that extra edge on a lot of new designers, there's a wisdom in her stuff, in her finish. I bought Leigh's asymmetrical jersey skirts and tops and even her beaded skirts, which were quite expensive, and they flew out. They're great for women of all ages.
"Then there's Roisin Linnane, customers loved the velvet coat and cross look. Her red coat came in lilac as well and we had huge re-orders. Roisin has brilliant ideas she made quite a few one-off pieces. I feel she will do well.
"N&C Kilkenny is very good too. They're very focused, they know the difficulties of the business and they are good to deal with. Rachel Mackey for next season is very strong, lovely colours, I have lots of Mackey customers, people waiting for her next collection. She's not just a special occasion wear designer."
Ballina has a rich social life so what are people wearing for the party season?
"I think Patrick Casey will be huge for next season. And we always carry lots of Jenny Packham. But party wear, has either been a high voltage dress by Jenny, or a dressy top worn with, say, palazzos. The trend seems to be little tops and skirts or trousers.
"But the big theme was boots, boots, boots with everything," Emma explained. "People are wearing them with party skirts and dresses. I have to admit I love them I hate having to paint my toenails!" and she laughs again.
But if Ballina has a penchant, it is for leather and shearling. But what of those gorgeous Betty Jackson embossed shearlings at ?2,555 a pop. Surely they can't sell easily?
"I sold four of those. Every one of those I sold in two minutes and that is true as I am sitting here and that was even before there was any coverage on shearling as a big trend. I think Betty Jackson has a certain elegance. It's not in your face, it's funky but wearable. The quality, everything is there. Because it is a sterling label it makes it expensive."
If Emma is forceful on an issue it is because she believes in what she is saying. Look at my flight experience, ironically, I'm not so scared of flying since!
