Since its launch in 2016 for the centenary of the Easter Rising, Stable of Ireland’s tricolour scarf, a new take on the familiar green, white and orange of the national flag, has become one of the company’s enduring best sellers. The subtle tones of the design – green seaweeds of Donegal, deep orange montbretia (known in the west as the back-to-school flower) and grey limestone of the Burren – were specially chosen to reflect the wild Irish landscape.
Now Sonia Reynolds and Frances Duff, founders of Stable, have turned their attention to another cherished Irish national emblem – the shamrock. With their signature play on the familiar, they have thrust the shamrock into another limelight with a capsule collection of classic pieces embellished with bold and vibrant images of the much-loved trefoil, giving it a whole new look. It’s the culmination of four years’ work.
“We had been playing with versions and ideas of what we might do in various forms and materials,” they say.
The word shamrock comes from the Irish seamróg, meaning young clover. Associated with St Patrick, who used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, its significance grew into a broader emblem of Irish identity. The tradition of wearing it on St Patrick’s Day dates back to the early 1700s, and became widespread in the 19th century.
Stable are using it in fresh and unexpected new ways. “It’s about trying to have some fun and give back some style, elegance and creativity to the shamrock,” says Duff.
[ Fashion’s future stars: Student designers create playful, sustainable collectionsOpens in new window ]
She and Reynolds have been intrigued for a long time by the idea of doing something with the age-old Irish image. “It has been hijacked as a tourist-driven symbol of Ireland, and that was a challenge from our point of view.”
The pieces in summery silk satin consist of a top, skirt and dress, accessorised with matching belts and scarves in two print patterns – abstract and small – in three colour ways.
In researching various textile patterns they worked with a long-standing friend – the textile designer Peter Westcott, who has an extensive 19th and 20th century print and textile archive in the UK. They finally selected a shamrock print from the 1920s. All the garments are framed with contrasting stripes – vertical on the dress and tops, horizontal on the skirts – creating a visual playfulness.
The dress pattern was designed to be generous in shape and elegant, based on a kaftan style, and comfortable to wear open or belted. The top is a short version of the dress, and the skirt is A-line with an elasticated waist. Belts double up as scarves or headbands.
“We wanted to keep it simple,” says Reynolds, as she folds up all the items into a tiny lightweight pile to demonstrate how they easily pack for summer travel. “It’s about wearable pieces that can take you anywhere.”
Prices start at €320 for tops and skirts, €680 for dresses, from stable.ie and in store, Stable at Westbury Mall.
Photographer Gina Crighton; model Lily Lyons; hair and make up @nikkiwhelenartist; accessories by Cristina @vintagecristina.
