Style Notes: Carolyn O’Sullivan’s designs for unconventional brides and a festive pop-up

Designer Carolyn O’Sullivan set out her stall very distinctly when she named her business Not Another White Dress. She has attracted brides who don’t want to play it like their mothers, and indeed their friends have by wearing white.

Now based in Co Clare, O’Sullivan has been attracing international brides and recently took on board the desires of the wedding guests as well as clients buying for special occasions.

“I always say, ‘for the bride there are no rules, but for the wedding guest there is still one rule I will not break, and that is not wearing another white dress,” she says.

Across my bridal and occasionwear, it’s all about statement dressing for those who don’t want to blend in

The designer says it was always in her plan to make styles for wedding guests “and now is finally the time. Across my bridal and occasionwear, it’s all about statement dressing for those who don’t want to blend in.”

In an exciting new eight-piece collection, O’Sullivan has delivered statement tailored pieces to mix and match after the occasion.

There’s the core tuxedo jacket in a French jacquard with abstract print (€1,300) which you can wear with matching trousers (€750) or work it again with a mini skirt (€350) — and all three will find service dressed down with casual separates.

This is a slow-fashion, made-to-order businesss, with a delivery time of six weeks. O’Sullivan also has some gorgeous silk seperates in turquoise and navy with top (€350) and the midi length skirt (€600) that has a great kick for dancing.

Her 100pc silk dresses cost from €900 and O’Sullivan can create sizes on request. notanotherwhitedress.ie

Collective talents

The dynamic Flanagan sisters, Jane and Ruth, have organised another Design Collective store on the back of the success of earlier stores on Dublin’s Exchequer Street.

This year they have moved the pop-up to the top floor of the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre where the stylish venture has just opened and runs until December 24.

The Co Meath sisters have been steadily building their Style Ignite knitwear brand and each week at this seasonal pop-up store, the idea is to welcome guest brands such as Styled by Sarah Rickard, the stylist who has her own online fashion boutique.

It also features Happy Days, the phenomenally successful clothing rental company founded by Rachel Hennessy in 2021.

Rachel is a perfect example of following your gut in fashion. An accountant in KPMG, she saw the potential for renting occasionwear to Irish women and after selling her Google shares to fund it, her website and store in Leopardstown have become a go-to for occasionwear rental, offering brands such as Olivia Rubin, Spice Vintage, Ganni, Kitri, Sezane, Celia B and Maje.

The Design Collective’s line-up includes some of my favourites such as Caoimhe Murphy, whose tinsel-flecked clothing I covet and whose bow glass bead earrings I happily own.

There’s also the sustainable, vintage-inspired clothing brand FéRí and Cobblers’ Lane, whose recent Peacock Collection features sleak silhouettes in striking, glossy satins in sophisticated hues — ideal for the party season.

Dubliner Laura Chambers is there with her latest cashmere collection including the flattering Madonna batwing sweater and nautical stripes. You’ll find Nicki Hoyne shoes and boots, Grainne Mullins’ Grá chocolates, Caroline Duffy’s scarves and bags from Julie Peelo.

An absolute favourite of mine that is on sale now at the Design Collective is the organic cotton pyjama from Moon + Mellow sleepwear. The brand is run by Cliona O’Brien, who I finally had the pleasure of meeting in person after years of speaking on the phone and emailing each other.

We met when Cliona was manning her stand at the Gather store in Kildare Village. It’s a vibrant space full of lifestyle creatives supported by the Kildare Local Enterprise Board.

At this time of the year when so many people are actively trying to shop local and buy Irish, I really appreciate how the creatives come away from their studios and businesses to spend time meeting customers.

Of course it’s a two-way street. They can learn so much about what the customer wants. I think it adds to the whole retail experience and there’s nothing as nice as telling the recipient of your gift all about the person who designed/made it.

I cannot wrap up my piece on the Design Collective in Dubin without mentioning Nunaïa skincare. I’ve made no secret of being an enormous fan of Nicola Connolly’s brand.

In the week that’s in it, when the spotlight is on inspired Irish gifting, I cannot recommend the Nunaïa Superfood Cleansing Balm more highly. It costs €59 a jar from nunaia.com, and believe me, people will thank you for introducing them to it.