Latest news with #Begley&Bowie
Irish Examiner
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Doireann Healy on Bowie and Begley, going viral, Kenmare life, and her latest venture
'She used to say, 'you can be anything'.' Doireann Healy is talking about her late mother, Joan, who was, she says, 'my greatest inspiration'. Just like her daughter, Joan — who died in March — was a go-getter who embraced opportunity and life to the full. Having completed her final year of schooling in Dublin's Loreto on the Green, Joan took the advice of a teacher and applied to be PA for 'a new guy after arriving from the BBC who is launching a show called The Late Late'. That guy was, of course, Gay Byrne and Joan worked as his PA for 10 years before leaving to study her twin passions of English and history at UCD. 'Gay was family to her,' Healy says. 'Gay and Kathleen took this Kerry girl and had her out at their house all the time. They bought her first typewriter and her first bottle of perfume.' Years later, Joan would watch The Late Late Show's credits roll and comment on senior staff who in her day had been in charge of menial tasks, using the example to show her children that, with determination and graft, you can be anything. 'It inspired me to believe that you can,' says Healy, who has been taking her mother's sage advice and running with it ever since. The industrious Kenmare woman is possibly best known for her Begley & Bowie-brand vibrant slogan sweatshirts, but she's also an interior designer, teacher, illustrator, screen printer, shop owner, and can now add event planner to her many hats (and she's mulling over a podcast.). Her latest venture, which she's been thinking about doing 'for years,' is A Colourful Life. Doireann Healy: 'I launched my store in Kenmare on the Tuesday and I launched in Brown Thomas on the Wednesday. It was a crazy time. At that stage, a lot of companies were reaching out to me to design for them as well.' Picture Dan Linehan 'The idea is creative conversations in beautiful locations,' Healy says of the upcoming series of talks which will take place at the gorgeous Park Hotel in Kenmare, the owners of which were 'so helpful and encouraging', when she put the idea to them, as have been the women to whom Healy will be chatting. Helen Steele, Shelly Corkery, Peigín Crowley, Joanne Hynes, Geri O'Toole — all are pioneering creatives in their respective fields, and just like Healy, all are strong women who have trailblazed their own paths to success. Healy herself is hugely successful. She started her career in interior design before becoming a teacher — 'my mom always said 'get a degree'. So I went and I did teaching' — but the pull of illustration and fashion was always there. So in 2019, having taken a career break, she launched art and fashion brand Begley & Bowie (her beloved childhood dogs were named for Séamus Begley and David Bowie) with her now famous placename sweatshirts going viral from their launch (think 'New York Paris Dingle London Milan' arranged in a neon listicle). ''We were inundated with people asking me would I do [sweatshirts] for their places. It went crazy and overnight Begley & Bowie just took off.' And it didn't let up. 'I realised this is becoming too big,' she recalls thinking in 2020. 'There was an awful lot of media interest. Brown Thomas reached out' — for its annual influential Irish design showcase CREATE. 'I launched my store in Kenmare on the Tuesday and I launched in Brown Thomas on the Wednesday. It was a crazy time. At that stage, a lot of companies were reaching out to me to design for them as well.' SUSTAINABILITY The interior of Bowie & Begley in Kenmare. Picture Dan Linehan Healy was committed to sustainability from the start and sourced organic, ring-spun cotton from Belgium for her sweatshirts. 'One of the first things I wanted was high-end, good-quality merch. Good-quality designs. I remember Amy Huberman came to one of my first pop-ups in Dublin. She was purchasing clothing and she just went 'the quality of these'.' Healy, based as she is on one of the tourist hotspots on the Ring of Kerry, felt 'what people would buy is what tourists would buy'. Quality fashion that represented a modern Ireland would, she thought, have appeal for both customer bases. Her instincts were spot on, and high-end hotels such as Adare Manor and Dromoland Castle began to reach out with commissions. Healy set up a design studio, 'and I've designed for 25 brands so far… everything from an orchestra to bars. It's been crazy.' Healy's success is not accidental. Rather, it is the result of years of hard graft and a hunger to always keep learning. Doireann Healy: 'My nana, the first thought she always had was, 'how would I do it?' She taught me that. I always query, 'why are we getting someone, can we try it ourselves?'' Picture Dan Linehan She grew up absorbing the influence of strong, entrepreneurial women who recognised the value of independence and a pioneering spirit. She spent the first five years of her life in Kenmare, then moved to the heart of the Cork Gaeltacht, where she was educated through Irish. Her paternal grandmother, Nóní Twomey — 'a really strong character' — was a formative influence. The native Irish speaker ran a shop in Cúil Aodha, and was also a Bean a Tí, keeping 30 students every summer. 'She was a real businesswoman,' Healy recalls. 'She built on an extension when no one did, so that she'd have dormitories for 30.' Cúil Aodha is, of course, famous for the musical legacy of composer Seán Ó Riada, and as such 'we had musicians from all over Ireland who sent their children to learn music. My siblings and I always say we saw the coolest teenagers. I was absorbing that and their fashion. It was incredible back then.' Healy renovated her Kenmare store this year, and installed a café, naming it Nóní's in honour of her late grandmother, with whom she shares an innate optimism, drive and can-do attitude. 'My nana, the first thought she always had was, 'how would I do it?' She taught me that. I always query, 'why are we getting someone, can we try it ourselves?'' Healy says. 'I'm really into this belief that you can learn at any age and you can try; if you don't succeed, fail and fail again.' LANGUAGE AND COLOUR Irish designer Doireann Healy outside Begley & Bowie, Kenmare, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan Healy is very aware of how her childhood immersion in the rich cultural landscape of her homeplace — along with the influence of her mum, who brought her children to poetry readings, art shows, fashion shows and instilled in them a love of history and literature — has shaped her appreciation of language, literature, music, and art. 'It's incredible the impact that culture has,' she says. 'When you're surrounded by it, you absorb it. It just opens you up to so much more. I love all types of music and literature. It instils a hunger for creativity and learning.' Healy's intrinsic understanding of language, culture and colour has resulted in an aesthetic that is instantly recognisable as uniquely hers. Her fashion is fresh, vibrant and modern, yet carries with it a sense of place that speaks of today's Ireland; vivid, vibrant and quietly confident, like Healy herself. Not for her the four collections a year treadmill, she works to her own pace. 'No one rushes me,' she says. 'I always know my customer, and any customer who loves fashion, they will wait.' And wait they do. As well as her signature sweatshirts, she has a stunning Irish linen range of separates 'that's made in Dublin by a lady'. Irish designer Doireann Healy at Begley & Bowie, Kenmare, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan She loves her life in Kenmare — 'There's a sense of calm, it's not a manic life here' — and finds her relatively remote location a boon rather than hindrance. Customers seek out her beautiful store, and she loves that she 'has time to talk to people'. Talking is what she'll be doing much more of with A Colourful Life. She knows and has been inspired by all the women who'll feature, and feels that the conversations present an incredible learning opportunity, a sharing of knowledge for those aspiring to be part of the fashion, wellness or interiors worlds. 'It's also to show that you don't have to follow the straight path. Look at me. I'm in a completely different world to what I set out upon. I really think it's an opportunity for anyone of any age, young or old, to come in and see how it's done.' 'A Colourful Life: Doireann Healy In Conversation with Peigín Crowley' will take place at the Park Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry on July 5. For tickets see
Extra.ie
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Styled By Niamh: Designer Doireann Healy on celeb clientele and her surprising greatest fear
Fashion designer Doireann Healy is quite the character. A native of County Kerry, Doireann lived in rural Kenmare until age five, but spent her formative years in the Cork Gaeltacht area. However, despite a childhood spent in the countryside and being surrounded by farms and fields as far as the eye could see, in adulthood Doireann developed a fear of a staple farmyard animal. Begley & Bowie sweater €120Adidas Gazelle sneakers €120 'I have a huge fear of cows,' Doireann laughed. 'I grew up in the countryside and I was never afraid of them until I read some articles in recent years about how dangerous they are and now they terrify me.' Fear of bovines aside, Doireann's immersion in nature was to prove her inspiration for her clothing brand Begley & Bowie – which is named after her two beloved pooches. Despite Begley & Bowie being a relative newcomer to the Irish fashion market, Doireann has amassed quite the faithful following and counts actress Amy Huberman and presenter Angela Scanlon among her celebrity clientele. Begley & Bowie Tily bomber jacket €315 Light grey flower slogan tee €42 'My pieces have been worn by Amy Huberman, who purchased at one of my first pop-up shops in Dublin,' says Doireann proudly. 'And Helen Cody, Muireann O'Connell, Triona McCarthy, Sabrina Hill, Nadia El Ferdaoussi and Emma Doran have all bought some of my pieces.' Doireann hails from a large family and when she was young she flitted between school in Cork and family time at her uncle's bar in Kenmare town. And despite developing her love of fashion design at college in Dublin, Doireann found herself returning to her old stomping ground of Kenmare – where she now sells her fashion brand just doors away from her uncle's pub in the picturesque town. 'I am from Kenmare as my mother was from here and she was from a large family of eight, so I have lots of cousins and family here,' she says. 'We moved not far over the border when I was five to the Cork Gaeltacht, where my dad was from, so all of my education was through Irish. We were over and back all of the time and I started working summers here in Kenmare at 16 and – voila – I'm still here.' From the Gaeltacht Doireann went to Dublin to study art and design and it was here she caught the fashion bug. 'I qualified in interior design, which I still love, but art and fashion were also huge loves of mine. 'I had always been drawing and illustrating since my early teens. I'm very into the visual and always have been since I was a child. Sweater and linen skirt both Begley & Bowie 'I studied screen printing in Dublin and worked with textiles including Irish linens in Belfast. I originally released those illustrations as art prints and then progressed to textiles. I now work with all types of textiles.' Like many fledgling designers Doireann was producing, selling and packaging her designs from her home – but Begley & Bowie quickly began to go global, so she decided that her brand needed a home of its own outside of her Kenmare pad. 'I opened my store in July 2021. The brand was selling worldwide and customers coming to Kenmare would message to see if I had a store – and I hadn't a base. 'At this stage I had a lot of Irish stockists too so I needed a space, and I found a premises that I loved and I opened the store the day before my collection launched in Brown Thomas Dublin.' The quirky, playful nature of Begley & Bowie combined with the eye-catching colour palette is what make Doireann's designs stand out in a very crowded clothing marketplace. 'I think because Begley & Bowie is full of colour and joy that my pieces suit every age. I design both children's and adult clothing and customers – particularly in Ireland – love colour. 'I also design a range of Irish linens with a neon pop, all made in Dublin, and they are very popular too particularly with US and French customers.' 'I tend to see colour everywhere and I notice colour combinations that work in everyday objects and places. 'I'm hugely into nature and I walk Reenagross here everyday in Kenmare and I feel like I see a different pop of colour every time. 'At the moment the purples of the rhododendron have filled the woods as they are in bloom and the contrast with the green is stunning.' Of her own style Doireann is a mix-and-match, splish-splash kind of dresser. Quirky, free spirited and blended beautifully with her bubbly personality. 'I'm very particular about clothing and my style. I love colour but nothing too chaotic or loud – just beautiful pops of colour,' she admits. 'I am also very into the quality of my pieces and I would rather purchase one good piece than a few that won't last or wash well. I love to mix styles too.' Summer Lovin' Adidas Gazelle sneakers €120 Summer is here – and that means free flowing skirts, daisy duke denim shorts, loose fitting tees and lots and lots and lots of colour. Summer should be the easiest time of the year to dress your best (there's no need to dither over whether it's a duffle or overcoat kind of day). It's easy-peasy summer breezy dressing of simply jumping into a skirt, shorts or linen trousers with summer sandals or scruffy sneakers and off you pop – looking like Little Miss Sunshine herself. Although that said, this is Ireland and while we have just enjoyed some unseasonably sun-filled weeks, rainy spells are upon us. So investing in a fun raincoat will not only add an extra dimension to your daywear it will also keep you dry and can be scrunched up and stuffed into a bag when the sun reappears. Stereo-Stripes The commonly held sartorial belief is that that vertical stripes are slimming while horizontal stripes can be unflatteringly fattening. However, to quote that dapper dresser himself Donald J Trump 'fake news, fake news'. The contrary is in fact true, and horizontal stripes are more flattering. And if you don't believe me, then trust the science… The stripes fashion myth was debunked back in 1925 by a German psychologist Hermann von Helmholtz. And hey, who wouldn't trust a guy called Hermann when it comes to fashion choices. Known as the Helmholtz illusion, Helmholtz's explanation of the illusion was that a filled out area looks longer than an unfilled area of the same size. So rock those horizontals – the more colourful the better – with pride. Say it with pride I am a sucker for slogan tees, though I actively steer clear from any slogan tees beating the 'be kind' or 'Save the planet' blah blah nonsense. I prefer instead to have my style say something with a bit more individuality and depth. These Begley & Bowie slogan tees are bright, bubbly and bespoke. Come GAA final season, ditch your county jersey for something with a bit more swag like a Begley & bowie county name tee. My other all-time favourite slogan tee website is Truffle Shuffle which have an eclectic range of 80's cartoons like The Care Bears – right up to today's hit movies like Lilo & Stitch. Jeepers Sneakers Big chunky platform trainers appear to have – pun intended – run their course. Instead, petite plimsoll sneakers are back en vogue. The slim sneakers are more ladylike and far less chunky and can add that girlie touch to any outfit. Erica Stoll, the wife of champion golfer Rory McIlroy, exemplified this type of style when she was course-side cheering on Rory when he won the Masters at Augusta. While Rory took home the green jacket, Erica's sartorial win was a simple, yet, standout pair of Golden Goose trainers. At €490, Erica's particular pair of runners are pricey but there is a vast range of affordable similar type runners to choose from like Doireann's pink Adidas Gazelles. Photography by Evan DohertyHair by Jessica DowdallMakeup by Ciara O'Toole Shot on location at Dunloe Hotel & Gardens, Killarney, Co Kerry
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Bring joy into your life this summer through the art of dressing
As summer sits on the horizon, what could be more fun than bringing joy into our lives through the art of dressing? According to science, what we wear can instantly uplift our day, so embracing dopamine-dressing is a no-brainer. To lift your mood, look to energy-boosting green or tangy orange for a zesty approach to summer dressing. Get The Look: Revive your summer style with a joy-inducing burst of colour, as seen at Joanne Hynes X Dunnes Stores. Pocket Friendly: Purple Reign: Fashion Gingko Earrings, €58, Capulet And Montague Take a dip into the bright side with these mood-boosting earrings, €58, Capulet & Montague. Hotline: Fashion Cassia Phone Bag, €130, LANDA Don't let your phone be too hot to handle with this ruby crossbody bag, €130, LANDA. #ieloves: High Flyer: Fashion Charlie Bomber, €315, Begley & Bowie Fly high over the sartorial rainbow in this dopamine-inducing bomber jacket, €315, Begley & Bowie. Green Energy: Fashion Green Shirred Dress, €185, Never Fully Dressed This enviable green maxi dress is the boost your summer wardrobe needs, €185, Never Fully Dressed. Print Off: Fashion Bandan Print Mint Cotton Trousers, €145, Essentiel Antwerp Go bold with a fresh take on playful prints, €145, Essentiel Antwerp. Zest For Life: Fashion Orange Waisted Shirt, €29.99, H&M Breathe new life into your summer style with a splash of orange zest, €29.99, H&M. Power Puff: Fashion Yellow Puff Ball Midi Skirt, €52, V by Very Stay mellow in yellow with the easy-to-wear puff ball midi skirt, €52, V by Very. Spanish Steps: Fashion Espadrille Sandal,€115, Matthew Williamson X Kurt Geiger. Step into holiday mode with the summer-ready espadrille sandal, €115, Matthew Williamson X Kurt Geiger. You've Been Framed: Fashion Pink Sunglasses, €20, M&S Be pretty in pink while having fun with the finishing touches, €20, M&S. Read More How to wear butter yellow — this season's trending colour
