A Trip to Showcase Ireland

I'm just home from 3 days in Dublin at Showcase Ireland and I wanted to do a quick blog post to share some of the lovely Irish brands I came across at the show. It was such a privilege to meet the people behind the brands and have time to talk and look at their ranges. 

I'm also going to share 2 of my cheat outfits - I showed you the try on session on my last post and although I didn't have time to take a photo on Sunday, I do have pictures of me wearing the two dresses that I bought after that try on.

So just for some context, Showcase is a trade show for shops and departments stores to come and look for new stockists and I was there with my day job - which in turn was there in its new identity - Field Day Ireland. One of the reasons Alix asked me to come work for her was to help with the rebranding of the company and the launch of our new luxury candle brand Field Apothecary Ireland.

Both Field Apothecary & Field Day Ireland will launch officially in March so for now, I'll just show you the images of our new look and feel and I'll share all the gorgeous new fragrances and tell you where you can find them once we do the changeover officially and the website build is complete (my next few week's work - eek!). So until then, we are Bog Standard - with a sale starting soon! Here's the main range which looks and feels very similar but with some fab new fragrances like 'Gorse' and 'Fireside'

And this is our luxury essential oil candle with 6 of the most intriguing and incredible fragrances I've ever smelt. I have no idea how Alix does it - they are truly stunning. Everyone was wowed by them - especially the Rain one. My favourite is the Ivy.

So you'll be the first to hear about these when they launch but if you're on Facebook, please would you give the Field Apothecary Facebook page a like? I'd be so grateful as we've only just started using it and it's been a lonely few days on there!

Moving on now to some of the other brands I came across at the show. Every time I had 5 minutes peace, I was away with my camera taking photos...so I'll start with Tory Long, a jewellery designer based in Dublin but who is originally from near Belfast. Her pieces are beautiful and really well priced. You can see some of them on her website on this link.

Ciara Silke makes the mast amazing printed 100% silk scarves (and yes, that really is her name!). The colours are just so stunning and unique. You can see more on her Facebook page here.

Waters & Wild is based in West Cork and using only the finest raw and organic ingredients from around the world, makes certified organic perfumes. The fragrances are remarkable....it's always difficult to describe these things but to pick something that many of you will relate to, they were reminiscent of the Jo Malone cologne intense range. However, they are a much more natural and authentic kind of fragrance...when I sprayed the Waters & Wild Rose & Oud and then went back to the JM Velvet Rose & Oud the next day, the latter suddenly seemed a little synthetic. You can read their story and find out more on the website here and they sell small samples of the perfume too so you can try a little before committing to a larger bottle.

This scarf addict was loving the patterns on these beautiful pieces by Wild Cocoon made in my mother's home county of Mayo, in the west of Ireland.

Directly beside us on the Field Day stand, we had 'The Pear in Paper' - a Donegal company that makes original cards and prints using letter press and lino print techniques. I was particularly drawn to their greetings cards...especially their mother's day cards. You can see the card range on this link and also find stockist details.

Jando Design were also close by to us and I fell in love with their city prints - especially the Dublin ones. They are working on a range of Belfast ones too...keep an eye on their website for more details - on this link.

and a last couple of jewellery designers to finish, starting with Jill Graham. I saw a lady wearing the piece in my picture and was immediately drawn to it...so unusual. You can see these and the rest of Jill's collections on this link.

and finishing with Chupi - a brand I've been following on social media for a while and I have to confess to having a real fan girl moment when we met Chupi herself. She's just how she comes across on Insta stories - so friendly and like the bags she was handing out to potential stockists (and to me!) she does leave a little sparkle wherever she goes... (see below!)

Finishing with me wearing the two dresses I bought after my Warehouse try on - you can get all the links on the post itself. I had my poor boss Alix tormented taking photos - as if she wasn't busy enough already! These photos are playing silly buggers by the way and won't centre, change size or let me add a caption or type below them. Eye roll....I'm off to bed. Can't cope.

Ax

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