Two Nations, One Sense of Style

By James McLaren & Emy Moore

In Dublin for Ireland Fashion Week, we were lucky enough to wear designers and brands from Scotland and Ireland, finding common ground in considered tailoring, independent design and pieces with a point of view. From heritage names to contemporary accessories, these are the looks we wore throughout the week - and the labels worth knowing on both sides of the Irish Sea.

A Heritage of Style

Founded in 1989, Walker Slater has established itself as one of Scotland's best-known names in traditional tailoring. With its roots in the Scottish Highlands and its home now firmly established in Edinburgh, the brand has built a reputation around quality tweeds, classic British tailoring and a modern appreciation for Scottish textile heritage.

For Dublin, James wore the complete Edward three-piece suit in Shetland Donegal Tobacco, including the matching waistcoat and trousers. A green stag-motif tie added another layer of character, bringing a little colour to the warm, earthy tones of the tweed. The result was a traditional Scottish tailoring look that felt entirely at home in Dublin.

Emy wore the Iona jacket with Walker Slater's matching Victoria skirt, both in Shetland Donegal Tobacco. A crisp white shirt kept the combination feeling fresh, while the coordinated tweed brought a sense of structure and heritage to the look.

The Victoria is a fitted, knee-length skirt with a distinctive tulip waistband, offering a more contemporary silhouette alongside the longer, single-button Iona jacket. Together, the pieces demonstrate the versatility of traditional Scottish tweed beyond conventional tailoring.

Completing Emy's look was the Ériu Clutch in Bordeaux by Belfast-based designer Gráinne Maher. The brand takes inspiration from Irish identity, combining considered craftsmanship with contemporary accessories. Its bags are designed in Belfast and made in Tuscany, bringing together an Irish creative perspective with Italian leatherworking.

The structured silhouette and rich burgundy finish made the Ériu a particularly considered addition to the outfit. It is a good example of an accessory doing more than simply finishing a look.

Independent by Design

Irish label SoRoe takes a playful approach to occasionwear, with pieces designed and handmade in Ireland. Its collections bring a sense of individuality to dressing, with an emphasis on distinctive details and designs that make an impression.

Emy wore the Mini Dotty Cape over a satin slip dress in a similar tone, creating a layered look that played with texture rather than colour. The delicate pattern and soft movement of the cape offered a contrast to the smoother finish of the satin, giving the overall outfit a sense of occasion without becoming overly formal.

Belfast-based designer Maya Grisham specialises in distinctive crystal handbags, bringing a playful perspective to traditional evening accessories. Her designs balance craftsmanship with a sense of humour, creating pieces that are as much conversation starters as they are accessories.

Emy's Espresso Martini Crystal Cocktail Bag was one of the more characterful accessories of the week. Inspired by the familiar cocktail, its embellished design makes a statement without taking itself too seriously. A little personality in an otherwise considered look.

The Finishing Touch

Scottish accessories label C.Nicol brings a contemporary perspective to traditional materials, with tartan playing a central role in its collections. The brand's approach is a reminder that heritage textiles needn't be reserved for the expected applications.

Emy carried the Kate 2.0 Tartan Bag, combining traditional tartan with clean detailing for a more contemporary finish. With its distinctive pattern and versatile styling, it offered a considered nod to Scottish design while adding another layer of texture to the week's wardrobe.

Time Well Spent

With a history dating back to 1840, Laings is a family-owned Scottish jeweller with a long-standing reputation for fine watches and jewellery. Its pre-owned collection offers another way to approach luxury watchmaking, bringing established names and enduring designs back into circulation.

Emy wore a pre-owned Cartier Tank Française, measuring 20 x 25mm. First introduced in the 1990s, the Tank Française brought a more contemporary, integrated bracelet design to Cartier's established Tank collection.

The compact stainless-steel watch, with its unmistakable rectangular case and Roman numeral dial, offered a refined finishing touch. It is a reminder that some of the best accessories are those that have already stood the test of time.

James wore a pre-owned TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph, a 36mm stainless-steel model. With its classic dial, chronograph detailing and sporting character, it has the understated appeal that has made the Carrera such an enduring name in watchmaking. A watch with a history of its own, and all the better for it.

Designed to Be Different

Glasgow-founded eyewear brand IOLLA has made its name by bringing considered design and accessible pricing together. With its own showrooms and a broad collection of optical frames and sunglasses, the brand offers an alternative to the traditional designer eyewear market.

Emy wore the Ness sunglasses, a bold, geometric frame that brought a sharper finish to her look. The chocolate-toned version offers a softer alternative to black, while retaining the strong silhouette that makes the style stand out.

Returning to Gráinne Maher's collection, Emy carried the Anu Mini in black. The Irish designer's accessories combine sculptural shapes with considered detailing, drawing on elements of Irish identity without becoming overly literal.

The Anu Mini has a structured silhouette, with a distinctive Celtic-knot detail at the flap fastening. Its detachable strap allows it to be carried by hand or worn over the shoulder, giving the piece a versatility that works equally well for daytime and evening.

Dublin-based artist and designer Conor O'Brien works across fashion, textiles, handcraft and material culture. His practice draws on traditional techniques while exploring contemporary approaches to garment construction, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and considered use of materials. His work moves between wearable design and artistic expression, making him an interesting name within Ireland's independent fashion scene.

For Ireland Fashion Week, both James and Emy wore garments made by Conor himself. Emy wore a velvet burgundy and black silk dress, styled as a top, with black Irish linen three-quarter-length trousers. James opted for an off-white cotton shirt with navy Irish linen trousers.

The two looks offered different interpretations of the same design sensibility, with natural fabrics, thoughtful proportions and a relaxed approach to dressing. There was something particularly interesting about wearing pieces made by an independent Irish designer while in Dublin – a direct connection between the clothes, the craft and the place.

There is a natural connection between Scottish and Irish design, particularly when it comes to an appreciation for craftsmanship, heritage materials and independent makers. What made the week interesting was seeing how differently those ideas could be interpreted, from traditional tweed and Irish linen to sculptural leather goods and more playful accessories.

Rather than dressing to a particular formula, the looks became a reflection of the designers and brands we were fortunate enough to discover along the way. A shared appreciation for individuality, with plenty of room for personal interpretation.