Avocadesigner creatingabuzz abouttweed
A YOUNG Wicklow designer is attracting a whole new fanbase for traditional Irish tweed by creating a stunning range of designs for men, ladies and children.
‘Love Mo Chuisle’ is the brainchild of Avoca native Anna Dobson, a Fashion and Textiles graduate who has long nurtured a love for tweed, describing it as ‘chic, classic and incredibly versatile’.
Irish singer songwriter Declan O’Rourke is just one famous face who has supported the brand.
Though just a year in business, Anna has built up a dedicated following for her beautiful hand crafted range of brightly coloured tweeds, using a palette of mustards, bright blues, raspberries and autumn green plaid, alongside the traditional grey and navy herringbone tweeds.
‘Love Mo Chuisle’ has created men’s and boy’s matching waistcoats, ties and bow-ties and the capsule collection also includes ladies fitted fashionable box pleat coats and dresses with a contrasting palette.
Complimenting the classic
Ladies and Men’s range is a matching children’s collection, which caters for a niche market.
‘I saw an opening for top quality children’s tweed. It’s perfect occasion wear and ideal for keeping warm on chilly days. The girls’ collection includes cut panelled coats, hooded capes, matching dress and a colourful array of matching accessories. There was nobody else doing this and I am getting a wonderful reaction from customers. They appreciate that Irish tweed is an interwoven and intrinsic part of our culture and love the fact that I am broadening its appeal,’ says Anna.
She adds that she believes there is beauty in tradition.
‘With tweed you can never be unfashionable, it is timeless and classic. What I am doing is designing a contemporary collection which is adding to its allure. It’s a wonderful fabric to work with; it’s natural and breathable, hard wearing and warm. All my pieces are cotton fused which makes them super soft and also helps to ensure they fall beautifully.’
Anna has praised the Acorns project run by the Dept of Agriculture to benefit Rural Entrepreneurs which supported her in starting up her enterprise.
‘Acorns is a wonderful initiative for female rural entrepreneurs. It has provided me huge support, advice and camaraderie and has really been the springboard from which my Tweed label, Love Mo Chuisle, has flourished. I would urge women living in Wicklow to get in contact with Acorns. It will give them all the help they need. They have been invaluable to me.’