Fashion Shoot
With its newly launched TC collection of handbags and sunglasses and its Luminosity jewellery range, Tipperary Crystal is firmly claiming a new place in our style lives
A long way from Tipperary
Now that our mild weather is truly past, and with all the adaptability that life and fashion encourages, we are consuming outerwear, handbags and boots like creatures possessed. But then maybe you, like me, learned the hard way — when those pieces are particularly good, they sell out fast, and not-getting-to-buy remorse sets in. She who hesitates, loses.
This winter is a fantastic outerwear season. I am loving all the sumptuous and gorgeous coats around, be they mega-aspirational, striking pieces by Alexander McQueen and Calvin Klein, or Michael Mortell’s excellent navy trenchcoat in Dunnes Stores, and cool rainwear made of recycled plastics by Tretorn.
We in Ireland are total handbag junkies. But then, they are not only infinitely practical (and thus a justifiable spend), they are a dead easy way to update our wardrobes.
Avid Rose of Tralee watchers may have noticed in recent years, but especially this year, that the Roses were beautifully decked out with pretty jewellery and watches by Tipperary Crystal, and from its new collection, Luminosity.
This month sees the company launching its next foray into women’s accessories, the significant new direction being handbags and sunglasses, under new brand, TC, the brainchild of Tipperary Crystal’s MD, Robbie Scanlan, and his wife, Karen Scanlan.
Designed here in Ireland, under Karen’s stewardship, TC is a fashion-savvy, affordable range for contemporary-style-minded women. That means that not only are the bags attractive, they have function at their core.
There are crossbodies and backpacks for the walkers, oversize totes for the hoarders (guilty as charged), purses, clutches, and elegant day bags, including style favourite, the saddle bag.
The TC collection is strong on this fashion season’s tans, as well as go-anywhere black and navy. Surprisingly for me (school uniform legacy), I loved TC’s dove-grey handbag, pictured left, with the Massimo Dutti trenchcoat. It knocks what could be a hard look into something more feminine. The TC sunglasses range features big frame shapes, and matches the bags for fashion appeal.
Tipperary Crystal is not a brand I associate with fashion, although they have been doing jewellery and homewares for quite some time. Clearly, it intends to be a player on our fashion scene. Its packaging is very strong. With Christmas coming, TC could be the answer to your gift problems. Or a nice treat for yourself.