Style Notes: Róisín Linnane’s new lightweight taffeta and Caoimhe Grant’s ruche bags

In recent years, she has used a textured, satin-back taffeta to great effect, and the silhouettes, which really hold their shape in this fabric, have been instant winners on the racing circuit and for special-occasion dressing.

The big news for SS24 is that Róisín has introduced new shapes in this fabric, including the ‘Okra’ coat, and a shorter version, a coat/jacket hybrid called the ‘Val’.

And, in other exciting news, she has introduced pieces in a new, crisp, lightweight taffeta, which has a lovely sense of movement. It is ideal for packing and wearing in warmer climates and there are a number of sleeveless dresses. But more of that anon.

Let’s start with those coats, because, for me, that is my number-one go-to new purchase each season.

Sitting in her studio in Naas, Róisín reflected on the success of her ‘Jones’ coat, with its statement bow at the neck. “For years, we were missing that piece that went over everything, to finish everything off.”

Building on the popularity of the ‘Jones’, the ‘Okra’ swing coat comes in a textured taffeta in shade rose. It has a box pleat in the back and pretty three-quarter bell sleeves, and costs €995.

For underneath, there are a number of options in the same fabric. The ‘Kelby’ dress is A-line with a bow detail on the neckline (€580), and the high-waisted ‘Halston’ skirt (€495) has a lovely swing thanks to the box pleat. There’s also the ‘Remy’ round-neck top (€359) or the ‘Willa’ V-neck top with frilled sleeve (€359), and they come in a range of colours, including rose, shell pink, coral, silver, black and ivory.

Róisín’s ‘Val’ coat (€595) is a hybrid and a handy one in my books, falling somewhere between a short coat and a long jacket, and it has drop shoulders, high collar and edge-to-edge front.

Photographed in silver at the shoot, it looked chic worn with the ‘Twig’ cropped tailored, cigarette-end trousers (€325), so lots of mix-and-match options for wearing at different occasions.

Róisín has used the lightweight taffeta to great effect in a blue ‘Cleome’ wrap dress (€580) with kimono sleeve, elasticated waist and a dipped hemline, longer at the back.

She has used this fabric in white, black, shell pink and a very striking bubblegum pink. There’s skirts, matching tops, and she has also done the ‘Okra’ coat in this lighter taffeta in black (€995).

With hot summer days on the horizon, she has a number of sleeveless dress options, such as the A-line ‘Gardinea’ with cap sleeve (€580). I was immediately drawn to the ‘Soleil’ (€580), with a ruched neck with bow detail and gathered skirt with a dipped hem.

While she has dresses with sleeves, I enquired about the ones without, especially because she is so good at always including pockets.

“A bit of tan on your arms,” says Róisín, with a smile.

“Honestly, the amount of women I have seen in every shape and size going sleeveless in the last couple of years, it has been unbelievable. When you have the volume, you have to show some skin somewhere, and women have found a confidence and are not afraid to show their arms now.”

Róisín has done silhouettes this season in both weights of taffeta and has also extended her cotton range. roisinlinnane.com

August Night

There is no separation between day to evening in Caoimhe Grant’s August Night range of handbags.

“It was how the brand started, to have a bag that feels special, something special for every day,” says Caoimhe.

In her new SS24 collection, she has built on the success of her frill and ruche bag stories introduced last season.

The new additions are a large ruche tote (€295), a micro ruche crossbody (€275), the mini ruche in taffeta (€275), and she has also introduced a tucked sunhat in a techno taffeta and cotton canvas, which is fully adjustable and has a drawstring closure at the back (€95).

Last season, Caoimhe sent hearts racing with her mirrored fabrications and, this season, she has done a mirrored silver twist tote (€250) and also a large ruche tote in a stunning gilded silver cotton which, she explains, were inspired by the album artwork cover of Goldfrapp’s Silver Eye.

This season’s tonal palette wraps round shades of honey and moss green made in a techno taffeta that is water-resistant, and the fabric also pops up in her new hat.

There’s also raspberry pink and cobalt blue in her signature bow styles and, in her shoot, she shows lots of love and support for other Irish designers, such as Colin Horgan, Jennifer Slattery and Daki Daki Jewellery. augustnight.ie