Some pieces in your wardrobe are classic for a reason, for example, a black blazer or a camel trench or a crisp white shirt. Often we like these in the classic style as they are effortless and timeless and can make you look put together when you are running out the door! It is rare that I like to see these classics too over-done or ‘reinvented’ as sometimes it was better as it was. BUT that was before I saw the new Peter O’Brien creations.
Peter O’Brien was born in London and returned to Ireland when he was very young and I probably think of him more as an Irish Designer than a British one but I digress. He has had the near perfect training experience from studying in Saint Martins School Of Art and then onto Parsons School of Design to do his post-graduate. From there he worked at Christian Dior under Marc Bohan, and then at Givenchy, and then onto being a senior designer at Chloé. In 1989 he was appointed the creative director at Rochas until his return back to Ireland.
And since then he has created under his own Haute Couture label as well as Awear and Arnotts, but it is his most recent collection for high street retailer Dunnes Stores that really has captured my imagination. For he has recreated the Classic White Shirt in the most beautiful way.
There are 3 shirts in the 18 piece collection and each is individual in its own way. The above pleat edge shirt has beautiful detailing around the cuffs and I love how the back is lower than the front. The simple cover over the buttons and then the pleated flourish makes this a piece that you can style so many different ways and the pleating would look stunning even worn more casual with a pair of jeans.
This is the more refined in all but the cuff. And the cuff is wonderful. This would look so stylish with a blazer and the cuff detailing peeping out from the sleeves. And in another twist, the cuffs are actually detachable! I love the different options that this gives to this shirt, and it is certainly one that you could wear a number of ways.
This is by far my favourite and the one that I have purchased from the collection. It is so polished with the tight cuffs and classic shape but then the bow just adds a wonderful sense of playfulness to the shirt. The tailoring on this in person is beautiful and I am delighted to add it to my wardrobe, it is something that I will have for years as I now only buy pieces that I know I will love to wear time and time again.
And I just have to share this coat with you also, it is beautifully elegant and so chic and stylish. This is one that you could hand down generation to generation as it will never go out of style. In stock and retails for €320.
And if the above is slightly out of your price range in the run-up to Christmas – he has also created a stunning limited edition 2019 diary/artbook. Each month is illustrated with one of Peter’s signature theatre/fashion drawings. The A5 hardback book is limited to 500 only, with each one stamped and signed by Peter, and costs €40 (plus postage). You can buy it from here.
