Star adds kudos to designer’s €2 cape

The sale of a charity shop cape made for Florence and the Machine by a young West Cork designer is set to attract further international interest.

The singer fell in love with the transformed tablecloth — which is going up for auction — and sported it at shows in LA and Australia.

Designer Alice Halliday took a punt on the plucky flame-haired star when she fashioned the crystal-encrusted cape from a €2 lace tablecloth.

The 24-year-old design graduate, who hails from near Castletownshend, Skibbereen, spent 40 hours perfecting it with Florence Welch in mind before contacting the star’s stylist.

Welch’s stylist told Alice “Flo loves it” and the garment went on to feature as part of Welch’s 2010 world tour.

Embellished with an edging of dark sequins, beading and a layer of vintage Swarovski crystals, the cape earned Alice international recognition and went on to feature in Vogue magazine and on RTÉ’s Off the Rails.

“I lent the cape to Florence’s stylist Aldene Johnson shortly after I graduated from the University for Creative Arts in Epsom [England],” said Alice. “I couldn’t believe it when she told me Florence loved it and that it was going in her tour wardrobe.”

She hopes brides-to-be, costume collectors, haute couture lovers, and Florence fans will bid on the online auction, with a reserve price of just under €1,600.

The proceeds will go towards the cash-strapped designer’s fledgling fashion business and help her pay off student loans.

“It is a very special piece with huge sentimental and monetary value but I would be happy for it to go to a good home. There is a reserve put on it so it will be interesting to see if anyone bids high enough to win the auction.”

The cape formed part of Alice’s graduate collection from the University for Creative Arts in London, Soul Salvation, and the auction takes place on eBay until Monday.