Desire Lines: Dramatic designs are on the menu this New Years
New Year, new you, new clothes.
Mayo native Sasha Donnellan was tipped as one to watch at this year’s inaugural Ireland Fashion Week — that prediction is already coming to fruition. This month, Laura Whitmore stepped onto the British Fashion Awards red carpet in a custom off-white silk gown by the designer, a moment that firmly placed Donnellan on the international radar.
Having honed her craft while working for leading fashion house Vivienne Westwood, drama is a key feature of her designs, but there is also a beautiful softness. Sustainability underpins everything she does, with deadstock fabrics and natural, biodegradable fibres forming the backbone of her collections.
On our wishlist? The Lupus Woollen Mini Cape, made with 100% wool from deadstock, and lined with 100% silk, €450.
If you’re on the road a good bit, you may have noticed a new snazzy coffee station in Eurospar, Spar, Londis and Mace stores acorss the country. Brevato, which offers everything from iced lattes to oat flat whites at the touch of a button, is now in 20 locations across eight counties. Dermot Whelan, the brand’s ambassador, is encouraging people to team their coffee with the SIP technique this festive season; stop, inhale and be present.
Ringing in the new year in Dublin? There’s still room at the glamorous Sole Seafood & Grill, on South William Street in the city centre. Their three-course New Year’s Eve lunch costs €57 with a three-course New Year’s Eve dinner available from 4.30pm for €77.50. If you’re looking to dine as a group, their elegant new private dining rooms are perfect for your private party. The Cove seats 14 while The Vault accommodates 44, giving you additional stylish spaces for an intimate celebration.
Penneys has done a deep dive into the biggest sellers for 2025.
The biggest shopping day so far was November 29 as people wrapped up to beat the cold weather surge. But one of Ireland’s biggest buys of the year was denim, up 16% on 2025. With new styles from barrel to wide leg, we bought around 2000 pairs a day in Ireland. Check out the Patch Pocket Mid-Rise Flared Jeans, mid-rise jeans with a flared fit, patch pockets and zip fastening, €200.
Just when we thought we could put our sunglasses away, the low-lying winter sun has us reaching for our sunnies in the car.
Specsavers’ winter options include their designer range, from Vivienne Westwood to Elton John. But it was these Marc Jacobs frames, é200, that caught our eye. The good news? If you like a style, any pair can be transformed into sunglasses.
For people exploring extras, from Super Drive lens options if you spend a lot of time behind the wheel to Super Digital for those tied to their screens, Specsavers in Opera Lane Cork is celebrating 35 years in business, and store manager Trina Horgan is quite the expert – she’s been there since it first opened in 1990.
Cork-based illustrator and designer Susan Mulcahy has opened a very special pop-up in the run up to Christmas.
Located in Douglas Court next to Dunnes Stores, she will be there daily until Christmas Eve (9.30am - 6pm everyday bar Sunday, 12pm - 6pm). Her plushie Christmas decorations (€9 each or three for €24) are super popular, we also adore her eccletic range of stationery and stickers (from €2).
And for that special person in your life? Her Cork-themed cozy sherpa blankets (€99) are the perfect present.
Butlers’ Christmas chocolates are a gift in a box. From Christmas cracker shapes to advent calendars, to the brand new super cute nutcracker bars, there’s something for everyone.
It’s your last minute present buy.
- Compiled by Vickie Maye, Nicole Glennon and Jillian Bolger, weekend@examiner.ie
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