Brendan Courtney’s Style Tips

As the charity campaign, #Shop4Crumlin draws to a close this weekend, we take five with Ireland’s most foremost fashion advisor, Brendan Courtney. Below, he tells us a little about the campaign, the key trends for your wardrobe in 2015 and the looks he’d like to see the back of.

Tell us about #Shop4Crumlin and who/why people should get involved?
Shop4Crumlin is a genius initiative to raise much-needed funds for Crumlin Children’s Hospital by asking people to spend their One4All Gift Cards – because during Shoppers Week (the 9th until the 17th of May) One4All will donate 50cent on every purchase made with a One4all Gift Card and for every purchase you make in Brown Thomas, Debenhams, Arnotts, Lifestyle Sports and Marks and Spencer with your One4all, they’ll donate an additional 50cent – genius!

What does 2015 have in store for yourself and Frock Advisor?
We just opened our London office, and we hold the UK’s Fashion Independents Day on the 28th May and then it’s off New York in August! GULP

We are in love with Lennon Courtney, how does it feel to be a household fashion designer with so much love for the brand?
It is an honour and a privilege to do something you love!??What are your key pieces for 2015? Our hero dress is a must for every woman’s wardrobe!

What trends are you glad to see the back of now?
Boot Cut jeans on boys, I’ve never liked cowboy boots either.

What do you suggest as the 3 things worth having in your wardrobe for 2015?
A navy blazer, skinny chinos and the perfect white shirt (this applies to men AND women!)

Tell us about your app – what does it do?
The app is for fashion fans in ‘search of ‘something different?, by uniting independent retail (boutiques) we bring together all the worlds hidden treasures and through using a fotocon (post a picture of what you are looking for) the boutiques will respond with a picture of something similar!

#Shop4Crumlin

The research into our shopping habits was carried out by One4all to launch its new Shop4Crumlin campaign – #Shop4Crumlin – taking place from 9th – 17th May. This is a week- long initiative aiming to encourage people to dig out their One4all gift cards and know that while they are spending them they are also donating to a great cause, the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation (CMRF), the principle fundraising body for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin.

We’re a nation who loves to shop. That’s according to a new survey by gift card company One4all, which reveals that 87% of Irish people say they love a bit of retail therapy and almost half (46%) say they would even describe it as a hobby. However, it seems as a country we’re becoming a lot more conscious in how and why we shop, with two thirds (67%) claiming they’re more likely to make a purchase if it’s supporting a good cause or the environment.

– 87% say they love shopping

– 46% say it’s a hobby

– Two thirds (67%) say they are more likely to purchase something if it’s supporting a cause

– 74% give unwanted clothes to charity

– 1 in 5 (21%) shop for new clothes every week, 38% shop once a month

– 90% spend up to €200 per month on clothes

– 70% say they try and justify their purchases to themselves

– I’ll get loads of wear out of it is as our number one excuse to justify shopping

– 78% usually treat themselves to something new when they reach a milestone

– 60% use shopping to cheer themselves up

http://www.lennoncourtney.com/