You know if you read my blogs, I like to buy Irish goods, from food to tees to yarn it makes good sense. Buying local decreases fuel costs associated with an item and also supports the culture of your country or region. From a style perspective it helps you stay in touch with trends and classics emerging locally. In Ireland, we love our fashion and I notice that a year after things are hot and “must have” in Cork they are all the rage in the States so being in touch with style in Ireland often gives you a glimpse into the future of American fashion as well. So, look at what is about to be hot in Cork or London and you’ll see it on Gossip Girl in six to ten months. Well, that’s my theory anyway.
Launched in the summer of 2012, Kiyoni is an Irish label created from the desire to explore the connection between fashion and art; two worlds that allow them to express their creativity, thoughts and imagination. We all love self-expression and when it is done by artists whose creative minds spark such beautiful creations, well that’s when it becomes fashion and art! Kiyoni creates luxury scarves through fine craftsmanship and superior fabrics, where artistic and surrealist influence is at the core of everything they do. The scarf above is Paper Castle. Don’t you just love the detail on the edges?
Kiyoni’s collection is created from the work of established surrealist artist James McKeon, who has for over thirty years exhibited in the Irish and international contemporary art scene. A self-taught artist raised in London, James returned to Ireland in his early twenties where his experiences lead him to pursue a career as a professional artist.
As James said, “I’ve always had a vivid imagination, some of my earliest memories are of painting and sketching, and it was a talent that naturally developed as I grew up in London. I was fascinated with the process, the emotion involved in creating something new, and it was art that allowed me to express my thoughts and capture memories. My designs typically draw inspiration from fairy tales and fables, stories full of hopes, fear, memories and beliefs waiting to be explored”.
His involvement in fashion came later in life after experimenting with printing techniques and fabrics he had been exposed to from his son’s study at the Grafton Academy in Dublin.
Kiyoni will be stocked at Project 51 on South William Street, Dublin 2 from Mid-September. We hope you will be inspired and enchanted by their collection, where beauty, functionality, practicality and pure luxury are in perfect harmony.
In the meantime or if you can’t make it to Dublin, you can admire Kiyoni’s decadent and imaginative scarves on Facebook and their website, www.kiyoni.com. You can also check out their latest collection on Pinterest!
Now, take a look at their scarves (there are more designs than those pictured in this post) and I’d love to hear which is your favorite. I know my favorite! It is Dream Garden (below) which for some reason reminds me of a zoo-themed Hermes scarf of my Mom’s.
(The real ones with cotton/paper only NO plastic elements)
(I love how this acts as a de-tangler and style assist)
(This stuff does wonders for baby’s cheeks and chin when drool irritates the skin, keeping them soft and reducing redness and discomfort. One tub lasts FOREVER!)
(I’m a Marylander, this is a must!)
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(mine got me through Italy and France)
for Schlor, wine, or juice bottles
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