Posts tagged George Horn

Fashion Diary of Mrs. Mom: Lanificio Colombo, the Finest Noble Fibres from Italy

Fashion Mrs. Mom Outfit Post 6 Comments

My dear fashionistas, welcome to another fashion story on the pages of the Mr.M blog! For years, I have been trying to justify your trust and to inspire women in their prime to change the way they look at life and introduce novelty into their everyday life through my vision of fashion. Today I will present to you some new fashion novelties that have arrived in my wardrobe – Lanificio Colombo, George Horn and LANDA.

This unexpected hobby of mine and writing fashion stories became interesting to me because I noticed that people found my stories interesting and inspiring. Honestly, I did not expect that my writing of fashion stories would be such a success, and I am immensely grateful for your wonderful messages, as well as for the selfless support you give me every day.

Today I will introduce you to one of the most famous Italian brands of quiet luxury because this brand is extremely popular in the world due to its distinctive refined elegance and minimalism, characteristics that normally adorn all famous brands that stand out as representatives of quiet luxury.

Lanificio Luigi Colombo is the world’s largest producer of cashmere and fine fibres fabrics. Transforming cashmere, stronger cashmere, jaggery, goat wool, guanaco, vicuña and camel hair into products that express the family’s passion for precious fibres. Interpreting the spirit of our time through the quality culture of Lanificio Colombo products.

There are words that are used day by day so excessively and often without thinking that their true meaning is diluted. Words like luxury and quality are often followed by adjectives that end up giving a completely different meaning. For example, “affordable luxury” is used to elevate products that are simply well-made.

To recover this sense of expression that needs to be handled with care, it is enough to get to know the Colombo family. They represent an ideal of perfection that requires a truly strong will. It is a subtle balance that arises from contrasts – speed/slowness, modernity/tradition, the hallmark of this particular style that transforms the luxury of cashmere, guanaco and vicuña into an experience of personal pleasure, without a hint of ostentatiousness.

These processes could be described as “moral” because Lanificio Colombo adheres to the most ethical principles while respecting both nature and man. Above all, this means preserving the principles of respect and the code of conduct that Mr. Luigi Colombo left as a legacy to future generations. It was 1938 and Luigi was eleven years old when his seriously ill father Roberto gave him a moral will that his grandchildren still follow today. It also happens in a land of Calvinist austerity, where work is a value that affects life and behavior and where people put their heart into their work.

The Lanificio Luigi Colombo brand is named after its founder. A very charismatic artist and researcher, from the very beginning he focused his attention on the niche sector of precious fibers. The 1970s brought a second generation to the company. After laying the foundations of a solid entrepreneurial capacity, the change of generations was a turning point for the company’s success at the international level. Important and constant investments in technology and research and development, in support of a workforce rich in valuable artisanal skills, have been the guidelines for the development of Lanificio Colombo.

The Lanificio Colombo brand is one of the few that always faithfully adheres to ethical codes in order to protect the environment, animals and domestic population, and follows its ecological business growth strategy. With the completion of the “BE GREEN” sustainability project, new important goals have already been achieved. The moral will that Mr. Luigi Colombo, the founder of the company, handed down to his son Roberto is still valid today, respecting the teachings of those who preceded them in order to pass them on to future generations to come.

The entire production takes place in two Italian historical factories, Borgosesia and Ghemme: from the precise selection of fibers to their transformation into yarn, then into fabric and further production into garments. Verticalization of the process is a characteristic of the production chain to ensure the highest quality. For fabric production alone, there are 94 production cycles with 18 intermediate controls. Through this mission, Lanificio Colombo has become a protagonist in the world panorama of precious fiber products. The company is proud to list among its clients the most prestigious names in the international fashion world.

True values, deeply rooted and transmitted, are the foundations of the Lanificio Colombo brand culture. Knowledge that becomes inimitable expertise, a way of life that transcends work and goes back to reveal the Colombo values. Testimony of people who love precious fibers. Their passion, their lifestyle. Values ​​become culture, and culture becomes quality.

Lanificio Luigi Colombo is a world leader in the production of cashmere and precious fiber fabrics. Raw material research, high technology and many years of craft experience are characterized by a philosophy in which values ​​become culture, and culture becomes quality. It’s a simple story about hard work.

What fashion lovers don’t know is that about 250 tons of raw materials are shipped every year directly from Mongolia to the Borgosesia factory, where they are put into production about two years later. It is a long journey that represents the end of constant research carried out directly by the family in order to select the best raw materials. The decision to travel thousands of kilometres to distant, climatically inhospitable places and the relationship with Mongolian communities that is renewed every spring, are an expression of the passion that the Colombo family has for the precious fibre.

All those who work in the textile department and in the luxury goods department at Lanificio Colombo are aware that the knowledge of the transformation of the world’s finest fibers is passed down through the generations. At Lanificio Colombo, every employee is aware that they are handling the best raw materials in the world. It is knowledge that has been passed down through the generations and covers the transformation of raw materials, both in textile and ready-to-wear, into semi-finished and finished products.

The luxury collection is an extension of the textile department. The multitude of proposals that are part of the collection of soft accessories, baby cashmere knitwear and luxurious outerwear are a direct expression of the company’s philosophy. A philosophy that goes beyond fashion and becomes a lifestyle.

It is nature that inspires the creation and refined colours of the Lanificio Colombo collections. The skillful hand of man gives shape to materials. Lightness and elegance are a mirror of natural elements transformed by time, from season to season. Yarns and fabrics created with respect for people, animals and the environment are transformed into clothes with timeless charm.

It all started with the most precious precious fibers. This fashion story is a 50-year long journey driven by passion, research, creativity and investment that has marked the path of an extraordinary adventure of the Colombo lifestyle. Distribution in the most important department stores and in prestigious specialised stores was followed by the opening of mono-branded boutiques of the Lanificio Colombo brand. What Luigi sowed is now ripe and blooming. Younger generations will have to continue on the paths set by the founder and share the same goals with the same passion.

Lanificio Luigi Colombo is one of the few luxury fashion houses that always carefully adheres to all ethical codes in order to protect the environment, animals and natives and follows its ecological business growth strategy. New important goals have already been achieved and new projects are underway. Transforming precious fibers into excellent fabrics, guaranteeing full traceability, as well as offering a green world to future generations.

What does a sustainable Lanificio Colombo world look like? BIO Supply Chain: Protecting Kashmiri Goats, Inner and Outer Mongolia Herding Community and Ensuring Traceability throughout the Production Process, resulting in Eco-Friendly Products. This is the first example of an integrated and certified precious fiber supply chain. BIO CASHMERE® fabrics are made in accordance with the ecological and social criteria defined by the Global Standard for Organic Textiles (GOTS), and those with a natural fiber content of more than 95% are certified organic.

The certificate of conformity guarantees the entire bio process of the product with strict and rigorous evaluation criteria for all stages of production, thus ensuring complete traceability. The control of the entire chain starts with the organic raw material and continues throughout the transformation process. All production flow units must have an adopted environmental protection policy with specific procedures that enable proper management and continuous monitoring of ecosystem protection rules.

In today’s fashion story, I present to you a timeless Coat made of baby camel hair and mohair with a check print. The coat is made of baby camel hair, mohair and wool to give it a more colorful and original look while maintaining refined elegance and an elegant style.

The precious fabric of baby camel hair, mohair and wool is produced directly by Lanificio Colombo. From the search for the best raw material in the country of origin to the production of the finished product, all production processes are monitored and controlled by the Colombo family to ensure and guarantee the highest quality.

If you want to know more about Lanificio Colombo, a prestigious brand of precious fibres and luxury knitwear, and discover what their team has prepared for the new season, visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

OUTFIT

Coat: Lanificio Colombo

Pearl Necklace: Piece from Personal Collection

Earrings: Piece from Personal Collection

Bag: LANDA

Turtleneck: Max Mara via MYTHERESA

Trousers: Max Mara via MYTHERESA

Gloves: George Horn

Shoes: Tod’s via MYTHERESA

The second brand I want to introduce to you today comes from Ireland. It is a brand that has an extraordinary passion for leather and craftsmanship – LANDA. Born in Argentina, a nation known for its cattle ranches and love of red meat, Silvana Landa’s cultural heritage is closely tied to the land and its animals. From an early age, she grew up watching her Italian grandfather work leather in his shoemaker’s workshop, obtained from her uncle’s raw material store. Forced to emigrate to South America after fighting in World War II, he started his shoe business from scratch in Argentina, learning the trade intuitively. Her grandmother was a pantsuit maker and extremely hardworking. They were a pair of independent business people in the simplest way.

The LANDA brand was founded in 2018 by Silvana, following in her grandfather’s footsteps. All LANDA bags and fashion accessories are made with love from the highest quality raw materials and finished to perfection. The design is modern, beautiful and, most importantly, super functional.

The idea that reflects this brand is the memory of the work of Silvana’s blanket and his hands working on the tanned leather, the rich, earthy aromas of the workshop and the sound of the sewing machines. He also did a lot of hand sewing. Sometimes he would let her help with the finishing process; brushing or painting the edges of each shoe. As a working professional and mother of two children, Silvana is constantly on the move; travels, has a very active life. She learned to always juggle several bags at once and started looking for a great solution to meet her daily needs.

She wanted something roomy yet stylish – something like a bulky living bag from the local supermarket! What she discovered was a gap in the market and saw the possibility of a new business opportunity. With fond memories of her grandfather working in his leather workshop, it seemed a natural step to start designing bags that were roomy and practical, but made from beautiful high-quality leather.

My outfit today is adorned with the PANAMA Oversized black bag, a model that has truly become an exciting accessory for the LANDA brand. This large bag in the style of relaxed urban elegance is very cool! It is characterized by a sporty, boxy shape and a large capacity for storing everyday necessities.

The special feature of this bag is that it can be worn in 3 ways and the shape itself changes completely! To be worn as is, or folded in half, or using a small strap, this bag takes on a cool trapeze shape. The Panama bag model is available in black, dark grey and burgundy.

The next brand that I want to present to you today is one of the representatives of luxury Irish leather goods with a long tradition and rich history – George Horn.

George Horn is a third generation glove maker based in Dublin. Founded by George in the 1940s and continued by his son Brian, the company is now run by Brian and his son Gerard. With a passion for quality, authenticity and respect for their craft and artistry, George Horn produce the finest hand-stitched gloves available on the Irish market.

After 77 years of craft, expertise, excitement, many successes and failures, and the hard work of 3 generations of one family, the continuation of George Horn not only sees the survival of the last master glove maker in Ireland, but also heralds a new era of those learning the trade. George Horn is also engaged in the training and education of leather artisans and glove makers to ensure that these age-old skills are preserved in a sustainable and sustainable way.

What is the story of this family brand? During the 1960s, the George Horn Company prospered and gained a reputation for the highest quality gloves. Sales reached across the globe from Japan to the US and included household names such as Harrods and Christian Dior. George Horn gloves have enjoyed a reputation at Bloomingdales, Saks of Fifth Avenue and Roots in New York for the highest standard of materials and quality in the manufacture of gloves from motorcycle gloves to Irish Army service gloves and other models. Mr. George expanded the Ashtown factory and the company’s success seemed boundless.

A little later, in 1972, a fire destroyed the Ashtown premises, destroying much of the old machinery. Unable to obtain spare machines that he felt were up to the appropriate standards, George ceased making gloves. Business continued as the Castleknock Glove Company produced industrial gloves, specialty gloves and small series such as gloves for Irish Army officers, and also began supplying leather to the craft market. George’s son, Brian, became involved in the company in the 1960s, initially selling in Ireland and then around the world, then learning the trade of a master glove maker from his father. To this day, it is Brian who cuts the gloves and oversees the sewing and finishing of all George Horn gloves.

After a fire in 1972, the company moved to Prussia Street, trading as The Castleknock Glove Company, but the collapse of Irish manufacturing and the age of mass importation saw the business close in 2003. A switch to supplying leather and tools began and Brian kept his glove manufacturing on a small scale to order for the next 15 years.

After the UK glove manufacturer closed, Brian secured old machinery, knives and equipment to match that originally lost in the 1972 fire. While some would argue that modern machines can do the job, for Brian it just wasn’t right and finding the right equipment provided the impetus and motivation to begin a two year process of testing, tweaking and refining until 2020, a watershed year and a beautiful moment of rebirth for the George Horn glove brand.

In today’s post you have the opportunity to see a masterpiece of the George Horn brand, women’s hand-stitched long gloves made of leather and lined with pure silk. Experience the ultimate in luxury with these George Horn Women’s Handmade Long Leather Gloves. Elevate your style with the George Horn Four Button Gloves, the perfect sophisticated accessory designed for timeless elegance. These mid-length gloves stretch gracefully, creating an elegant and elongated silhouette that perfectly complements formal and semi-formal attire.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these gloves feature a row of four stylish buttons, adding a refined touch to their classic design. Made from 100% silk, they feel luxurious against the skin, offering unparalleled comfort and breathability. Perfect for special occasions or when you simply want to add a touch of understated glamour, four-button gloves are a true testament to the art of fine glove craftsmanship. Indulge in the perfect combination of style, comfort and craftsmanship.

If you want to stay up to date and find out what novelties the George Horn luxury brand of gloves has prepared for us, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

If it weren’t for my friends from MYTHERESA, a shopping platform that represents a real fashion treasure trove for all men and women fashion lovers, pieces like the Max Mara turtleneck sweater and trousers and these gorgeous Tod’s shoes wouldn’t be in this blog post on the Mr.M blog today. I am very grateful to the MYTHERESA platform for the trust shown and the wonderful cooperation, and I would like to take the opportunity to once again thank the MYTHERESA team from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful cooperation.

This time I decided to complete my outfit with shoes from the Italian brand Tod’s. There is no person who has not resisted wearing these famous Italian fashion houses, regardless of whether it is a person of female or male gender, Tod’s shoes are loved by the whole planet because of their refined elegance and incredible comfort. The shoes from today’s fashion story are an iconic model with a gold-coloured metal logo, while the shoes are made of black patent leather.

I hope you enjoyed my fashion story today. Soon I will show you new outfits that can serve as inspiration for the new fashion season. See you soon at the same place, with some new interesting story. I will try not to take long breaks and I hope you understand the reason for my unexpected absence, but there will be time to catch up and I am sure I will meet your expectations.

Special Note: All my photos from today’s post have been specially edited to meet the expectations of blog friends, as well as the readers themselves while respecting the aesthetics and guidelines of fashion photography. Unfortunately, the face and neck lifting operations did not go well and due to the negligence of the medical team from abroad, I suffered serious aesthetic and health consequences. In agreement with my legal team, I wrote a post with all the details that can be found on the English international site of the Mr.M blog.

Best regards,

Rose

This post is sponsored by Max Mara and Tod’s from the MYTHERESA e-commerce shopping platform, as well as Lanificio Colombo, Landa, George Horn brands. This post is my personal and honest review of their products.

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Bonner of Ireland: Immerse yourself in the elegance of Irish tradition…

Fashion Outfit Post 6 Comments

My dear fashionistas, welcome to the first fashion story in a series of posts from Ireland on the Mr.M blog. January and February will be dedicated to this unusual country in the heart of Western Europe, a country known for its greenest landscapes, St. Patrick’s Day, music, the famous Irish whiskey, but also for its extremely high quality wool. At the very beginning of today’s fashion story about Bonner of Ireland, an Irish knitwear brand, I would like to thank the Enterprise Ireland team for the warm invitation to the 50th anniversary of the three-day Irish trade show Showcase Ireland and for making the collaboration with Irish fashion brands that you will have opportunities to see in fashion stories from Ireland.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Black Tie Chauffeur, a Dublin company that provides exclusive luxury chauffeured passenger services. This company enabled me to visit the Cliffs of Moher, which are among the most beautiful and impressive natural sights in Ireland. There will be a special travelogue about the Cliffs of Moher where you will get to know the localities in more detail, as well as the service of a private driver with whom you can quickly and with a high level of comfort and convenience enjoy the natural sights of Ireland.

With the selfless help of all the mentioned partners, fashion stories and travelogues from Ireland were created, which you will have the opportunity to read this January and February, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure. Today I will introduce two Irish brands that caught my attention during the Showcase Ireland trade show – Bonner of Ireland and George Horn.

If by any chance you missed reading the previous travelogue post about Showcase Ireland or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following LINK.

Bonner of Ireland is a family fashion company dedicated to using traditional crafts to produce quality knitwear from the finest yarns. Their team believes in sustainable design and innovation to provide a product and service that meets and exceeds customer needs. A person wearing a Bonner product will gain a sense of the heritage, tradition and ideals of Donegal in Ireland.

To wear a Bonner creation is to wrap yourself in the essence of Ireland, to carry the deep-rooted traditions of Donegal close to your heart. In every thread, a piece of history; in every weaving of stories. Bonner of Ireland sources its wool from local artisan wool producers: Donegal Yarns. They manage the complete vertical production process from raw wool, through dyeing, mixing, carding and spinning to the finished multi-coloured colored yarn for the weaving, knitting and craft industries. All products are made in Ireland and production takes place at their woollen mill in Kilcar, Ireland.

I believe many of you are wondering how Bonner of Ireland wool is actually made? This famous Irish knitwear brand gets its wool from a variety of sources as each type of wool has a special character that will help when making Bonner of Ireland clothing for women and men. One of the most important wool suppliers is the local artisan wool manufacturer Donegal Yarns. The Bonner of Ireland team have been kind enough to share with me the in-depth story of how their wool is made and I’ll do my best to bring that processing to you.

Donegal Yarns was founded in the 1970s by ‘Gaeltarra’ when they built a spinning mill in Kilcar supplying tweed effect yarns to the international and local craft industries. Some time later, the company was renamed Donegal Tarns in 2008 to reflect their unique flecked/nepp effect yarn.

They manage the complete vertical production process from raw wool, through dyeing, mixing, carding and spinning to the finished multi-coloured colored yarn for the weaving, knitting and product making industries. All products are made in Ireland and production takes place at their woollen mill in Kilcar.

The wool making process begins with wool sorting at Donegal Yarns, where wool sorting experts meticulously organize and process wool from the local area which has been thoroughly cleaned and well scoured. The next process is dyeing the wool, where the manager of the dyeing department creates different recipes creating a unique palette of colors. The team finds inspiration in Irish culture and tradition, where the most commonly used colors are brown and red raised bogs and green hedgerows and rich forests.

The process that follows is the blending process, that is, the mixing process where the colors are evenly mixed to ensure consistent shading in the color match. This is crucial when combining different fibers such as merino wool with cashmere or merino wool with mohair.

After that, the mixtures are subjected to carding, a new process or method that involves passing them through fine metal teeth. The wool’s inherent crease is straightened during carding, aligning the fibers for the spinning process.

The most important thing that comes next is yarn spinning, better known as the Post-carding process, the roving goes through spinning, where the fibers are elongated and twisted to a certain degree, creating a yarn. For some types of yarn, multiple strands of individual yarns can be interlaced to achieve a desired weight suitable for different uses.

The yarn is wound into buckets as a preparatory step for scouring and cleaning the wool. In the scouring process, the yarn is fed into the machine and continuously moves through multiple baths. The first two baths are filled with cleaning detergent, followed by rinsing in the last two baths before the yarn is hung to dry.

After the spinning or twisting process is completed, the yarn is either packed into cones or formed into balls or skeins, based on the customer’s order. After that, they are prepared for storage in the warehouse and possible shipment.

I have tried to briefly explain to you the history of weaving and creation of wool. I will do my best to introduce you to the rich heritage of Donegal tweed at Bonner of Ireland. The craft, which dates back to the 1800s, was revived with the introduction of spinning wheels and linen looms by the Royal Ulster Linen Manufacturers. In the late 19th century, Donegal tweed gained international recognition, known for its unique patterns and textures.

In the misty expanses of Donegal, where stories are spun as fine as wool, the craft of tweed-making whispers a tale as old as the hills of Ireland themselves. Since the dawn of the 1800s, in the cozy cottages that dot the southwest of this rugged land, skilled and hardworking hands have spun, woven and woven the essence of Donegal into every thread. Here, where the wild Atlantic touches the shore, a mixture of native and foreign wools would come to life under the skillful touch of these artisans.

The wool, dyed in hues rich in Irish folklore, would be spun into threads of destiny, some finding their way into warm garments and others into the hands of local weavers, destined to become the famous Donegal tweed. This tweed, a fabric of survival and beauty, clothed the local population and traveled further afield, carrying with it the spirit of Donegal. And so it was, until the twilight of the eighteenth century when the Royal Ulster Clothiers breathed new life into this age-old craft, bringing linen spinners and looms to Donegal homes, heralding the dawn of the nineteenth-century native tweed industry.

However, it was not until the 1880s that Donegal tweed would find its modern voice, through the vision of Mrs. Alice Rowland Hart, an English philanthropist with a heart as big as the sea. In 1883, she saw the rugged beauty of Donegal and the deep poverty of the people who lived there. Touched, she appealed for public generosity, but her vision progressed – to revive local cottage industries, especially tweed weaving.

Thus was born the Donegal Industrial Trust, a beacon of hope and craft. By 1884, Donegal tweed graced the London International Health Exhibition, a triumph that led Hart to set up shop in London. Working closely with local weavers, Hart wove new designs into Donegal tweed fabric, experimenting with colors from Ireland’s own flora, earning accolades and honours. Her vision spread in 1885, reaching out to Irish women, inviting them to participate in the revival of embroidery, which led to the birth of the Kells Embroidery Schools. Here, the ancient art of Irish and Eastern design flourished once again on canvas, a testament to Ireland’s timeless craftsmanship.

After learning all this information, it was a pleasure for me to present this particular brand to you on the Mr.M blog. My outfit today is decorated with a sweater from the special Bonner of Ireland collection. Meticulously crafted from the finest Donegal wool, this classic style celebrates the rugged beauty and vibrant colors of Irish tradition and culture in the surroundings of South West Donegal. This sweater keeps you warm and cozy, making it an ideal choice for layering or as a stand-alone piece. I enjoyed the luxurious softness and warmth of the 100% fine wool that comes from Donegal Yarns.

If you want to stay updated and find out what new things Bonner of Ireland, a luxury brand of Irish knitwear, has prepared for us this fashion season, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

OUTFIT

Shearling Coat: Brunello Cucinelli

Sweater: Bonner of Ireland

Trousers: Brunello Cucinelli

Gloves: George Horn

Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana

The next Irish brand that I want to introduce to you is one of the representatives of luxury Irish leather goods with a long tradition and rich history – George Horn. As a big fan of luxury and high-quality leather goods, at Showcase Ireland I had the honor of meeting Mr. Gerard Horn, manager of the George Horn brand that produces luxury leather gloves.

George Horn is a third generation glove maker based in Dublin. Founded by George in the 1940s and continued by his son Brian, the company is now run by Brian and his son Gerard. With a passion for quality, authenticity and respect for their craft and artistry, George Horn produce the finest hand-stitched gloves available on the Irish market.

After 77 years of craft, expertise, excitement, many successes and failures, and the hard work of 3 generations of one family, the continuation of George Horn not only sees the survival of the last master glove maker in Ireland, but also heralds a new era of those learning the trade. George Horn is also engaged in the training and education of leather artisans and glove makers to ensure that these age-old skills are preserved in a sustainable and sustainable way.

What is the story of this family brand? During the 1960s, the George Horn Company prospered and gained a reputation for the highest quality gloves. Sales reached across the globe from Japan to the US and included household names such as Harrods and Christian Dior. George Horn gloves have enjoyed a reputation at Bloomingdales, Saks of Fifth Avenue and Roots in New York for the highest standard of materials and quality in the manufacture of gloves from motorcycle gloves to Irish Army service gloves and other models. Mr. George expanded the Ashtown factory and the company’s success seemed boundless.

A little later, in 1972, a fire destroyed the Ashtown premises, destroying much of the old machinery. Unable to obtain spare machines that he felt were up to the appropriate standards, George ceased making gloves. Business continued as the Castleknock Glove Company produced industrial gloves, specialty gloves and small series such as gloves for Irish Army officers, and also began supplying leather to the craft market. George’s son, Brian, became involved in the company in the 1960s, initially selling in Ireland and then around the world, then learning the trade of a master glove maker from his father. To this day, it is Brian who cuts the gloves and oversees the sewing and finishing of all George Horn gloves.

After a fire in 1972, the company moved to Prussia Street, trading as The Castleknock Glove Company, but the collapse of Irish manufacturing and the era of mass importation saw the business close in 2003. A switch to supplying leather and tools began and Brian kept his glove manufacturing on a small scale to order for the next 15 years.

After the closure of the glove manufacturer in the UK, Brian secured old machinery, knives and equipment to match that originally lost in the 1972 fire. While some would argue that modern machines can do the job, for Brian it just wasn’t right and finding the right equipment provided the impetus and motivation to begin a two-year process of testing, tuning and refining until 2020, the year that marked the turning point and of the beautiful moment of the rebirth of the George Horn glove brand.

In today’s post you have the opportunity to see the masterpiece of the George Horn brand, men’s hand-stitched gloves made of Peccary’s leather and lined with pure cashmere. Experience the height of luxury with these George Horn handmade leather peccary gloves. Peccary, the world’s most exclusive glove leather, is prized for its unparalleled softness, durability and natural grain. These gloves are a testament to the skill and expertise of George Horn’s skilled cutters and makers, demanding the highest level of craftsmanship in every detail.

Completely hand-stitched, these gloves exude elegance and refinement. “Greek Dots” – slightly raised, meticulously stitched lines on the back – add a prominent and textured finish, fusing tradition with unique craftsmanship. Inside, the gloves are lined with 100% pure cashmere, providing unparalleled warmth and a soft feel against the skin. These gloves are designed to complement any outfit while providing exceptional comfort while embodying timeless sophistication and elegance.

If you want to stay up to date and find out what novelties the George Horn luxury brand of gloves has prepared for us, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Fashion pieces from the Brunello Cucinelli collection are made so that they can last for seasons and years with the guarantee that you can leave something of exceptional quality to your descendants with a timeless cut that will always be fashionable. Each manufactured piece is designed so that it does not follow blind trends, but on the contrary remains its own and consistent with the style of timeless elegance and refinement. Brunello Cucinelli is a brand that cherishes the values of “quiet luxury”, that’s why you’ll never see an aggressive brand logo on their clothes, leather goods or other fashion accessories, but the design and material will tell the story for themselves.

Brunello Cucinelli is an Italian luxury fashion brand that sells menswear, womenswear and accessories in Europe, North America and East Asia. The company was founded by Mr. Brunello Cucinelli in 1978. Mr. Cucinelli started his fashion house in 1978 specializing in Mongolian cashmere clothing for women. Today, the company owns 94 of the 124 stores worldwide. A few years ago, more precisely in January 2017, the company launched its online web store.

Mr. Cucinelli controls and manages the brand through Fedone Srl. Cucinelli’s family fund owns 57% of the company’s shares, and has also set up a special fund for the benefit of his daughters, Camilla and Carolina, to guarantee the proper handover of his eponymous company. This is an inspiring fashion story about a family.

An impressive fact is that the company headquarters is located in a 14th-century castle on top of a hill in the middle of Umbria, an area known as the “green heart” of Italy. Brunello Cucinelli donates 20% of profits to its charitable foundation and pays workers wages that are 20% higher than the fashion industry average. Also interesting information is that the employees of the company have extremely flexible working hours and that e-mails are not allowed after working hours. This is one of the few fashion houses that have such good working conditions, which is commendable in today’s age of classical capitalism.

My outfit today is adorned with two pieces of clothing from the latest Brunello Cucinelli FW 2024/25 collection, this fantastic shearling coat and trousers, which are made of the finest wool. Shearling coat as an indispensable piece of every winter season, this warm coat which is made of the finest alpine goat fur, due to its taupe neutral colour won my heart this winter season. When I got the invitation for this trip to Ireland, I knew immediately that I would bring this fashion piece with me to keep me warm on the windy cliffs of Ireland and I have to admit that I was very comfortable in it considering the low temperatures and high winds on the Cliffs of Moher. Another piece that delighted me this season is the brown trousers made of the finest wool, which went perfectly with my winter outfits this season.

If you want to stay updated and find out what iconic Italian fashion house Brunello Cucinelli has prepared for us this fashion season, follow this brand on social media: Facebook and Instagram.

My dear fashionistas, we have come to the end of the first fashion story in the series of posts from Ireland, where together we discovered the beauty and brilliance of fashion with the Irish brands Bonner of Ireland and George Horn, the beauty of urban cut with the Italian brand Brunello Cucinelli, partners with whom fashion stories real adventure. I sincerely hope you got some inspiration for your ideal winter outfit!

In the following posts, I will try to show you the beauty of the capital of Ireland – Dublin, as well as some natural beauties of Ireland with unusual fashion stories I made there. Today’s fashion story would not be possible without the selfless help of Enterprise Ireland, Black Tie Chauffeur, Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Ireland.

Today I tried to show you the beauty of elegance and refinement of luxury fashion in the natural beauty of Ireland, that’s why I prepared this outfit for you with a lot of love, I believe you will like it. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or any message for me, you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social media channels, which you can find on the CONTACT page. See you soon!

With Love from Ireland,
Mr.M

This post is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Black Tie Chauffeur and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence, as well as Bonner of Ireland, George Horn, Brunello Cucinelli brands. This post is my personal and honest review of their products.

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Letters from Ireland: Showcase Ireland, a Treasury of Irish Craft and Design…

Fashion Lifestyle Travel 5 Comments

My dear travellers and lovers of unusual travel and fashionistas, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. January and February will be dedicated to an unusual country in the heart of Western Europe, a country known for its greenest landscapes, St. Patrick’s Day, music, famous whiskey and quality wool – Ireland. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue of the Showcase Ireland event, I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in Ireland.

With their help, the travelogues from Ireland and fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read this January and February were created, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure. Today I will do my best to bring you closer to an exceptional event, Showcase Ireland, a three-day fair of Irish craft and design that celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

Fashion stories created during Showcase Ireland in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland and local brands:

  • Bonner of Ireland (luxury Irish knitwear) and George Horn (leather goods – gloves): LINK
  • Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli (luxury rainwear): LINK
  • Celtic Tweed (luxury Irish fashion brand) and Ériu (luxury Irish knitwear): LINK
  • Ériu (luxury Irish knitwear) and Mackintosh Ireland by Francis Campelli: LINK

Enterprise Ireland is an enterprise development agency established by the Irish government. This organization invests in and supports the development of Irish-owned companies on their journey to achieve greater scale and become global leaders in their field. This way of working and supporting provides a platform for strong economic growth and the creation and maintenance of jobs in communities across Ireland. Their teams in Ireland and across their international network of 39 international offices help Irish companies develop high growth strategies and enter new markets with innovative and sustainable solutions.

As an Irish government agency, Enterprise Ireland is committed to trade and innovation with a focus on the creative industries and consumer retail sectors. To help grow businesses, Enterprise Ireland organises Showcase Ireland every year, a three-day trade show that presents the best of Irish craft and design to a national and international network of buyers.

This year Enterprise Ireland and Showcase Ireland celebrated the historic milestone of 50 years in existence. This year this incredible event marked five decades, celebrations that will not be repeated in our lifetime. This renowned event highlights the continued success and importance of Irish craftsmanship, design and quality. This year I had the opportunity to meet a large number of exhibitors who strive to maintain traditional crafts to modern innovations.

The fair was held from January 19 to 21, 2025, and over 400 exhibitors were present, including master craftsmen and internationally recognised designers who all came to this fair with the same goal – to present their best works.

During my visit to Ireland, I had the opportunity to discover Ireland’s rich heritage through wool, tweed, linen and more with a very modern twist on traditional design. At this fair, I met the people behind their brands and I got to know the Irish way of thinking and I realized that the people are exactly what make Ireland so special. I have learned the special Irish design, craftsmanship and listen with great interest to the stories that define Irish creativity.

During this visit to Dublin, I had the opportunity to explore the vibrant exhibition space of the fair held at the Royal Dublin Society where I was introduced to the truly breathtaking beauty of the West Coast of Ireland, while staying at the luxurious Herbert Park Hotel in the heart of Dublin.

Craftsmanship, design and entrepreneurship have long been embedded in Ireland’s identity. The distinguishing characteristics and collective strength reflected in the range of Irish designers, makers and artisans exhibiting at Showcase Ireland make it a place to discover something new and noteworthy that makes Ireland so special.

Ireland never experienced the Industrial Revolution and therefore maintained a focus on craftsmanship and design rather the uniformity of mass production that has become more common in her region. The story of Irish craft and design is only part of a rich cultural heritage and a powerful emotional connection to the island, its landscape and heritage. Many designers present their vision of Ireland through the art of forgotten crafts, textile traditions and historical references, but also with a completely new, modern reinterpreted fresh and contemporary approach to work. This commitment to past traditions leads to a revival of skills.

Over the past 50 years some of Ireland’s most famous names have exhibited at Showcase Ireland, and 2025 was no exception. Brands such as Aran Woollen Mills, Bonner of Ireland, Magee 1866, Mucros Weavers, Green Angel, The Handmade Soap Company, Nicholas Mosse and the world’s oldest candle making company – Rathbones 1488, were featured alongside 90 new brands that were first introduced exhibited at this fair. One brand that attended the first show in 1975 was Hanna Hats and returned in 2025 with styles from their archive collections as well as the introduction of new tweed models and lines.

Bonner of Ireland is a family company dedicated to using traditional crafts to produce quality knitwear from the finest yarns. Their team believes in sustainable design and innovation to provide a product and service that meets and exceeds customer needs. A person wearing a Bonner of Ireland product will gain a sense of the heritage, tradition and ideals of Donegal in Ireland.

Sweater: Bonner of Ireland – Gloves: George Horn

To wear a Bonner of Ireland creation is to wrap yourself in the essence of Ireland, to carry the deep-rooted traditions of Donegal close to your heart. In every thread, a piece of history; in every weaving of stories. Bonner of Ireland sources its wool from local artisan wool producers: Donegal Yarns. They manage the complete vertical production process from raw wool, through dyeing, mixing, carding and spinning to the finished multi-coloured colored yarn for the weaving, knitting and craft industries. All products are made in Ireland and production takes place at their woolen mill in Kilcar, Ireland.

In one of the next fashion stories from Ireland I will show you an outfit with a Bonner of Ireland sweater from a special collection.

Celtic Tweed is a luxury Irish brand that makes bespoke Irish tweed clothing for men and women: jackets, waistcoats, gilets and body warmers, shirts, hats, skirts. What is the story of this brand? After 35 years in the industry working with suppliers around the world, Celtic Tweed brand founders Mrs. Cathy Coghlan and Mr. Frank Coghlan decided in 2012 to create a unique Irish clothing collection that is to revive the fabrics of Ireland and proudly make these clothes in their hometown in Balbriggan, a town with a rich history of weaving and clothing manufacturing dating back to the 1830s.

Every day since then has been a journey of learning and discovery. The Celtic Tweed team designs with simplicity believing that the best things in life are simple and timeless. They strip away the unnecessary to create elegant pieces. Making these pieces time and time again and truly honing their skills, constantly perfecting cuts, fabrics, textures and finishes with each new collection, they are truly the best of the best created by their highly skilled team of designers, cutters and tailors.

People are becoming much more curious about how their clothes come from Balbriggan, enabling the Celtic Tweed team to share that journey with them. Their team meticulously handcrafts each piece, to create shapes that fit beautifully with your figure, to create authentically sustainable pieces of quiet luxury, which will become cherished heirlooms for you and future generations to enjoy together. The Celtic Tweed team makes clothes with love that will be enjoyed by future generations.

During my visit to Ireland, I had the opportunity to see for myself the beauty of the design and quality of Celtic Tweed clothing, and I will present it to you in a special fashion story in the coming period.

Outfit: Jacket and Trousers – Celtic Tweed; Sweater – Ériu

A brand that caught my attention is Irish luxury knitwear brand Ériu who make clothing, accessories and other products from 100% Irish wool which has been chosen for its unique characteristics of softness, drape, shine and seam definition. The founders of this amazing brand are Ms. Zoë Daly and Mr. Lionel Mackey.

Ériu’s story began with Mrs. Daly’s grandmother, Kitsy, who knitted all her life. It was her art, her craft, her soul. For her, knitting was a practical, useful thing, but also an expression of selfless and great love. When Ms. Zoe’s daughter was born, right on Keats’ birthday, as luck would have it, she knitted her a blanket, her first baby blanket. This precious blanket is made from 100% soft and silky merino wool.

Ms Zoe has discovered a new community of small and sustainable farmers who are committed to restoring Ireland’s woolen tradition, a heritage of cottage industry. A concept based on new breeds of sheep, new blends of wool, new ways of renewing old skills. After she met Mr. Lionel Mackey, a farmer from Wicklow, who understood the reality of sheep farming as well as the needs of the business, they decided to establish the Ériu brand, which took its name from the patron goddess of Ireland, the queen of fertility, sovereignty and abundance .

They wanted to create a fully sustainable process for making Irish wool blankets, where the material is sourced directly from farmers and local textile artisans are employed. “From farm to yarn” became their mantra, a new hope and eventually the slogan of this unusual brand.

During Showcase Ireland I had the opportunity to meet the founders of the brand and learn about their work and divine products made from real Irish wool. In the following fashion stories I will show you some of the outfits I did in collaboration with this luxury Irish knitwear brand.

Sweater: Ériu

During Showcase Ireland, I recognised my special love for coats in the brand Mackintosh by Francis Campelli. This brand is engaged in the production of luxury rainwear. What is the story of this brand? Almost two centuries ago, in 1823 to be exact, Mr. Charles Mackintosh patented his development of an outstanding waterproof fabric. Raincoats are made by a select few manufacturers using his double textured 2 ply cotton bonded with a rubber compound which is then bonded with rubberized cotton. Not long after, in 1889, one of those Manchester manufacturers expanded its operations to Ireland and in 1934 registered its Mackintosh manufacturing business.

The popularity of raincoats has led to them being exported to countries as far as the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. They were worn by men and women who appreciated their function and quality workmanship, however, complaints continued due to the smell of rubber and their tendency to melt in hot weather and become stiff in cold.

In 1983, the company was bought by Mr. Francis Campelli who successfully addressed these complaints and developed a fabric that is odorless and will not change properties in extreme weather conditions. This fabric is a double cotton texture, with a high-tech breathable membrane sandwiched between 2 layers of cotton, it is breathable, waterproof, windproof, durable and has the added benefit of being dry cleanable and hand washable.

Trench Coat: Mackintosh by Francis Campelli; Sweater: Ériu

Unlike other high-tech waterproof fabrics, this one has a completely natural look and feels soft against the skin. For nearly 200 years, generations of artisans have produced these garments that have come to be known as “Mack”.

In the following fashion stories on the Mr.M blog, you will have the opportunity to see how I styled a timeless double-breasted Mackintosh by Francis Campelli yellow raincoat, which is also the first raincoat of this bright colour in my wardrobe, as well as an interesting winter jacket with a winter insole.

Coat with winter insole: Mackintosh by Francis Campelli

As a big fan of luxury and high quality leather goods, at the Showcase Ireland fair I had the honour of meeting Mr. Gerard Horn, the manager of the George Horn brand that produces luxury leather gloves.

George Horn is a third generation glove maker based in Dublin. Founded by George in the 1940s and continued by his son Brian, the company is now run by Brian and his son Gerard. With a passion for quality, authenticity and respect for their craft and artistry, George Horn produces the finest hand-stitched gloves available.

After 77 years of craft, expertise, excitement, many successes and failures, and the hard work of 3 generations of one family, the continuation of George Horn not only sees the survival of the last master glove maker in Ireland, but also heralds a new era of those learning the trade. George Horn is also engaged in the training and education of leather artisans and glove makers to ensure that these age-old skills are preserved in a sustainable and sustainable way.

In the next fashion stories on the Mr.M blog, I will show you gloves from this luxury Irish leather goods brand, George Horn.

Gloves: George Horn

Enterprise Ireland is aware of the importance of ensuring the Showcase Ireland event is an environmentally sustainable event, and their team are actively working to reduce waste and carbon emissions. Showcase Ireland was held at the RDS which is centrally located, with good public transport and a range of accommodation options nearby. It has the ISO 50001:2018 standard for energy management systems.

There is a 100kvp solar installation on site, with another 1MW of potential roof space slated for development by the end of 2025. Constantly expanding the station’s electric vehicle charging network starting in 2023 to facilitate the transition to sustainable transport and increasing the number of bike racks available on site to encourage people to attend events there using active transport alternatives.

As for catering, all catering facilities use compostable food packaging and coffee cups. What is important to note about waste, separate dry mixed recycling materials, waste wood, green waste, food and other compostable waste so that they enter the appropriate waste processing streams.

The Enterprise Ireland team is aware that sustainability only works if we are all involved and working together, so they are encouraging all participants to engage with the sustainability initiatives that were implemented at this year’s Showcase Ireland event.

One of the most important items was that each of the participants and visitors should bring their own reusable bottle, as there were places for refilling water in the registration area for visitors and participants of the event. It was also very important that the correct bins were used when disposing of any waste, this helped the Enterprise Ireland team to maintain their ‘zero waste to landfill’ policy at the RDS.

All participants and visitors are advised to use public transport or use the 5 EV solar powered charging points located in the Merrion Road car park. Take advantage of the opportunity to organize as many online meetings as possible, thereby reducing the need for additional travel in the future.

One of the highlights was downloading the Showcase app and using the QR code on the back of the badge holder to access the beige exhibition catalog using cardboard and extra paper. In addition, all visitors were advised to take photos of business cards or flyers instead of using physical copies.

All exhibitors were advised to use QR codes instead of printed materials to provide information to all interested visitors. In addition, it was extremely important for exhibitors to provide samples and gifts made from sustainable or reusable materials. They are also advised to use sustainable materials for the stand where possible.

In addition to all the proposed measures, even the balloons used at the event are made of biodegradable latex. This material decomposes at a rate comparable to an oak leaf. This material is responsibly sourced through Forest Stewardship Council Plantations that are Rain Forest Alliance certified.

Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence is set in a tranquil park in the center of Dublin, this hotel acts as a peaceful and spacious oasis dedicated to providing a luxurious, relaxing city break imbued with high quality hospitality and a thoughtful personal touch.

During my visit to Showcase Ireland, I had the opportunity to stay in a park view studio apartment with a balcony. For those who want to extend their stay and enjoy the hotel a little more, Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence is pleased to offer exclusive Studio Apartments with a balcony that have a magnificent view of the park. Within this distinguished category, this hotel has a select number of Studio Suites, each offering unparalleled views of tranquil Herbert Park.

These studio apartments redefine luxury living, seamlessly blending the comfort of a superior hotel experience with the convenience of a fully equipped kitchenette, ensuring that every moment of your stay is filled with enjoyment and comfort. I would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence for their warm welcome and hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, a unique experience that I will remember!

I will share my detailed experience with this wonderful hotel with you in one of the next posts in the Ireland travelogue series.

In the following posts, I will try to show you the beauty of the capital of Ireland – Dublin, as well as some natural beauties of Ireland with unusual fashion stories I made there. My dear adventurers and fashion lovers, we have come to the end of this first special travelogue in the series of travelogues about Ireland where we had the opportunity to get acquainted with this unusual trade show Showcase Ireland that takes place every year in Dublin and celebrated its 50th anniversary this year .

Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Ireland. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Ireland.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with many companies and entrepreneurs in different sectors and I would like to thank Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence once again for this amazing Showcase Ireland adventure and for allowing me to experience in a very different way I feel the beauty of this unusual Irish culture and I feel the beauty of everyday life in Dublin and Ireland in general.

How did you like my story about Ireland and the presentation of this specific Showcase Ireland trade show that showcases the best of Irish culture and tradition? Have you had a chance to visit Ireland yet?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with a new story!

In the following stories from Ireland, we will discover some other interesting sights that you should visit if your journey takes you to this unusual country!

With Love from Dublin,,

Mr. M

This post is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and Herbert Park Hotel & Park Residence as well as other local partners. This post represents my personal and honest review of the event experience and the destination itself.

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