Growing up in Dublin I can always remember passing Magee on shopping trips around Grafton Street and Stephens Green.
Even though at the time I didn't fit into any of the clothes myself my grandmother was a fan of browsing their coats. She was part of a generation that believed in quality over quantity and I feel it's something that many people wish to go back to.
With more families recognising the dangers of climate change many are adopting a zero-waste approach to fashion which means less 'fast fashion'.
Recently I spoke to Rosy Temple of Magee to find out this family-run business has survived several recessions and still remained true to its 'slow fashion' roots.
Firstly Rosy, what inspired the latest collection?
We are so excited about our AW19 Collection which brings to the fore what we do best – heritage with a contemporary twist. You’ll find iconic herringbones, patchworks and sustainable fabrics made of natural fibres like wool, which look to our wild and rugged coastline of Donegal for inspiration. Our designers have also looked beyond our rural roots to the modern metropolis and you’ll see flashes of ‘Bright City Lights’ with vibrant colours and skyscraper inspired checks. AW19 packs a punch, our bold and beautiful fabrics designed and woven in our mill Donegal mill come to life in timeless silhouettes and signature looks.
What are the staples everyone should have in their wardrobe?
The hero looks this season is a mid-length raglan sleeve Alexa coat, featuring a graphic oversized check-in energetic reds and white, a perfect statement piece for your wardrobe. We had a family photoshoot last week, my sister looked fabulous in the Alexa, we can’t wait for it to hit the shop floor in a few weeks. The new tweed Demi jacket is ideal for casual weekend escapes, trimmed with a soft shearling collar. Finally, a unique two-piece featuring an elongated Moyne jacket and a wide-leg Willow trouser is a definite favourite, with retro-inspired details and a dramatic silhouette. I’ll be wearing this number into the office!
Many would associate Magee’s with being a high-quality brand do you think this is true?
Yes, absolutely. Since our foundation in the 1860s, our core value has been about bringing superb quality to customers around the world. We have never been about a ‘race to the bottom’ on price and the subsequent deterioration of quality. We stand strong on the fact that fabric and clothing should be beautiful and should be made to last. No messing around!
With more people becoming eco-conscious and turning away from ‘fast fashion’ do you think Magee’s are an environmentally friendly brand?
For us, sustainability is inherent to our very DNA, honed over the last 150 years. We have always worked with ‘natural fibres’ like wool which are biodegradable and made from renewable resources. My brother who is CEO of our Weaving Mill is a Civil Engineer who previously specialized in developing renewable energy around wave power. He is the driving force behind making positive changes for the future in our production cycle and as a family, we are right behind him. We are focused on developing ‘slow fashion’, this is the future. Magee 1866 is a far cry from the ‘throw-away’ culture of fast fashion, that has never been our style.
What do you think is it about Magee’s that has made it last the test of time?
It’s about being able to balance maintaining worthwhile traditions like the knowledge of weaving and bringing about change to make sure we are relevant to the future. For example, in Spring Summer 20, we will be bringing in draw-string linen trousers and a ‘casual lux’ collection…in my Grandfather’s day, it was only all about the ‘suit’! We are a fifth-generation family business and very much part of the local community – we stay true to our values of quality, creativity and integrity. We have faced challenges but have always remained progressive and strive to really design and bring pieces that you should be proud to wear. We are here to stay!
