For the last few months I’ve been really busy planning classes for the new year, working on a soon to be announced public art project and shooting lots and lots of clothes. I just finished all my advertising images for Christmas for my clients so before my tree is even up, in my mind, I’m heading off to Spring Summer themes, warmer climates and dreaming of beach locations.

Lately I’ve been shooting some great Irish brands, one of which is Triona Design. Triona Design makes handwoven Irish tweed in the small town of Ardara, Co. Donegal. In Donegal many families pass the skill of weaving tweed down through the generations. Denis Mulhern, the founder, is himself a fifth generation weaver. After 30 years, Triona Design is still a family run business with Denis’s own children all bringing various skills to marry the heritage tweed with contemporary styles. Our littlest model for the Christmas part of our shoot was one of Denis’s own grandchildren, so it seems the Triona Design family tradition will be continuing on into it’s seventh generation.

In late October I got all wrapped up and headed out to photograph all the many colours of tweed and chunky aran knits at Solis Lough Eske. There are capes in rich jewel tones and warm autumnal rust. For both men and women there are sweaters and classic cut jackets with velvet and textured button details. It’s no surprise that they are hugely popular in the USA and the rest of the world.

Many of their new styles are now appearing online. One of my favourites is their classic salt and pepper knee length coat. You can find your own style and learn more about the traditional craft of weaving at http://www.trionadesign.com