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Spring Summer 22

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Natural fibre fabrics are central to our collections and this season is no exception with Irish Linen making up a large part of Spring Summer for both men and women. The ultimate versatile fabric, linen is synonymous with summer and perfect whether you’re relaxing on the beach or working in the city.   

“Linen is one of the oldest fabrics in the world and the history of weaving linen in Ireland goes back hundreds of years. It has many sustainable values as it uses considerably less water than cotton, for example, and will grow on poor land. Flax, the crop it is made from, is really versatile too because it is cultivated for yarn and food (this is where linseed comes from). We have been designing, weaving and finishing Irish Linen at our mill in Donegal since 1975, its cool, fresh properties make it perfect for our spring summer collections and it complements our Donegal Tweeds perfectly.”    

Patrick Temple, CEO Magee Weaving, 5th Generation Family Member and President of the Irish Linen Guild

We have been designing, weaving and tailoring luxurious fabrics and clothing in Donegal for five generations and over 150 years. This season we looked to the beaches, cliffs and piers that are dotted along the 1,000km of coastline of our home county for inspiration when designing the Spring Summer 2022 collection – ‘COAST’. The nautical theme is reflected in the choice of colours, naval and sea blues are contrasted in this collection with timeless, neutral shades of natural linen, greys and oat.  

Renewable and biodegradable, linen comes from an all-natural source, offering a rich, soft feeling that cannot be imitated by manmade fibres. It is also truly sustainable – requiring less water and land to grow than cotton, for example and it can be processed without chemicals. 

  

Alongside the pieces crafted in Irish Linen, designed, woven and finished at the our weaving mill in Donegal, this collection also features styles in Irish Linen from Baird McNutt, another long-established mill who design in the harbour village of Downings in County Donegal and weave in their historic mill in County Antrim. 

New to the women’s collection the Aoife is an unlined and unstructured jacket in a cheerful pink herringbone linen, and the Patty Irish Linen top in gingham complement favourites like the Tina drawstring trousers and Louise Grandfather collar shirt.

The Rebecca dress is a real showstopper, mid length in a nautical oat-grey with a chalky green and pale blue stripe, this shirt dress can be styled just as well with white trainers as it does with heeled sandals for a day out. 

Highlights in Irish Linen for men include the new Dingle four pocket jacket an unlined and unstructured style, perfect for layering when the sun goes down. Wardrobe staples the Kilbeg shirt and Straid drawstring trousers are available in a range of versatile colours and when styled with the coordinating Finn jacket in dark inky blue linen, make an ideal look for a special occasion.  

Linen can be divisive due to its tendency to crease, but for us this is one of its charms, a unique characteristic that we should embrace. The relaxed look of linen and its natural cooling properties make it the ideal choice for pieces we wear close to our skin like shirts and tops. 

 This collection is designed to maximise your summer and as always with Magee 1866, expect colours and textures that will transport you to a sandy shore, looking out at the wild Atlantic Ocean.⁠  

New to our Women’s Collection, the Rebecca dress is a standout piece this season. 

Our fresh take on the timeless shirt dress, the mid-length Rebecca features a button through front, pockets and fabric belt and offers a classic silhouette with beautiful movement. 

This versatile summer style is available in two Irish Linens, designed, woven and finished at our mill in Donegal, and a vibrant Liberty of London print.  

These are colours and textures inspired by the coastline of Donegal, designed to transport you to a sandy shore on a summer’s day, looking out at the wild Atlantic Ocean.⁠  

“I have been working through our weaving archives and planning different, more casual ways to use our luxurious fabrics. I love linen, it is so versatile and comfortable, yes it creases a little, but it is one of the characteristics of this natural and sustainable fabric and that’s ok – it has that lived in and loved look!  

I don’t wear dresses very often and wanted to create a piece that I would wear – something that works from Spring through to early Autumn. I love the shape; it drapes beautifully and features a self-fabric belt (or mix it up with one of our stunning English bridle leather belts) and pockets. I am very excited about the Rebecca, of the three gorgeous fabrics, the delicate blue herringbone is my favourite. I hope you love this dress as much as we do!”  

Charlotte Temple, Design Director Magee 1866

Natural fibre fabrics are central to our collections and this season is no exception with Irish Linen making up a large part of Spring Summer. The ultimate versatile fabric, linen is synonymous with summer and perfect whether you’re relaxing at the beach or working in the city.   

Designed, woven and finished at our mill, the calming blue shade and classic herringbone pattern make this a sophisticated addition to your warm weather wardrobe.  

The oat-grey base of this 100% Irish Linen is striped with shades of chalky green and pale blue giving a nautical feel to this relaxed style. 

A statement piece, the Rebecca makes summer dressing a breeze, simply style with trainers or heels, whatever suits the mood. 

Evocative of summer sunsets, the dreamy Liberty of London print ‘Cloud Nine’ is a soft cloud pattern in delicate watercolour shades of pink and blue with hints of gold. 

The print, coupled with the distinctive hand-feel and translucent softness of Liberty of London’s Tana Lawn Cotton make this dress a comfortable and feminine style. 

Introducing the Magee 1866 Spring/Summer 2022 Collection – COAST  

Inspired by over 1,000 kilometres of Donegal coastline, where we have been designing, weaving and tailoring luxurious fabrics for five generations. 

“Spring Summer 2022 was designed with hope in mind following the long months of a pandemic that has turned the world upside-down. While working on the collection we had taken time to watch spring slowly appearing following a winter of uncertainties. The idea of a fresh start and new life are the core elements in our colourful and optimistic collection for SS22.    

We have looked at how we have adapted over the last couple of years, especially what we are wearing. The emphasis on casual wear has accelerated and we have embraced this more relaxed, comfortable approach in this collection with Irish linen shirts and drawstring trousers, luxury cashmere jumpers, sweats and colourful cotton polos and t-shirts.  

However, we are looking forward to dressing up again! Our tailored collection includes classic lightweight tweeds and summer weight jackets, but with a focus on unstructured silk and linen blend jackets styled with lightweight cotton chinos and printed shirts.” 

Classic patterns sit beside bold and oversized checks in this collection with the colour pallet inspired by the sea and land. Sea blues, mossy greens, earthy oats, peaty browns are accented by the colours of local flora like gorse, fuchsia, blackberry, moss and montbretia that were historically used to create the colourful speckles synonymous with Donegal Tweeds. “

-Design Director, and 5th generation family member, Charlotte Temple reflects on the design process.  

Cheerful, bright colours of raspberry pink, sunset orange, naval and sea blues are contrasted in this collection with timeless, neutral shades of natural linen oat, sky grey, olive and forest greens. While the fabrics focus on natural fibres – silk, cotton, cashmere, linen, merino and lambswool, much of which is designed and woven at our mill in Donegal, Ireland.  

Women’s Collection

A new addition to the range of knitwear is a luxurious cotton cashmere blend in four styles This season sees a host of new additions to the women’s collection. The Aoife is a preppy, short unstructured jacket in a micro houndstooth silk and cotton blend tweed and is complemented by a beautiful range of luxurious lightweight cashmere knitwear. 

The Rebecca shirt dress is a standout piece, available in three colours ranging from calming pale blue Irish linen to a vibrant Liberty of London print. The Liberty of London pieces don’t end there, the new Patty top will add a burst of colour to your wardrobe and the easy to wear Tessa tunic will become your go-to top for trips to the beach. Women’s collection favourites like the Emma and Grace coats return in fresh, new lightweight tweeds, designed and woven at our mill. 

 

Men’s Collection

Ireland’s unpredictable weather is taken into account in the Men’s collection, the timeless Glenveigh quilted jacket is joined by a new style, the Dingle, a 4-pocket showerproof unstructured jacket, available in two colours.   

Familiar tailored styles like the Liffey Jacket are reimagined in a summery mix of linen and silk blends, woven in house, with a new addition, the Adare, a soft unstructured jacket that offers a comfortable, put together look. Making a triumphant return to the men’s collection after a long absence, men’s shorts, in cotton chino or linen, are accompanied by a selection of t-shirts, polos and the softest cotton sweatshirts.  

Irish Linen

Natural fibre fabrics are central to our collections and this season is no exception with Irish Linen making up a large part of Spring Summer for both men and women.

The ultimate versatile fabric, linen is synonymous with summer and perfect whether you’re relaxing on the beach or working in the city. Crafted in Irish Linen, woven and finished at the Magee weaving mill in Donegal, highlights include the Rowan overshirt for men, the Mourne boyfriend fit jacket for women, drawstring trousers for both and for the ultimate in summer chic, the Finn suit in a dark inky blue linen, perfect for a special occasion.  

This collection is designed to maximise your summer and as always, each quality piece is made with longevity in mind.  

Shop in store or online from February.

Photography: Suzy McCanny  

Videography: Ciarán Carty  

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