Make the most of your Accessories

Accessories Styling 

'Its all about the detail' we have all heard this and it couldn't be more true this year when accessorising your fashion.  Use accessories to bring your fashion into this season, give your look a pop of colour, a stylish clutch or add a jewelled neckpiece to your style.

One of  the best ways to show how to mix and match your accessories is to use my fashion show style looks.  I style my models wearing black to highlight all the hats, bags, jewellery, gloves or shoes for the audience.  Or when I have the opportunity to accessorise with fashion then even better!!

Here I have added a pop of orange with this silk hat to bring out the detail of the summer dress on the left and the royal neckpiece I use on the right adds a touch of colour just to lift this look and bring colour nearer the face. Many of us look paler when we have white near our face.  These fashion looks are from Guna Deas Boutique.

Niamh is wearing one of my classic 'Jenny' Hat in Black trimmed with silk and a silver/pearl brooch.  I have teamed it with pearl and crystal jewellery and this stiff black/silver clutch.  Even with a plain black dress this look is very classic.

Aoife is modelling the creams and golds.  A bespoke silk Suzie Mahony Designs hat in creams and golds, the multi strand neckpiece in pearl and gold, with a 'lips' Gold Clutch Bag.  Perfect accessory suite for a ivory/cream dress or even teamed with a block colour dress in black, red or other tones.

Shauna models this fun blush look with a silk button hat with a handmade blush beaded collar.
Collars are fantastic to add a little lift to any outfit, dress it up or down.  This collar is also great with a blush top or jumper for a more casual day out.

Sandra is modelling my Royal Blue Suite.  A royal disc shaped headpiece with the royal neckpiece teamed with a silver clutch picking up the silver of the hat.  This would also work perfectly with silver jewellery for more formal look or indeed wear the beaded neckpiece with a smart/casual look for daywear.

Our lady in red is Chloe, a beautiful red waffle veiling headpiece with a red beaded clutch and a touch of elegance with red lace gloves.  Red is huge this season and here I am showing different options.  You may opt for just the red hat and bag without the gloves, or a black glove depending on your look.

All the models in this blog are students from Transition Year at Portumna Community School.  They were amazing, first time on the catwalk and under the guidance of Muirne Hurley-Goode Manager Ladies Day Boutique they looked stunning on the night.

Sarah is wearing a disc shaped navy and white trimmed hat but with extra trimming of feather flowers, quills and mesh.  This gives the hat a lift and an angle that we often need for an outfit or occasion.  This 'Brona' bag is a metallic stone beaded clutch with lots of tones on it including navy.  Its a perfect bag for so many looks.

All of the accessories used for these looks are available at Suzie Mahony Designs.  The hat and headpiece collection can be tailor made to suit your outfit with my dyed to match service I offer clients at my studio.

I hope you enjoyed my blog and even picked up some tips along the way.

suzie x

The Wedding: Mother of the Bride/Groom

The Wedding:  Mother of the Bride/Groom

Having a son or daughter getting married has to be one of the biggest moments in a parents life. As Mother of the Bride you are the main troubleshooter and being there for your daughter.  Learn how much input is required of you from your daughter, some ladies want to do almost everything themselves whilst others need a little more assistance and listening ear along the way.   With the excitement comes the various debates and discussions about 'what to wear', 'colours', 'style' and much more.


I have witnessed every conceivable scenario over the years styling Mothers of the Bride or at least I think I have until I am faced with a new one!!  Mums who have never worn a hat before, panicking about what to do.  The last thing to do is panic.  There is a hat or headpiece that suits every lady and when you visit my studio you learn the designs that best suit you and your outfit.

With the lapse of time comes the variety and changes in wedding ceremonies.  Weddings are held not just in churches now but on a beach, at a castle, in the hotel ballroom or abroad.   If you are travelling abroad your hat is your hand luggage!!





When it comes to choosing her outfit the Mother of the Bride is often guided on which colours to wear or not to wear, the particular 
look that her daughter wants to achieve for her wedding day.  This collaboration is wonderful between Mums and their daughters.  Spending time with each other during this process is precious and should not be stressful, you should be able to enjoy it and express what it is you feel confident wearing.   Mother of the Bride should be dressed for her own role not matching bridesmaids unless the Bride has specifically instructed this.



'Mum' is very important and she should be elegant, look her absolute best but most of all, 'Mum' needs to be relaxed on your wedding day so she can enjoy it, meeting family and friends. Sometimes, the importance of this is lost in all the drama.   If you are a little organised and plan ahead, everything will fall into place.  You don't have to go shopping for numerous days to find an outfit or dress.  Do your homework first, all the leading Mother of the Bride/Groom Boutiques in Ireland stock an amazing array of labels and staff are experienced in choosing the right style and colours for you.  



When clients arrive at my studio I really enjoy getting to know a little of their personality as this is key to choosing the right hat design for her.   I coordinate all the accessories, the headpiece or hat can be designed dyed to match, occasion shoes and bags are also dyed to match, an array of beautiful clutch bags and occasion jewellery to complement any outfit. Your whole look can change totally with the right styling.  This process is relaxed and often lets us see the real personality of the Mother of the Bride. Giving you a complete look head to toe for your daughters wedding at Suzie Mahony Designs.