Click on this link to view the mod bootcut on our website http://bowandpearl.com/clothing/denim.html

Bronagh xx

What Inspires you most?

Simple.

I am inspired by spaces that transform the way you feel.

What makes you feel great about yourself?

1. Wearing a great outfit, obvious but true.

2. Being around good friends who enjoy laughing, chatting, listening, and aren’t afraid to be honest… I think surrounding yourself with people who support you. That is the perfect tonic.

What are your favourite things to do?

Ok, not in a specific order, but 5 of my favourite things to do are:

• Surprises. Little acts of kindness and special touches, like mailing cards for non occasions, buying little gifts just because. The unexpected and thoughtful keep life interesting!
• Entertain. Quality food, quality friends, and quality wine. I would throw a picnic, soiree, or dinner / dance party every month (or week) if I had the time. I love the process of entertaining, the theme, the food, setting the table. Orchestrating an environment is so satisfying, and watching it unfold! I even collect gorgeous colourful candles and table linens on all my travels so I can rotate looks.
• Baking. Ok, I’m obsessed, I had an apple pie business when I was 12 and I have been obsessed with baking ever since. Delicious, homemade food makes people smile.
• Date nights. My husband and I take turns to plan dates. One of us sets the time and location… only one of us knows the plan. The other meets there and the rest is revealed. Recently it was his date night, so he asked me to dress up, and I thought we were going to a classical concert, but nope, we arrived at an Underground Restaurant. Unique and delicious.
• Travelling + exploring. With friends, with my husband, even by myself. I love the adventure, the unknown, and finding little gems everywhere. Walking, and exploring markets, shops, boutiques, museums, beaches, you name it! And I always bring my camera… you never know around which corner you will find inspiration! Especially visiting markets, I love the energy, the buzz, the characters working behind each stand, and collecting little ‘nuggets’ from markets around the world. Flea, floral, farmers, food, fabric, frocks… you name it! I have explored markets from LA to Texas, and Dublin to Dhaka and New York to the Netherlands. One man’s junk is another woman’s treasure! (Bow & Pearl’ers should know that thou!)

Who is your fashion Icon?

Wow, big question. Grace Kelly, she just did it all so elegantly. She had Irish American roots and was a gal who lived in the Big Apple, so maybe I feel she is a kindred spirit. For contemporary icons, I think I have a new ‘icon crush’ every few months… it keeps me chasing different styles every seasons (or sometimes every day).

What is your typical day entail?

If I only knew! No two days are ever alike for me, nor am I in the same place for very long. Sometimes my diary is booked for three months straight and I think, wait a minute, what happened to having a holiday? You can get so involved with projects that time flies!

But being a consultant means you have to work in synch with many clients to help them manage timelines, expectations, and to prioritise. I start the day by saying good morning(!), immediately followed by whisking the iPhone from my bedside table, then zip off to the tea kettle for a fix of Lady Grey tea. The day just rolls forward from there. Whether catching a flight, writing a proposal, or lining up phone meetings and client calls, the one thing I consistently do EVERY day is JUGGLE! There are too many things for life to be sedentary. As my mom says about me, ‘Never a dull moment.’

What advice would you give to those trying to break into the design world?

Ten Top Tips for the Trade…. (run, don’t walk to get your pen and paper)!

1. Work your socks off! Few designers ever just had ‘it’ happen over night. There is no design fairy who sprinkles magic dust!

2. Think big, be bold, and be brave. Nuff’ said.

3. Make hay while the sun shines! Pretty self explanatory, but just in case, couch potatoes don’t get great jobs or projects.

4. Stay alert. You can become so myopic that you forget to observe the world and stay on top of trends!

5. Build bridges with all your contacts, and never close a door when you can leave it open…

6. Educate yourself, and be a sponge. Seek out advice from other Designers you admire, take classes, do free projects if needed to get experience, scour the web, hunt for ideas, sign up for apps, read blogs.

7. Inspiration. Be an eagle for ideas, keep a file of them, and photograph things constantly! You will never know when you will need that reference for a client. Inspiration comes in the least expected places.

8. Be your own Art Director. Be critical, and push yourself. Strive to be original, create your own signature.

9. Passion is the core of every great designer or artist. Use your passion to fuel your design fire.

10. Always leave things better than you found them. After all, good design is about improving the look, feel, or experience of things.

What is your proudest moment?

Proudest design moment was just after Bow & Pearl because it was my first project as a Consultant, and it was a great and incredibly rewarding experience! It taught me that I could work independently, and made me realise more than I knew I did.

• song/music: My music ranges from classical to rock and roll. I could dance for hours straight and love music. I get slightly obsessed with a few songs every few weeks which right now are: Lana Del Ray song ‘Video Game’s (she sounds like Nancy Sinatra), She and Him song ‘In The Sun’ and anything Beyonce did at Glastonbury. I guess I’m on a girl-y music phase!
• hobby: Painting (when I have the chance), photography, and tweeting… is that allowed as a hobby these days?
• drink: Blood Orange Bellinis, Nero d’Avolo wine while in Sicily, Mojitos with Mexican food. I love a good cocktail but no gin since it makes me bonkers! Oh, and tea.
• flower: Spring= Uncultivated Tulips. Summer = Peonies & Ferns (my wedding bouquet). Autumn = Sprigs of Japanese Elm (or anything in Autumnal colours). Winter= Satin Pods or fresh Evergreen sprigs…. OK, truth is, there are very few flowers I have ever seen that I didn’t like!
• travel: Favourite places… New York City & Brooklyn (I miss them dearly), Lucca, Provence, Cotswolds, Amsterdam & Ballinskellig.
• purchase: I recently bought a Kate Spade handbag! Love her stuff, vintage-y but city contemporary. And I never leave Liberty without buying something (danger!).
• beauty ritual: I am an absolute lotion and potion addict! I start with a Natural Body Bristle Brush before showering, to increase circulation and make skin glow! Toe to head… then I end the shower with a gorgeous Bamford Oil. Don’t be afraid of oil… I also use Rose Oil on my face in the evening, it is fantastic. I never travel anywhere without it and am religious about Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lip Balm. It is always in my handbag, with the labels peeled off. I like non branded or simple packaging. And I am obsessed with Chanel and Tom Ford lipsticks because of the elegant containers and lovely colours.

follow on twitter: @larasnider

website www.larasnider.com