Rosy Temple Follows Family Footsteps into Magee 1866

Magee 1866 set up their flagship store in Dublin’s Grafton Quarter, and recently we spoke with Rosy Temple, who has made her family debut into the business to learn more about what makes Magee 1866 Unique to Dublin Town.

Magee 1866 is renowned for their tailoring for both ladies and gentlemen, as well as a host of beautiful knitwear and accessories. At their South Anne Street store in The Grafton Quarter you’ll find everything from wedding suits to women’s dresses, blankets for the home and candles too, as well as their signature Donegal tweed jackets.

Rosy Temple has joined the fifth generation family-run business, following in the footsteps of her father Lynn Temple, Chairman of Magee 1866, and siblings Charlotte Temple, Design and Retail Director, and Patrick Temple, CEO of Magee Weaving. As Sales Development Manager, Rosy will spend her time between the Dublin store and Donegal to focus on driving Irish retail sales. In addition, the youngest of five has also become the Head of Marketing and PR.

The brand is also famous for its use of wool, and after a three month trip cycling and camping in Patagonia, Rosy worked on a merino sheep farm in Chile with the specific aim of understanding the raw material of wool, the very backbone of the Magee 1866 brand. Shining the spotlight on the womenswear line, Rosy is excited to champion the luxurious Donegal woven fabrics and spread the word more about what makes Magee 1866 so unique.

How do you feel now that you’re part of the family business?

After five years of business experience in London, I’m really delighted to now be involved in the family business. It is a real privilege to have the opportunity to work closely with my brother, sister and Dad together with a super team in Dublin & Donegal. I’m so excited to be part Magee 1866 and its future!

Growing up, was the brand always part of your lives?

Absolutely – a family business most definitely extends beyond the office! When I was little there were always bolts of fabric and clothing samples around the house – by osmosis the family business is very much in the blood. We do try and make sure not to talk about work all the time though! Luckily, as a family we share plenty of interests outside work which keeps us in check. You’ll often find us out for a cycle or a run together on the weekends!

How would you describe Magee 1866?

Magee 1866 is a unique Irish brand with international appeal. We pay homage to our 152 years of heritage by making our own luxury fabrics which are woven and designed in Donegal – the very heart of what we do. We then bring a contemporary edge to this heritage with our focus on design, which is evident in our superb mens and womenswear collections. Our collections also range from the formal to the casual – so we have you covered! I just love that we have a balance of tradition with a contemporary twist. It really gives our clothing something special and a timeless appeal.

Which 3 pieces are your favourite from the womenswear?

I love wearing quality natural fibers, so for the summer my go-to jacket is the Moyne. Its luxurious mix of silk and linen make it perfect for those warm summer evenings! I’m a big fan of colour too so you’ll often see me in the raspberry Alicia jacket, which goes perfectly with a pair of jeans. And I usually go for casual over formal, so the cream and pink bomber jacket is a staple for me.

How would you describe your neighbourhood of the Grafton Quarter?

Our flagship store in South Anne Street is in such a buzzing area of town. With Grafton Street a stone’s throw away there is an abundance of retail therapy on offer! And of course when it comes to food and drink – too much choice! Just opposite our store you can find yourself a real Irish pub in Keogh’s for that taste of Guinness or go and sample a delicious range of Irish produce at Sheridan’s Cheesemonger! If you are in need of some leafy relaxation, pop up to St Stephen’s Green!

We are very happy for Rosy Temple to become one of the newest faces of the family-run Magee 1866 brand, and wish her the best of luck at the South Anne Street store.

If you are in Dublin for the day, do come and visit Magee 1866. There you can really get a sense of what Irish heritage pieces are all about!