Fashion designer strikes out on the high street for TV drama's hot look

The modern Dublin landscape is one of the stars of RTÉ's new drama, 'Striking Out', and so are the clothes which eagle-eyed costume designer, Tiziana Corvisieri selected from the Irish high street.

The glossy, contemporary drama is studded with lots of affordable fashion pieces, from Amy Huberman's character, Tara Rafferty, whose traditional solicitor's black suit is not from a high end designer brand but from Marks and Spencer.

The navy pinstripe suit worn by her cheating barrister boyfriend Eric (played by Rory Keenan) was a find at the wallet-friendly Zara while the black leather jacket worn by techie private eye, Meg (played by Fiona O'Shaughnessy) was a vintage find sourced from the pre-loved store Siopaella in Temple Bar.

Tara's ill-fated hen's outfit in last week's opening episode of the four-part series was both beautiful, and symbolic.

"For that scene, we actually looked at a lot of pink prom dresses because it was fundamental that she would show her femininity and a little bit of vulnerability, by wearing something so feminine in contrast to what was coming (in the plot line)."

Tiziana found the Ghost, peach, silk crepe dress all on its own at House of Fraser and swooped on it. The peach bolero was from Monsoon and Tara's silver star stud earrings came from TK Maxx.

But it is probably the tailored grey, off-the-peg trouser suit by the French brand, The Kooples, exclusive to Brown Thomas, which underlines Tara's change of heart, and job after she discovers her fiancé bedding another barrister.

"Tara starts out wearing a black suit which is very much in keeping with the legal-wear of female barristers and solicitors, so the grey suit was to depart from that, to illustrate the fact that she's actually leaving a firm, that she's leaving that world and that is why I chose that colour and that suit," said Tiziana, who was costume designer on 'Sing Street' which is up for a Golden Globe tomorrow in LA.

The Italian-born designer, who came to live in Ireland aged 14, was costume designer on the Oscar-winning film, Once.

Talented Tiziana is also a handbag designer and one of her black leather bags with brass chain is worn by Tara with her casual outfits.

Tiziana's creations have attracted something of a cult following and the designer sells her bags in private shows three times a year and also on her Etsy shop.