For the last month, the country has followed every dark twist and turn of the fiendishly addictive murder mystery show The Traitors Ireland hosted by Siobhán McSweeney.
Not only have we admired her presentation skills but also her beautiful gothic wardrobe created by Irish designers. Irish stylist and costume designer Anne O’Shea was responsible for creating more than two dozen looks for McSweeney, with major input from the star herself, who often wore her own clothes on screen.
She cites Miss Havisham, Death Becomes Her and 1930s femininity as influences while McSweeney said that she wanted to evoke a look that drew on Agatha Christie’s drawing room murders mixed with Irish mythology, Countess Markievicz and Enya.
Siobhán unabashedly loves style and as she revealed in an Instagram story about creating her distinctive looks, what she loved about Traitors was the scope it allowed ‘young designers and established designers to go hell for leather in what they want to do because this show can hold it.'
With her bespoke wardrobe for The Traitors, she really got to indulge her passion for fashion and to use it expertly to craft her character and add layers of innuendo and playfulness to her role as host. It was gothic glam delivered with an arched eyebrow, a knowing wink, and a great sense of style.
Here we look at some of Siobhan’s most striking looks from the series and review how The Traitors has not only made her into a style icon but has also served as a fantastic showcase for Irish designers.
Episode 1 – A fair isle knit suggests a cosy start but the ruff strike an unconventional note
Here Siobhán wore a traditional fair isle style sweater from Irish brand Magee 1866 with a very unconventional gold ruff. The pairing of the traditional design of the knit with the unexpected drama of the ruff is surprising but works well visually.
On the one hand, the knit suggests warmth and approachability but the ruff adds a gothic undertone and a glamorous, unexpected edge. The rich metallic colour of the ruff also plays into the theatrical atmosphere that the show cultivated and is suitably lush for the setting in an ancient castle.
Episode 1 – Tailoring V softness suggest a double nature
This outfit, consisting of a short black tailored tuxedo jacket, (Siobhán’s own made in Thailand) worn over a black knit and a gathered skirt by Orla Langan, perfectly fuses contrasting tailored and softer elements to suggest the double nature of Siobhan’s character.
Was she a friend or a foe to the contestants? Could they trust her or not? Whatever the subliminal messages that her outfit conveyed, it was super glam and gave her an appearance of authority.
The rich satin fabric in the collar of the jacket is echoed in the skirt, while the bold ruching suggests the heightened theatricality of Siobhán’s role.
Episode 2 – A red robe with a swirling design suggests roller-coaster emotions
Red was a colour that appeared repeatedly in the show, perhaps suggesting the blood that was spilled as contestants were murdered. This gorgeous red/ black/ white print robe (Siobhán's own) was made for a grand entrance while the swirling motif suggested the volatile emotions of the contestants as they struggled to know what was true, and what was a dastardly but smoothly delivered lie.
The design needed little embellishment so a jumper from M&S and a liquid onyx necklace from Delphi Antiques completed the look.
Episode 3 – Oriental style dress and cape with a ceremonial air
Here Siobhán sports a simple upcyled oriental style dress by Sarah O’Neill aka The Zero Waster with a dramatic cream cape of her own. Her outfit really pops against the sombre tones of the spooky team behind her and gives her an almost ecclesiastical air as master of ceremonies.
The accessories are striking too, particularly the Pierrot brooch on a half-moon from Delphi Antiques. The brooch adds a playful note while the unusual rings seem laden with unknown symbolism, and the statement earrings add a finishing flourish.
Episode 4 – Oran Aurelio baroque kimono robe
Siobhán obviously has a grá for designs with an Asian theme as here in episode 4 she again opts for a look with an Eastern influence. Her stunning kimono with a baroque motif in a gold hue, on a sludgy green, blue, and brown background by Irish designer Oran Aurelio, worn over a black lace trimmed slip dress is rich, decadent and divinely glamorous.
The dark colour palette reflects the atmosphere of intrigue and uncertainty and take a look at those stunning sapphire and diamond drop earrings from Delphi Antiques. We would kill for those alone.
Episode 6 - Bespoke tailoring and a humorous hat
Resplendent in the inkiest black bespoke tailoring by Stevie Blake of Monto and Perri and a divine Queen of Hearts headpiece, Siobhán is enjoying herself immensely.
Her earlier softer looks have segued into a darker and more devilish vein because, as the tension escalated, Siobhán’s wardrobe ratcheted up the momentum too.
Blake created a six-piece wardrobe for Siobhán consisting of a tailored jacket, white shirt, trousers with a cummerbund waistband, a ruffled skirt and the oversized collar shown here.
The aim was to make versatile pieces that could be mixed to create various different outfits, and everything was tailored specifically for Siobhán. She wore his designs on repeat in the show and also to the BAFTAs earlier this year.
Episode 8 – A tweed cloak brings drama with an Irish spin
Cloaks are synonymous with The Traitors, but Siobhán gave hers a distinctly Irish spin by wearing one in gorgeous, luxurious Donegal tweed from Magee 1866.
As she said on Instagram, 'I wanted to make the look for the Irish Traitors specifically Irish.’ Created again by Oran Aurelio, the enveloping design in what is traditionally known as a Kinsale or Killarney cloak, is full of mystery.
The addition of the Tara brooch style pin adds an extra Gaelic accent while the oversized hood emphasises all the concerns about identity and authenticity that underpin The Traitors.
Episode 12 – The red opera coat and empire line dress amp up the glamour for the finale
For the finale, Siobhán brought full on glamour to proceedings with another outfit by Oran Aurelio consisting of a vivid red, silk taffeta, opera coat with balloon sleeves worn over a co-ordinating red empire line dress with a smocked bust panel.
The look was finished off with Paul Rowan’s striking long black leather gloves with masses of tulle trim. The colour, the proportions and the accessories were all designed to make an impact and she looked fabulous. A lady in red with a difference.
