The Tail of Claire de la Mare
As a young child I was fascinated by horses but they lived only in my imagination or as ornaments my father collected. When I became a fashion designer and moved to London I was told I worked too hard and needed a hobby. It was then that I fulfilled a lifelong dream to learn how to ride a horse. But there was more in store. When the world locked down in 2020, being unemployed I volunteered at the stables where I used to ride and these magnificent animals gave me the best year of my life.
My inaugural collection inspired by three horses I cared for during the 2020 lockdown and who left a hoof print forever on my heart - Boysie, Freddie, and Rhollex.
The logo is a tribute to Boysie, who taught me how to ride, portraying his star facial marking. It was my privilege to continue to care for Boysie post lockdown until he sadly had to be put to sleep in September 2024. The collection includes homewares, fashion, artwork and customised horseware. It also incorporates the One Trick Pony Collection marrying upcycling and sustainability to create one of a kind pieces.
My inaugural collection inspired by three horses I cared for during the 2020 lockdown and who left a hoof print forever on my heart - Boysie, Freddie, and Rhollex.
The logo is a tribute to Boysie, who taught me how to ride, portraying his star facial marking. It was my privilege to continue to care for Boysie post lockdown until he sadly had to be put to sleep in September 2024. The collection includes homewares, fashion, artwork and customised horseware. It also incorporates the One Trick Pony Collection marrying upcycling and sustainability to create one of a kind pieces.
I could never give back to them what they gave to me, but through Claire de la Mare, I hope to share that same joy with you.
Welcome to The Clothes Horse Club — where high fashion meets high horse.
Claire O'Connor & Buddy The Clothes Horse
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Buddy The Clothes Horse
Buddy — Hailing from Tipperary, this former show-jumper spent years turning heads in the parade ring before slipping into a well-earned retirement. But at 31 years young, Buddy has trotted back into the spotlight to become the ultimate clothes horse. Following in the hoofprints of the runway greats before him, Buddy refuses to get out of bed for anything less than “10K.” Fortunately he's convinced that means ten kilos of carrots, so the second the crunchy currency appears,he cocks his back leg, channels his inner “hand-on-hip” supermodel with a hoofy lean, and finishes it off with a world-class pout. Infamous for declaring, “Skinny never feels as good as food tastes,” Buddy proves that style and snacks can coexist beautifully .
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Claire O' Connor
Claire O' Connor is an Irish fashion designer based in London, she specializes in bespoke womenswear and works closely with a variety of luxury brands, dressing some of the world’s leading actresses and high profiled clients for red carpet events. Her expertise spans pattern cutting, crafting one-of-a-kind gowns from start to finish, and mastering hand embellishment and couture finishes. Now, she is channeling all her skills and experience into creating a horse-themed luxury brand, inspired by nature’s most exquisite masterpiece, bringing the same level of craftsmanship and elegance she is known for on the red carpet to the world of equestrian fashion.
