Design In a new book by Gormley, In The Company of Nature, she describes struggles with investors, chaotic board meetings and times when the couple barely had enough money to eat. She speaks of putting their home up as collateral for their business, of wresting control back from a private equity firm and of just how wrong exponential growth was for their business both ethically and economically. There can be a dangerous mythology around entrepreneurship which can airbrush out reality, Gormley explains. We are often told stories of effortless success and vision and growth but rarely the fear and uncertainty. Every chapter of my life has shaped me, so it was important to me to include within the book moments of vulnerability, uncertainty and what could be perceived as failure but what is all part of the process of becoming. A key aspect of this becoming was Gormleys growing desire to connect with nature. Having holidayed regularly in Cornwall, when the opportunity arose to move to the extraordinary Trematon Castle, which overlooks Plymouth Sound (part of Prince Williams Duchy of Cornwall), the couple did everything in their power to become custodians of the estate. The nine-acre estate is characterised by its Georgian-era house, Norman castle walls, and gardens which were redesigned by the previous leaseholders acclaimed landscape gardeners Isabel and Julian Bannerman. By the time Gormley and her husband got the keys to Trematon and made the move with their two children, Javi and Lila, the gardens had become overgrown. Friends who visited us in the early days were daunted for us but we werent daunted at all, she admits. Luckily my husband is greenfingered and we found a gardener who had previously worked at Trematon, a knowledgeable guy in tune with our way of doing things. More than aesthetics, its about working with natures cycles and systems. Now in year seven of their 20-year lease, Gormley says that the longer the family has lived on the estate, the more nature has influenced her decision to run her business with nature at its heart. The more we observed, the more nature started to become our teacher. Our neighbours, regenerative farmers, began to tell us about the upsides of regenerative farming and we began to wonder how we could bring the principles of regeneration into our business. We had just become a B Corp, and were often written about as being a sustainable brand, but the idea of regeneration blew our minds. Gormley says that the current economic system, which endlessly exploits natural resources to produce products, is completely unsustainable and she posits a radical new structure in which a businesss impact on nature would be measured in the same way that its financial profit and loss is. Imagine if businesses restoring biodiversity, soil health or watershed resilience received tax benefits and on the flipside companies that are degrading ecosystems had to fully account for those costs? It would reshape corporate behaviour, she says. What is so shortsighted is that we depend on nature for business, it is a life support system. As environmentalist David Brower famously said: There is no business on a dead planet. In 2023, House of Hackney enshrined its commitment to the protection and regeneration of nature, becoming the second company in the world (after Faith in Nature) to legally appoint Mother Nature and Future Generations as directors of the company the voice of these somewhat abstract board members is represented by Charmian Love, a sustainability activist and co-founder of B Lab UK, a non-profit organisation that supports certified B Corporations. This year, House of Hackney will lodge the social and environmental costs of goods sold alongside its financial results, the company is working on a greenprint for regenerative business, developing a wallpaper from plant waste and has pioneered a regenerative cotton velvet for the interiors industry. Its about everything from governance to supply chains to internal culture to how responsible we are with our platform, says Gormley. We could have become a charity, but we believe that businesses can play a really important TOP: Trematon Castle and its gardens. ABOVE LEFT: The kitchen features House of Hackneys Plantasia wallpaper in sage and Trematon Stripe Jacquard curtains in verdigris. ABOVE: In the living room, the walls are covered in House of Hackneys Artemis wallpaper in jadeite. The sofas and ottoman are from House of Hackneys furniture collection, upholstered in the brands nature-inspired velvet and jacquard fabrics. role. I feel proud to produce beautifully made things that bring joy into peoples lives, but for us it cant just be product for products sake. As she sits in the magnificent gardens at Trematon I ask her how hopeful she is that businesses can be not just sustainable, but restorative. I see a beautiful world ahead with us rolling up our sleeves collectively and redefining what good looks like. The plants are our elders, there is so much we can learn from nature and I am thankful to the garden for its teachings. In the Company of Nature: Regenerating Business, Community and the Living World by Frieda Gormley, Chelsea Green Publishing, is out now. THE GLOSS MAGAZINE July/August 2026 35 PERFECT PICNICS / EARTHY SCENTS / OUTDOOR DRINKS / SUMMER READING / GARDEN TO PLATE / CULTIVATING STYLE / STARGAZING MAGAZINE JULY/AUGUST 2026 with THE IRISH TIMES LET NATURE IN .thegloss.ie ww w Frieda Gormley in Cornwall summer in the garden CATHERINE FITZGERALD IN BALLYFIN Contents IN THIS ISSUE THE GLOSS MONTHLY REMINDER SIGN UP to receive a monthly reminder by email when THE GLOSS is out so that you never miss an issue. Simply register your details on WWW.THEGLOSS.IE. EDITOR JE NNIFE R STE V E NS D EP UT Y ED IT OR S Í O MHA CO NNO LLY S TYLE E D I T O R AISLI Advertorial Q&A At Close Range Y Perfumer and Founder of Cloon Keen, Margaret Mangan our favourite virtue Every business is an act of imagination that conjuresafuturethatdoesntyetexist.Hopeisthevirtuethatpushes you to evolve, shaping yourself and your work to meet that vision. Without hope, you Advertorial PERPETUAL MOTION As one of Irelands most respected luxury jewellers and watch specialists, Weir & Sons prestigious Grafton Street store is a distinguished authorised service centre for Rolex Having worked with Rolex for almost a century, our relationship with the brand is built on shar Advertorial Weir & Sons Rolex Watch Makers and Chris Andrews, MD. components. For Rolex owners in Ireland, every timepiece entrusted to the Dublin workshop is handled by Rolex-trained watchmakers. At Weir & Sons there are five Rolex-trained watchmakers and a Rolex technician, led by Brian OConnell Glossip TWO UP Heating Up Gloss~ip! @SIMONEROCHA How does your garden grow? FLORAL FINISHES T here is a particular beauty to an Irish garden. Shaped by our rain-softened climate, everything grows with a quiet abundance. No two days are the same as hedges become thick and generous, lawns seem Photo by Flavien Carlod, for advertising purposes only. Cloud 9. Enric Ruiz Geli. GENEROUS DISCOUNTS ON ALL CLEARANCE AND EX-DISPLAY ITEMS DUBLIN 18 - Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, D18 XF34 Fashion 2 Spot The Trend Embrace retro charm this summer, says Aislinn Coffey CHLOÉ 3 LAUNCHMETRICS/IMAXTREE 1 4 5 6 7 9 8 VIBRANT FLORALS Florals this summer are tropical and bold with a Palm Beach feel: think almost-clashing blue, green and aquamarine botanical prints that blend preppy, INVITATION TO CONSIGN FINE JEWELLERY AUCTION An Irish Connection to An International Market A Gold and Sapphire Bangle by Mario Buccellati, circa 1955 Sold last May for €37,500 26 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2 +353 1 676 0261 - info@adams.ie For a free & confidential appointment: jewellery@adams. Moodboard Summer Mood Lush by Susan Zelouf 2 8 9 10 6 5 1. IM WINKING at strangers behind Loewe Signature Floral sunnies. 2. IM DANCING til dawn in Blumarine 7 Resort 2027. 3. IM TEMPTING pandas with bamboo 3 sourced from Glengarriff Bamboo Park. 4. IM POINTING at the ceiling in Saint La IN THE HEART OF THE STORY Annual Membership to Circle Club allows unparalleled access to centre-stage seats for every performance at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Members enjoy pre- and post-show access to the Circle Club lounge, which provides a welcoming space to dine, connect and share the experience Fashion Fashion Notes Colour Theory A brighter approach to dressing ADD TEXTURE Its not the season to be quiet, says Aislinn Coffey FENDI PASTEL & PRIMARY TEXTURE: Chanels showstopping frothy, textured skirts. COLOUR BLOCKING: IMAXTREE/LAUNCHMETRICS Fendi combined rich, jewel-tone colours. JEWELS CAPSULE CARD - AVAILABLE NOW A PALETTE OF EIGHT RICH SHADES INSPIRED BY NATURAL MINERALS Free colour cards & wallpaper samples Paint & wallpaper to order Nationwide Stockists +44 (0) 161 230 0882 info@paintandpaperlibrary.com paintandpaperlibrary.com Mens Style Menswear Notes 1 Lightweight jackets from cool brands, by Aislinn Coffey 2 Forest green Oliver vintage wash chore jacket, 230; www.percivalclo.com. 3 1. Blue Toby frames, Entourage of 7, 395; www.goodseeco. com. 2. Office blue cotton T-shirt, Carhartt WIP, 39; www.tribe-clothing.co DUX IS MORE THAN JUST A BED. ITS A VEHICLE FOR WELL-BEING. THE DUX BED IS ABOUT DEEP SLEEP. THATS THE ONLY TIME WHEN YOUR BODY CAN REPAIR, REBUILD AND RESTORE ITSELF. www.duxiana.ie 01-5130332 DUXIANA DUBLIN, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin OPENING SOON Advertorial The more you understand the issues, the more you want to act. Nature and Nurture Behind the scenes at Clarins V irginie Courtin grew up at the very heart of the beauty industry. Her grandfather Jacques Courtin-Clarins founded the company in Paris in 1954, and her father, uncle and co Advertorial I would like people to see Clarins as the most inspiring, innovative and caring beauty company in the world. What do you want people to know about Clarins and its positive impact? I would like people to see Clarins as the most inspiring, innovative and caring beauty company in the world newcastledesign.ie Beauty Beauty Notes SLIP News & views, by Sarah Halliwell TRIED & TESTED: CODAGE LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE AT VELVAERE SPA Velvaere always warrants a visit: its a hidden oasis in the centre of Dublin, on Le Pole Square, near Dublin Castle. Velvaere is peaceful, friendly and packing a punch when it comes FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF OUR CLINICS FILO AESTHETICS CORK 2nd Floor, Exchange House Main Street, Ballincollig, Co Cork, P31 K020. +353 (87) 788 9009 FILO AESTHETICS DUBLIN Unit 501, Charlestown Shopping Centre, St Margarets Street, Charlestown, Dublin 11. +353 (87) Beauty 5 3 1 6 4 7 2 DOWN TO EARTH 8 Get grounded with summers earthy scents, says Sarah Halliwell S ummers scents come straight from the soil. At this time of year most of us reach for sun-warmed floral and fruit bouquets perfumes of pink blossoms, ripe cherries and peaches or else beach ! FINNANDELDER.IE Castlebellingham, Co. Louth sales@oconnorsofdrumleck.ie +353 (0) 42 937 2625 oconnorsofdrumleck.ie Gardens 3 4 1 2 Cultivating Style Gardening is garnering attention from the fashion crowd. Sarah Macken digs deeper G 26 July/August 2026 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE 5 1. Milli Proust and Paris Alma, founders of @alma.proust seed shop. 2. The Instagram account of Dwayne Black @blackinmotion shows Gardens 10 9 8 11 @PAMELAANDERSON 7 14 12 13 allotment essential which has garnered a cult following among Irish creatives and is worn by the team at Mark Grehans flower shops, The Garden (€240; www.abitoilive.com). If all else fails, a blue workwear jacket (€195; www.vetra.fr) and gardeni Advertorial James Kavanagh embraces the good life with heritage blues From Dublin buzz to countryside calm, James Kavanagh is transforming his storybook home with bold Dulux Heritage Boathouse Blue at its heart W hen social media influencer and TV presenter James Kavanagh and his partner William Advertorial womb. Its the womb room! He loves that the colour changes throughout the day. It feels really fresh and bright in the daytime, but then it gets quite moody and dark in the evening, which I love. The shade also marries beautifully with James existing decor. Its a really lovely backdrop t Shopping Willow garden trug, SAILLE BASKETS, 150, at Irish Design Shop, 41 Drury Street, Dublin 2. Blue Kojima denim work jacket, 350; WWW.NIWAKI.COM. Green Fingers Brown reversible sheepskin gilet, CELTIC & CO, 265.50; www.next.ie. Dark green Mesa Planter 01, KELLY WEARSTLER, 355; www.serax.co Advertorial In 2022 he had a vision to set up a specialist nursery to provide Irish garden designers and homeowners with a uniquely curated collection of mature trees and specimen plants that couldnt be found anywhere else. A ll great gardens start with the plants. While many of us throw a plant SUMMER SALE NOW ON EXCLUSIVE RANGE OF VISUAL COMFORT LIGHTING ON DISPLAY IN OUR SHOWROOMS SHOWROOMS OPEN 7 DAYS 17 LOWER BRIDGE STREET, DUBLIN 8 CUSTOMER PARKING AVAILABLE WWW.HICKENLIGHTING.COM Design AT ONE WITH NATURE House of Hackney founder Frieda Gormley speaks to Ruth OConnor about her new book, shifting Mother Nature from muse to business partner and rewilding the idea of business itself ... PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD N ABOVE: Trematon Castle sits on a nine-acre estate o Design In a new book by Gormley, In The Company of Nature, she describes struggles with investors, chaotic board meetings and times when the couple barely had enough money to eat. She speaks of putting their home up as collateral for their business, of wresting control back from a private equity fir Theatre CENTRE STAGE Lynn Enright meets actors Derbhle Crotty, Judith Roddy, Aisling Kearns and Kate Gilmore to discuss their roles in Conor McPhersons latest masterpiece, The Brightening Air PHOTOGRAPH BY DOREEN KILFEATHER T here were self-actualised women living impressive, independent lives in Theatre for all of these characters they have a sense of humour. When I ask her what drew her to the job in particular, Crotty hoots. Its a no-brainer. I mean, Conor is an extraordinary writer. Its a luxury offer. Its not really about being drawn to it, its more the kind of thing youd crawl over p Travel Travel Notes Ard na Sidhe Country House Hotel. Penny McCormick joins the growing band of star trekkers and astro tourists The gardens. A garden terrace room. CHECKING IN: ARD NA SIDHE COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, CO KERRY VIBE Elegant, lakeside Edwardian country house in a secluded setting. NE Interview With a Man INPHO We were just two guys with shared goals. We never talked too much about the brotherly thing. Paul ODonovan Rowing for Gold Paul ODonovan is an Olympic champion rower, and a qualified physiotherapist and medical doctor. From Skibbereen in Co Cork, he won silver in the M Advertorial Interview With a Man Interview With a Man Is there a magic to a first gold that cannot be matched by subsequent golds? I think you have to take each of them on their own merits. All wins are good. Theyre all different and theres no point in trying to pick favourites. If you tried to p Restaurants Restaurant Notes Forget food miles at these restaurants, ingredients travel from garden to plate, says Ciara McQuillan THE GREEN BARN THE GREEN BARN AT BURTOWN HOUSE, CO KILDARE: THE GARDEN Burtown Houses kitchen garden is a working ecosystem. A walled garden, a fouracre field plot Wine Brighter & Lighter Julie Dupouy finds affordable pairings for picnics I rish summer always feels slightly borrowed it never seems to last long enough. The moment the sun appears, the entire country slips into a kind of joyful frenzy to catch every possible ray of light. Parks and beaches s Food A Walk In The Park Kitty Coles knows how to pack a perfect picnic E veryones idea of a picnic is different. In Ireland, a picnic tends to mean sandwiches sweating in foil, crisps, supermarket sausage rolls, tubs of coleslaw, perhaps some strawberries, and warm canned drinks. Otherwise known Books Reading Notes Sarah Halliwell on the best books for summer S pend your summer indulging in new arrivals from some of the very best international writers this summer, from Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead (Fleet, €19) to Ben Lerners highly acclaimed Transcription (Grant, €18), another novel Books How I Write IMANI THOMPSON London-based Imani Thompson won the Vogue new writers prize in 2019 as an undergraduate at Cambridge University. Her debut novel, the darkly funny and vicious Honey, triggered a ten-way auction and has already sold in ten languages. Honey (The Borough Press) is out This Glossy Life At Ballyfin, Catherine FitzGerald is quietly rewilding one of Irelands grandest estates, blending romance, restraint and a deep reverence for landscape. Deirdre McQuillan speaks to the designer PHOTOGRAPHS BY VERONIKA FAUSTMANN T SLOW AND SUBTLE he great thing about Ballyfin is This Glossy Life London-based architect Mark Lutyens (great-great-nephew of the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens) have included Hillsborough and Glenarm Castles in Northern Ireland, a Physic Garden in Edinburgh, as well as small private London gardens. The love of gardening was fostered growing u This Glossy Life Other plans include planting ornamental trees, cherries and crab apples beyond the cascade as our mission is to bring things into focus, to soften, to make it more inviting. Bordering the mown paths with blossoming trees and more bulbs will blend in with the greenery. She also want Wholefoods Supplements Natural Skincare Earth Friendly Products Try this Fibraed r ich Summer Sal up Build your s e p i c Re Wholefood ingredients for feel-good cooking Find us in selected Dunnes Stores across Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Naas and Tralee NOURISH.IE