Copyright evoke
Tayto, Kerrygold, Guinness and Brennan's Bread are a cherished part of Irish life. These items are more than just familiar logos; they are part of our sense of Irishness. Perhaps that is why CMAT's recent appearance on the red carpet at the Mercury Music Awards with a Maya Grisham Kerrygold crystal clutch bag created such a stir. The singer proudly brought a little of our green isle to the red carpet in the UK with the unique purse. At the starry event, the guest list may have been glittering but CMAT's bag was the star of the show. The sparkly bag is the work of Meath-based designer Kimberley Tino, who has been making her crystal-encrusted bags since 2023. A student of optometry, who combines her creativity with a course in TUI, Grangegorman, Kimberley has found the response to her design overwhelming. She initially posted the bag to her Instagram in August when fellow Meath woman CMAT commented that she loved it. When Kerrygold noted the singer's interest, the company then commissioned a butter bag emblazoned with her monogram. Kimberley sat back and waited patiently. 'Then obviously because it was the custom one, and had her name on it, she ended up going for it,' the designer says. 'But that was her own choice - yeah, we couldn't be happier.' While Kimberley's joyful take on a block of Kerrygold butter is 'fun and sparkly', it is also incredibly labour-intensive as each crystal is applied individually. The Kerrygold design takes about 6,000 crystals, while her Tayto bag needs 10,000. It is she admits, 'a true labour of love'. This intricate work takes painstaking concentration, patience and sometimes no sleep. As Kimberley is a full-time student, she has been known to throw an all-nighter to meet a deadline. 'It's a lot of work - I've to make sure that they're done properly,' she explains. Her most difficult design is the Tayto bag, 'because it has a lot of folds to resemble an actual packet of crisps' and 'there's so many different sizes of crystals involved in it in comparison to the Kerrygold'. Trying to create a 3D effect using multiple size crystals to make the crisps look real and the Tayto mascot accurate, involves embellishments as tiny as 1mm in diameter. Kimberley jokes that because she is shortsighted, doing such close-up work is actually easier but adds that as an optometrist, she takes a break every 20 minutes to look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. View this post on Instagram 'What happens first is that I'll do the sketch and then there's a 3D modelling guy that I work with, he'll make a 3D render of the bag that will be the frame,' she explains. 'Once I make a few tweaks, then that goes to the metal joiner, who will cast it based on the 3D model shape.' Next, Kimberley starts applying all those thousands of tiny crystals, one by one. A self-confessed fashion lover with a maximalist look, she says her bags are perfect to bring individuality to an outfit. 'It's great to have a bit of fun when you're dressing up because people like to be very minimal, which isn't bad but it's a trend that's kind of taken over, and maximalist fashion is fun. It gets conversations going.' There has been 'an influx of brands' wanting to reimagine their products as a handbag since CMAT highlighted her work. 'It's exciting but it's also nerve-racking,' Kimberley admits, 'because it means a lot of background work and research before I can say, "Ok, here's the finished product". 'I don't think it helps that I'm a perfectionist either,' she laughs. To help with the surge in demand she has recruited her mother and another employee with Christmas coming. The cut-off for festive orders is the end of November and in December Kimberley will be selling her bags in person with an Irish retailer. She was also shortlisted recently for an Eir Power of Women Award in the Creative category. 'Sometimes it feels like I'm making bags forever, you know? But it was fantastic and it kind of pushed me to say, "Yeah, I made the right decision to pursue making the bags and to make the Kerrygold bag,' she says. CMAT may be her first celebrity fan but certainly not her last. 'I'd be very excited if there's more, definitely, because she put the brand under the spotlight,' says Kimberley. 'Even just the way the business has grown in the space of two-and-a-half months - it's really crazy. I haven't even had time to really settle down and think, wow, this is all happening so quickly after two years of being quiet.' View this post on Instagram Public reaction has been incredible too - when wearing her own Kerrygold bag, people are constantly stopping Kimberley for photos. 'People love it - it really gets people talking and smiling,' she says. Maya Grisham may not be a global brand like Kerrygold, but it has cheered up the nation with its cheeky, colourful creativity.
