by Galyna Zaitseva
For me, fashion has always been a playground for experimentation. Perhaps this feels especially natural when you are young, when curiosity is still stronger than habit and personal style has not yet settled into a fixed formula. That was one of the reasons I wanted Caoimhe Teeling to be part of this project.
There is an ease about her that immediately makes you want to experiment. She is energetic, cheerful, open and, most importantly, genuinely curious. She does not seem interested in fashion as a set of instructions. For her, it is much closer to play.
“I see fashion as a way of expressing yourself and showing a bit of your personality,” she says. “I love feminine pieces, colour and anything that feels a little different, but I also like mixing things up and not taking fashion too seriously.”
Caoimhe works in the pharmacy in Schull, where she especially enjoys the human side of the job. That warmth comes through very quickly when you meet her.
Outside work, beauty and makeup are a big part of her world. She has always enjoyed experimenting with different looks and styles, not in a particularly serious or perfectionist way, but as something fun and creative.
She talks about spending time with friends, getting ready together, trying something different just because you feel like it.
When I asked Caoimhe whether she was willing to experiment with her style, the answer was immediate. “Definitely.” And she meant it.
“I love experimenting, whether that’s with clothes, makeup, hair or trying a style that I wouldn’t normally go for. I think that’s one of the most fun things about fashion and beauty because you can change it depending on your mood and discover new sides of yourself.”
That attitude became the starting point for the styling. I wanted the clothes to feel playful rather than polished in a predictable way.
There is something wonderfully disarming about fashion in a rural setting. Clothes immediately lose some of their seriousness.
The three looks in this shoot are not choosing one fixed version of femininity, but allowing softness, humour, colour, toughness and a little contradiction to exist side by side.
Look 1
The first look begins with something familiar and romantic: a red gingham dress.
But instead of wearing it in the expected way, I layered it over wide-leg jeans and added a chunky textured cardigan. That simple shift immediately changes the mood. The dress is still feminine, still slightly nostalgic, but it no longer belongs to one particular style story.
A red ribbon with a flower at the neck echoes the red shoes, creating a strong colour rhythm through the outfit. Then the yellow checked bag and hat are thrown in almost like an interruption.
The statement earrings pick up the warm yellow accents and give the upper part of the look more presence.
There is a lot going on, deliberately so.
For me, this look is where cottagecore meets contemporary eclecticism. It has the romance of the countryside, but without being overly sweet or predictable. The jeans toughen it slightly, the colour combinations make it more playful, and the different checks don’t match too perfectly.
Stylist’s tip: Don’t be afraid to combine several prints or strong colours in one outfit. One of the easiest ways to make an eclectic mix feel intentional is to repeat a colour in more than one place. It creates a visual thread and helps even unexpected combinations feel connected.
Look 2
The second look is more mischievous.
Stripes become the visual thread running through the whole outfit. They appear on the micro shorts, return on the high socks and, unexpectedly, continue onto the teddy bear attached to the bag – who is also wearing a striped shirt.
It is a tiny detail, but those are often the details I enjoy most.
The romantic white top brings softness, while the oversized leather jacket and heavy boots pull the look in a grungier direction. Neither side wins completely. That is what keeps it interesting.
The large earrings add another point of focus around the face, while the little bag and teddy bear introduce a sweet, almost naive element.
I like clothes that contain a slight contradiction.
Something feminine with something rough. Something polished with something silly. Something that looks serious from a distance and makes you smile when you notice the details.
Stylist’s tip: Accessories do not have to be the final, practical addition to an outfit. Sometimes they can be the starting point. An unusual bag, a pair of bold earrings or one repeated pattern can give an entire look its personality.
Look 3
The third outfit is quieter at first glance, but the contrast is still there.
A soft white knitted top and a flowing skirt create a light, romantic base. Over that, I added an oversized leather jacket and cinched it at the waist with a wide brown belt.
The belt is the detail that changes the entire silhouette.
Without it, the jacket would remain loose, oversized and slightly detached from the softness underneath. With it, the proportions shift. The waist becomes visible, the jacket becomes almost sculptural, and the whole outfit feels more deliberate.
Black slingback flats with metallic details add a sharper note, while the small black bag connects back to them. Large earrings once again bring attention towards the face.
The romance is still there, but it has some resistance now. Leather, metal and the strong line of the belt stop the outfit from becoming too delicate.
Stylist’s tip: Try wearing a belt over an oversized jacket or blazer. It is such a small adjustment, but it can completely alter the proportions and make a familiar piece feel new again.
A special thank you to Mary and Gerry for so generously allowing us to photograph on their farm and for making us feel so welcome.
Makeup, styling and photography by Galyna Zaitseva.
