The day Olivia Newton-John bought a handknit suit designed by Edel MacBride

Twenty-six years later, designer Edel MacBride can vividly recall knitting the black-tweed Russian suit that Grease star Olivia Newton John bought in McAuliffes, Dunfanaghy.

Tributes have been pouring onto social media following confirmation the star passed away peacefully at her ranch in southern California on Monday. The Grease star was much-loved and proved inspirational to many. 

The star visited Dunfanaghy town with her daughter Chloe in 1996. Olivia Newton-John arrived in Donegal as part of BBC1 Holiday with Jill Dando, in 1996. The mother and daughter team enjoyed horse riding in the region. The star immersed herself in the culture of the area while in the town and enjoyed the music and mixing with friendly locals. They stayed in Arnolds Hotel in Dunfanaghy where Aisling Arnold and Chloe met.

Aisling Arnold recalls Olivia Newton-John's visit to Dunfanaghy in 1996

"Olivia was an absolute lady and she was really down to earth" - Aisling Arnold

During time off from her busy schedule, Olivia Newton-John visited the well-known McAuliffes shop on the main street. It was there she a suit caught her eye and bought it. The suit was designed by Edel MacBride who was absolutely delighted when she heard the star had bought one of her creations. 

A unique wee moment, in Donegal with #OliviaNewtonJohn.
Great horse woman, human, actress and customer,
The white horse arrived so soon #xanadu xxx
https://t.co/QeoHskQATg

— Edel MacBride (@edelspirit) August 8, 2022

Designer Edel MacBride said: "I will never forgetting knitting the sample at home the week William was born. The cool department store mentioned lots in early Sex & the City episodes called Henri Bendel NYC were the first to love and order it." Mc Auliffes would visit Showcase Ireland and call to Edel's studio at Convoy Mill as well such was their interest in her work. A great working relationship between the Dunfanaghy store and the Convoy-based designer ensured a call was made to Edel when the star walked out of the store with the designer suit in her bag. 

"It was very kind of them to let me know, I still love to hear stories of where my knitwear goes to live. In those days all pieces carried a ‘Handknit in Donegal’ label under my name. I’d say she liked that too. It was a nice connection to someone who burst into our teenage lives when I was in second year," she said. 

Edel remembers all the hype associated with the show when it was released in 1978 but recalls not being allowed to go. 

"When you think back to Ireland then Grease the movie brought a new level of sassy USA teenage culture to us, sure we were all Sandy Dees," the well-known designer says. 

Below is a photograph of the Black Tweed Russian Suit worn by Marie Staunton in a BLARNEY Woollen Mills fashion show in Cork circa 1997. 

This photograph shows the Russian Suit in Kilcarra tweed, with chenille ‘knit the fur’ trims. Long knit tweed pencil skirt. Made at Edel MacBride Convoy Mill 1996, worn by Sonia Reynolds second on right.