An Irish Afternoon Tea

 

Earlier in the year I was approached by Neworld Associates who had seen my ‘Little Women Big Ideas’ illustration and kept me in mind for this super exciting project. Vintage Tea Trips is a small Irish business which offers a unique afternoon tea experience, the Irish way. Customers pop on board a vintage 1960s bus (who is called Kitty, after the grandmother of the owner - how lovely is that), and they are offered a delicious afternoon tea while traveling around Dublin city and listening to heartwarming vintage tunes. The company was going through a big rebrand, and I was approached to provide illustrations of recognisable Dublin ‘characters,’ and sure wasn’t I only excira and delira to take on the task.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

Each character embodies a potential customer, but are rendered instead as native Irish animals. There’s the sophisticated and fashionable tea-loving deer, the cheery wolfhound grandad who has a secret cake obsession, the lovable granny hare with her trusty tin of biscuits (no sewing-kit inside!), and the playful little squirrel with a sneaky delicious cupcake.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

Sure what’s afternoon tea without the tea, and the cake! I used a unifying ‘willow’ inspired pattern for the tea service. I also opted for a traditional - and huge - slice of Victoria sponge cake.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

Some of the sketches I drew-up for the brief. It was important to capture the personality of the characters, as this is a Dublin afternoon tea, and so an air of friendship, love, and family are integral to the whole experience.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

Before and after. Kitty has received a full makeover, and is now a bright, bold, and interesting vision on the cobbled streets of Dublin city.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

I love the ‘Dublinese’ that Neworld incorporated in to the branding.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

I am so delighted to see my illustrations printed on such a large scale, and traveling around my hometown to happy glances from curious passers-by.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

Isn’t it yer man himself!

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

Every detail in my drawing is there, on the back of a bus! The printing and application of the graphics by Freeney’s is exceptional. I couldn’t be happier with the end result. See the reveal of the new and improved Kitty in this link.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

Inside, my illustrations adorn the walls as a fun wallpaper pattern.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

A grand warming cuppa on a baltic day.

Vintage Tea Trips illustration by Rachel Corcoran

A delicious afternoon tea awaits on the top deck, and as it’s nearing Christmas, we all got a shiny cracker with our tea. We listened to Bing Crosby and gazed out the window at a moving city in the cold December sunshine. It was a wonderful experience to both see the bus, and to have afternoon tea on the bus. I would highly recommend Vintage Tea Trips as a unique and truly Irish experience. Thank you to everyone involved!

~ Rachel x