The Irish have made a serious mark in the fashion industry
The Creating and Designing gallery at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum tells the stories of influential designers, like Sybil Connolly and Philip Treacy, who began to make their mark on the world of fashion long ago. Right now, lots of talented Irish fashion designers continue to make an impact internationally. Some have left Ireland to seek out success abroad, while others are attracting attention from their Irish studios. want to highlight 10 Irish women who are gaining global recognition for their work.
1. Laura Weber
Dublin native and NCAD graduate Laura Weber hit the headlines after Dr. Jill Biden wore her work to the US presidential inauguration in 2021. Weber embroidered her dress, coat and mask, carefully positioning each stitch, bead and colour. At the request of the first lady, each flower on the dress was designed to represent a different state.
This wasn’t the first time the New York-based designer’s work was seen by millions of people. Over the years, she has also created embellishments for Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Bette Midler and former first lady Michelle Obama. She also made the green sequin dress that Saoirse Ronan wore to the Oscars back in 2016.
More recently, she was charged with designing Team Ireland’s uniform for the Olympics.
2. Hope Macaulay
The post-covid era lent itself to large cosy knits, and Antrim native Hope Macaulay delivered, with her thick, colourful cardigans, instantly recognisable today as one of her designs.
Her handmade knitwear has become a hit with celebrities such as Halsey and the Hadid sisters.
Macaulay told The Belfast Telegraph that she experimented with knitting in college after her grandmother taught her the basics. Today, all of her clothes are manufactured in Northern Ireland with the help of local seamstresses.
3. Orlagh McCloskey
Along with Henrietta Rix, Derry native Orlagh McCloskey runs the London-based womenswear label RIXO. Their unique prints have featured in Vogue and Marie Claire.
To date, their designs have proved popular with celebrities like Holly Willoughby and they can be found at boutiques and department stores dotted around the globe. But having been tipped as ‘ones to watch’ by The Sunday Times, it would appear that the two women behind RIXO are on an upwards rise in the world of fashion and heralded as some of the top Irish fashion designers around.
4. Simone Rocha
Over the past decade Dublin-born designer Simone Rocha has been busy establishing her name in fashion. Back in 2010, she launched her graduate collection at the Tate Modern and London Fashion Week. Today, she has stores across London, New York and Hong Kong.
But international recognition of Rocha’s work has hit new highs recently thanks to her collaboration with H&M. She is the first Irish designer to create a collection for the brand.
Rocha was the designer behind Billie Eilish’s 2023 Met Gala look, pictured below.
5. Fiona O’Neill
Originally from Dalkey in Dublin, Fiona O’Neill has been attracting global attention since finishing college in 2014. Her psychedelic designs have been featured in renowned publications, like Vogue Italia, and at international exhibitions in Sweden and The Netherlands. She’s even been commissioned to design pieces for Icelandic singer Björk, who is known for her distinctive style.
More recently, O’Neill launched her self-named label from her London-based studio. Many of her pieces have accents of Irishness. She told 10 Magazine last year: “My Irish heritage can be recognised in the spirit of the work, with hints of Celtic bold shapes and curves in graphic two-tone prints. It’s… a fresh take on Ireland from a young Irish woman living in London.”
A trailblazer amongst Irish fashion designers.
6. Sorcha O’Raghallaigh
While working from her London studio, Irish designer Sorcha O’Raghallaigh saw the likes of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue wear her clothes. But she moved on to Italy where she spent time learning new skills and working with luxury brands like Givenchy.
Now, O’Raghallaigh – originally from Offaly – is back in Ireland. She’s been working with Brown Thomas, attracting the limelight once again. Recently, her designs have been spotted on Laura Whitmore, Maisie Williams, Gabrielle and Years & Years singer Olly Alexander.
More recently, she has been designing for popstar Zara Larsson, who’s popularity has exploded over the last year.
7. Sharon Wauchob
Tyrone native Sharon Wauchob, who’s been building a name for herself since the 90s, has become a staple of the London Fashion Week schedule.
She learned the ropes in London and Paris, working with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, before setting out on her own path. In 2003, she showed her designs at Paris Fashion Week and, for a few years, she worked with EDUN – the label founded by Bono and Ali Hewson.
In 2016, she left Paris for London where her studio is currently located. Her 2021 Spring/Summer collection was a hit at London Fashion Week. This earned her another spread in Vogue and funding from the British Fashion Council to support her work through the pandemic.
She continues to make waves on the international stage and is one of the most beloved Irish fashion designers.
Discover the world of Irish fashion designers and creators abroad within EPIC’s Creating and Design Gallery.
