Meet the Designer: Bethan McClenaghan from Limavady

Meet Bethan McClenaghan, a young upcoming designer from  Limavady, Co. Derry. Bethan set up her own company HER designs, her work is all handcrafted and fully focused on knitwear. Here she talks to Aoife McManus about her inspirations, what she loves the most about fashion and what she loves about what she does.

Q. Tell me a bit about how and why you got started in the industry
I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until university that my passion truly found its form in fashion. While studying Textile, Art, Design and Fashion at Ulster University, I discovered my love for knitting and created my own knitwear collection—a project that still inspires me today. From there, my passion evolved into something bigger. I wanted to celebrate women and girls while staying true to my love for handmade, sustainable fashion. That’s how Her Designs NI was born. My brand is all about honouring femininity, sustainability, and the beauty of hand-knitted pieces—a journey that started with my granny’s influence and has now grown into a brand I’m proud to call my own.

ABOVE: An example of one of Bethan's designs. A stunning colourful knitted cardigan

Q. What does Fashion mean to you?
Fashion, to me, is a way of showing the world who you are without saying a word. It’s about expressing a small part of yourself and celebrating individuality. I want people to feel good and confident through what they wear—it’s not about looking perfect, but about feeling your best.
For me, that feeling is strongest when I wear something I’ve created myself, knowing all the love and care that went into it. That’s the experience I hope to give others. I want to encourage people to dress for themselves, to feel confident, and to let their clothes reveal just a little part of who they are.

Q. Who inspires your style and your designs?
I don’t stick to just one style—I love mixing it up. Some days I’m a full-on girly girl in pink or a cute dress, other days I’m all black from head to toe. My brand is 100% inspired by women, especially those around me. I wanted Her Designs NI to be fun, playful, and full of personality—pieces that can be worn, loved, and worn again. Sustainability also inspires me, as I think it’s so important to consider the impact of fast fashion. That’s why I want my brand to have a lasting impact—not just in style, but in value. I want people to say, “I love her style, and I want this in my wardrobe forever.”

ABOVE: Bethan with her auntie at a market

Q. Who are your favourite brands/designers/places to shop? 
I love brands like ASOS and River Island—they’re fun, accessible, and I’m definitely guilty of shopping there! But I also think it’s really important to consider how much you’ll actually wear something. My auntie had a friend who used to calculate the cost per wear, and it’s so true—a £30 dress worn once ends up being more expensive than a £100 dress you wear again and again. Sustainability is something I’m becoming more aware of, too. I want to enjoy shopping, but also make choices that have a positive impact, both for my wardrobe and for the planet.

Q. What trends are you excited about at the minute?  
Right now, I’m loving denim—double denim in particular—and bright, happy colours like yellow, which is the colour of the season. I am also loving 
What excites me most is seeing a renewed love for crafts. Knitting, crocheting, and handmade pieces are no longer just for older generations—young people are getting involved too, and I think that’s amazing. I’d love to see shopping small and local become a trend. Supporting independent brands not only helps the community but also encourages people to find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. I really want to encourage everyone to back local businesses whenever they can.

Q. What do you love the most about what you do?
The thing I love most about what I do has to go back to my granny—she taught me absolutely everything I know, and that’s unbelievably special. I also love the way my pieces make people feel. Seeing someone style a cardigan or carry a bag and hear them say it’s their most loved or prized possession brings me so much joy. I love that everything I do is influenced by women, for women. That connection, that celebration of femininity, is at the heart of everything I create.