EXCLUSIVE: Kilkenny designer making waves in the world of fashion

The creative force behind Áine Elizabeth Designs, Áine O Donnell, is quickly making her mark in the world of fashion.

Hailing from Kells in County Kilkenny, Áine recently graduated from the Limerick School of Art and Design.

Interestingly though, it was in Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny City where she first caught the fashion bug.

“Taking part in the Junk Couture competition in secondary school allowed me to explore my creative process without any boundaries or expectations,” she explained.

That free and open approach to her work has carried her on to achieve so much more in recent years.

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Just last March, Áine was crowned the 2024 Young Irish Fashion Designer of the Year.

She went on to showcase her graduate collection at Powerscourt Townhouse in Dublin. 

The collection drew many admirers and Áine was subsequently commissioned to create two Georgian costumes for Powerscourt’s 250th Anniversary celebrations on Culture Night. 

“Being able to see my designs come to life in such an incredible space surrounded by like-minded people was a surreal experience,” she reflected.

Áine's creative voice is deeply rooted in both history and personal experience and her graduate collection reflected that, being inspired by her grandparents’ marriage in 1960s Ireland.

The collection paired structural shapes and intricate detailing inspired by her grandfather’s stained-glass artistry and merged them with the elegance of her grandmother’s femininity. 

“I wanted the collection to be a testament to the strength, love, and growth throughout my grandparents’ marriage.”

Despite her own recent success stories, Áine remains very passionate about advocating for greater support for other young Irish designers. 

She has routinely stressed the need for more funding, grants, and mentorship opportunities for emerging fashion creatives. 

“Many grants are only accessible for fine art, whereas the world of design doesn’t have much support at all,” she explained.

“Fashion designers are amazing multitaskers and often multimedia designers who need more backing to ease the financial strain and to allow them to experiment creatively.”

Looking ahead to the future, Áine is eager to push her own boundaries as a designer and grow her brand. 

While continuing to refine her craft, she also plans to delve deeper into the business side of fashion.

“There’s always room to evolve and learn, and I want to challenge myself to create even more innovative and meaningful work,” she noted.

With her passion, energy, creativity and determination, Áine O Donnell is now well-poised to become a leading voice in Irish fashion.

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