'I took a trip to an enchanting garden with a Limerick fashion designer!' - Celia Holman Lee

ON A SUN-drenched day in County Cork, I found myself at the launch of Aoife McNamara’s latest collection, Otherland, at the charming Ballymaloe House Hotel.

Aoife, a Limerick native and former Marc Jacobs intern, has become a beacon of sustainable fashion, and this collection is a testament to her vision.

The pieces are a celebration of Irish folklore, specifically the magical tale of Tír na nÓg, a true classic and one of my all-time favourites.

Aoife captured Irish heritage and mystic magic beautifully, with elegant silhouettes and shimmering hues that utterly stunned us all. What struck me most, however, was her unwavering commitment to sustainability.

Aoife’s brand, the first Irish fashion label to achieve B Corp certification, runs on a made-to-order model, ensuring every piece is created with care, purpose, and precision.

READ ALSO: Glamour at the Gardens for a fashionable affair!

As I sipped on a glass of prosecco on what was surely the hottest day of the year, the luxurious grounds of Ballymaloe, dotted with wildflowers and ancient trees, felt like the perfect backdrop for the dreamy scene.

We dined al fresco under the deep blue sky, enjoying a five-course, locally-sourced feast that was as beautiful as it was delicious.

I may as well have been dropped into a fairytale!

It’s clear Aoife is not just designing clothes, she’s crafting a movement, one that intertwines fashion with nature, elegance with ethics, and beauty with responsibility.

If you haven’t experienced Aoife’s work yet, I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to her thatched cottage boutique in Adare.

Otherland is, truly, out of this world!

XxCelia