This Kilkenny business is turning heads and influencing Irish fashion
Kilkenny fashion entrepreneur Lorna Doogue speaks to Sian Moloughney about her life-long love affair with style
Kilkenny has become a destination for fashion shopping — the place to find a uniquely beautiful outfit for a special occasion.
And, at the heart of the city, is the Lady Lorna Designer Emporium on Kieran Street.
The eye-catching establishment is the centre of operations for Lorna Doogue: fashion designer, buyer and doyenne of the Kilkenny fashion world.
Lady Lorna carries twelve brands, including six Irish milliners and three top Irish designers among the international labels. They also stock their own designs, which are made in nearby Carlow.
Lorna routinely greets fashionistas from Dublin, Galway and far beyond, all of whom know they will find something special in her store.
That she has found a perfect niche in the fashion world is no surprise; her mother, Joan, is a fashion designer who created the brand Lorna Doone, which inspired her daughter’s name.
With a friendly nature and years of honing her expertise, Lorna loves her job. Growing up, she helped her mother with her design work, and after school she headed to Limerick School of Fashion for a four-year degree.
“My career began at Michael H as an assistant designer. I also worked in Brown Thomas, part time, learning the ropes of fashion retail,” she says.
From there, she moved on to work as a buyer with Primark, travelling the world for fashion and homewares, and the start of the PS beauty brand.
However, Lorna and Joan always dreamed of having their own boutique.
“We always loved coming into Kilkenny to shop and it was a natural location for our store,” says Lorna.
After almost nine years in the city, they are proud of their beautiful premises.
So whether you’re off to the races, a wedding, or a black tie gala, Lady Lorna is an essential port of call.