‘Encouraging people to shop local and shop Irish is so important’

Laoise Carey Studio is defining the parameters of circular fashion in Ireland by creating luxurious, heirloom clothing from vintage, recycled and other eco-friendly textiles for the eco-conscious customer.

All collections are handcrafted in Ireland with the highest quality finishings. Irish Mythology and the beautiful landscapes of my home county, Tipperary, inspire each collection, welcoming the wearer to step into my world of nostalgia, craftsmanship, luxury and quality. At the core of the brand are the principles of ethical, sustainable and slow fashion.

I graduated from NCAD with a BA in Fashion Design in 2017 and I’m currently back studying for an MA in Circular Design in NCAD. 

Laoise Carey Studio was established in Nenagh, Tipperary in 2020 and has since been stocked in Om Diva, Curated by greens are good for you, the Conscious Atelier, Naas, CREATE 2024 in Brown Thomas, Grafton Street and Dublin Independent Fashion Week’s Irish Design Showroom.

My aim is to be a trailblazer in the Irish fashion industry, making circularity and eco-consciousness the rule, rather than the exception, in Irish Design.  

I feel like I am more of a maker than a designer. I studied fashion design mainly so that I could learn pattern-making and sewing skills. Funnily enough, when I finished college the area I worked in was production and manufacturing, and now I tutor in pattern drafting and garment construction. I do all of the production for my collections myself, including making patterns, grading sizes and 90% of the sewing, along with all of the other jobs that come with being a sole trader. I never intended to start my own brand until 2020 hit and I found myself back in Ireland after spending two years working in London.

My garments range from padded coats to lace dresses, linen blouses and skirts. 

I use vintage tablecloths, curtains and deadstock materials, as well as contemporary Irish-made fabrics like linen and tweed. My bestseller is the Ríona Blouse with a ruffle collar and bishop sleeve with a long cuff, made from all kinds of vintage and recycled textiles. I am probably most well known for using vintage tea towels in my work, and I have incorporated these into gender-neutral shirts for SS25.

An old colleague and friend of mine set up an alternative bridal brand in the UK called WED, which I adore. 

In Irish fashion, knitwear is having a moment with new brands MAR Knitwear and Solstice by Seeking Judy popping up in recent years. I also have my eye on the showstopping denim dress from the new AOIFE® SS25 collection. 

Funding and money are always a concern when running a brand. 

I was lucky enough to have won some awards with my graduate collection, however, these prize funds are nowhere near the level of some that young designers can get in the US or the UK. It is always difficult setting up in Ireland and after establishing the brand, it is challenging to continue to sell to an Irish customer, as high street fast fashion has such a strong foothold here. For all of us Irish brands, encouraging people to shop local and shop Irish is so important, to keep supporting our businesses financially. 

The best business advice I’ve ever gotten is to stay committed to my passion for vintage and recycled textiles because that is the unique selling point of my brand. 

It is a much more expensive and time-consuming way to work, and it means that some pieces are only one- or two-of-a-kind, but I am determined to ensure that these fabrics are diverted from landfill into beautiful clothing that brings joy to the wearer.

On Instagram, my current favourite account for sustainable fashion is Save the Planet Society. 

My favourite styling account right now is Jessi Regina, and my favourite for up-to-date fashion news is 1Granary. 

Since 2017, I only buy investment pieces for my wardrobe from small, independent or high-quality designer labels, and they are always my best purchases. 

My most recent purchase is a Christmas present to myself, which is a grey knitted merino and alpaca cardigan from McConnell Woollen Mills, made in Co. Clare. 

Other Irish brands I love? I would have to say every single brand that took part in Dublin Independent Fashion Week 2024! 

As a founding committee member, I was blown away by the talented designers based in Ireland who took part in our week-long series of events. You can look up all of the brands involved on our Instagram @dublin_ifw and as we are only in year two of running this event, we hope to include even more Irish designers year on year. 

Finding my bestselling products has been the most useful learning since setting up a business. 

I plan on continuing to make variations of these in each new collection so that customers always know they will like the cut and fit.

Taking part in CREATE 2024 in Brown Thomas with a group of incredibly talented designers is one of my proudest moments.

I was awarded Brown Thomas’s ‘One to Watch’ at CREATE 2017 and I was the first student winner to return with my own brand this year. It was a great honour to be selected.

I want my brand to be remembered for highlighting how vintage, recycled, deadstock and eco-friendly materials can be elevated to luxury standards, by creating heirloom pieces, designed to be worn and loved long into the future. 

If I could have anyone wear my designs it would be some of the incredible Irish actors out there, like Saoirse Ronan, Ruth Negga or Paul Mescal!

Imagery courtesy of Laoise Carey