BBQ season is finally here, and these serving dishes make for an ideal centrepiece
BBQ season is finally here, and these serving dishes make for an ideal centrepiece

Sarah Gill

This stunning property with uninterrupted views of Kenmare Bay is on the market for €775,000
This stunning property with uninterrupted views of Kenmare Bay is on the market for €775,000

Sarah Finnan

May 30: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds
May 30: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Sarah Finnan

‘Doctors told me I was fine, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong’
‘Doctors told me I was fine, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was...

Leonie Corcoran

Women in Sport: Distance runner Courtney McGuire
Women in Sport: Distance runner Courtney McGuire

Sarah Gill

This charming traditional cottage in Cork is on the market for €295,000
This charming traditional cottage in Cork is on the market for €295,000

Sarah Gill

This former industrial premises in Dublin 12 has been turned into a family home with two workspaces
This former industrial premises in Dublin 12 has been turned into a family home with...

IMAGE Interiors & Living

This stunning four-bedroom Rathmines home is on the market now for €2.5 million
This stunning four-bedroom Rathmines home is on the market now for €2.5 million

Sarah Gill

The ‘Succession’ finale and a White House drama with Woody Harrelson – what to watch this week
The ‘Succession’ finale and a White House drama with Woody Harrelson – what to watch...

Sarah Finnan

16 fun events to look forward to this June  
16 fun events to look forward to this June  

Sarah Finnan

Image / Fashion

Simone Van Trojen Talks La Dress


By IMAGE
30th Jun 2015
Simone Van Trojen Talks La Dress

blank
blank
blank
blank
blankSee More Photos
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
blank
Have we found the perfect dress?

When Simone van Trojen quit her job in finance and started her company La Dress she was’determined to invent the perfect dress for women everywhere. Eight years later, the company has?gone from strength to strength and La Dress has over 250 styles sold online and all over the world.?We sat down with the designer and entrepreneur in Dublin as she launches La Dress in Brown?Thomas.

You quit your job to started La Dress – that was so risky!?
It was, but I had a really strong gut feeling and I knew it was the right thing to do. Don’t get me?wrong – I have to work really hard but I still remember the first time someone I didn’t know ordered?a dress from the site. It was the most amazing feeling in the world and worth every bit of hard?work.

What gave you the idea?

At the time, I was working in finance and had just had two babies. My body had changed and my?life was so hectic. It was impossible to look put together! So I thought, how amazing would it be to?have one dress that suited every occasion? That was the initial idea and it grew from there.

How do you make a dress that suits every figure and shape?

I have very, very talented pattern cutters and we never stop working to make sure the dresses are?the absolute best that they can be. We try them out on different women and get loads of feedback.?What you wear is so important and has a big impact on your happiness. I hope our dresses help?women feel confident, like they can take over the world.

OK – we’re sold. What dress should we buy?

Our most popular dress is the Carla – it’s light in summer, warm in winter, easy to wash and super?elegant.

You have two children – how do you balance life and work?

I don’t try to balance everything -that’s impossible! Instead, I integrate work life and family life. If I?have to travel (like to Ireland today) I try to bring the family with me so that we can share the?experience together.

What advice would you give someone who has a great business idea and wants to get started?

Get the right people on board – I couldn’t cut patterns but I had the idea, so I employed great’designers and pattern cutters. Be willing to work hard and trust your instinct. A business plan is?essential. I think if you have an entrepreneurial streak in you you’ll succeed.

Check out the gallery of dress pics above!?

La Dress is available now at Available at BT2 Dundrum, Blanchardstown and Grafton Street,?Brown Thomas Cork, Limerick and Galway and online at www.ladress.com.