Irish Design Spotlight: Manley

Tell us about you and your business
I’m the founder and creative director behind Manley, a luxury fashion and accessories brand. Manley was born 13 years ago with €80 creating a six-piece collection. The brand now creates womenswear, accessories and bespoke bridalwear. Manley doesn’t buy into trends, but we ensure every piece remains relevant and wearable, season after season, year after year. This really comes down to the brand ethos, which has always been about versatility and longevity – creating pieces that can be worn in many ways for years to come.

What is your mission?
To create all-round awesome clothing that is beautiful and timeless but also produced in a sustainable and ethical manner. Each piece is made with the utmost care and attention to detail and produced in small runs to ensure quality over quantity. I want to produce incredible pieces that encourage customers to invest in high-quality long lasting pieces that will stand the test of time.

Did you always want to work in fashion?
Apart from a three-year hiatus where I wanted to be a special needs teacher, yes! My mum was a designer and so I grew up watching her turn beautiful fabric into brides’ dream wedding dresses. I would sit in on fittings and experience the magic as she unveiled the dress to brides. I watched her cut, sew and bead fabric and loved every moment of it. I got my first sewing machine when I was six. The rest is history!

What kind of items do you stock?
Mostly leather ones! Our leather t-shirts are our hero piece for sure, whether it’s a metallic leather, buttery soft nappa or a studded and perforated one. With these, we’ll always have leather bomber jackets, dungarees, leather tracksuit pants and mini and midi skirts. Each item can be mixed and matched, intertwined with an existing wardrobe, dressed up or down, day or night, whether you’re rocking a pair of trainers or heels. Every piece in the collection is made to be worn.

What new brands or items are on your radar?
Native Denims, they’re doing something seriously exciting, and Pearl Reddington – I need one of her Aran knits in my life.

Was money/funding a concern when starting out?
It was then and it still is now. It will never not be, but such is the struggle of a small-scale fashion brand and that’s why so few exist or have survived the test of time.

Best business advice you’ve gotten…
My sister Louise passed on a nugget of wisdom when I first began Manley that I still have written on a Post-it on my laptop and read day in, day out. It simply says, “Is this the very best thing I could be doing for my business right now? If the answer is no, then why the hell are you doing it? Just doing the job you like won’t lead to a successful business.”

Favourite sustainable style accounts to follow online…
Venetia Le Manna, she delivers well-researched and factual content that you can’t ignore!

Best fashion purchase…
For me it’s all about the shoes! Manley has my wardrobe sorted so having cool footwear that I can team with my leather minis, dungarees and leather trackie bottoms is where it’s at. Stella McCartney for Adidas is always a fave along with Reebok classics.

Other sustainable Irish brands you love
Edge Only for jewellery. Human Collective and Bean an Tees for casuals. The Ethical Silk Company for pjs. Peelo for leather bags. Electronic Sheep for knitwear. FOA and Laura Kinsella for headpieces.

Most useful learning since setting up a business…
What I call the three Ps: passion, patience and persistence.

Proudest moment so far…
Releasing this latest collection. I have brought three wonderful little boys into the world in the past four years while still keeping Manley and Manley Bride very much alive so whilst it may not be a shiny trophy moment, it’s a real-life female entrepreneurial moment!

I want my brand to be remembered for…
Making stand-out pieces that people make memories in.

If I could dress anyone it would be…
Pandora Sykes, please and thank you!