Suzie Monaghan: ‘My dad built this business on trust and craftsmanship, and that still stands today’

Tell us about yourself and your beginnings with Monaghans.
I grew up surrounded by knitwear, quite literally. My dad founded Monaghans 65 years ago, so from a young age, I was immersed in beautiful fibres, true craftsmanship, and customers who valued quality. Over the years, I worked in all sorts of areas: interiors, sales, and even the financial world before meeting my husband Eddie and being lucky enough to become a stay-at-home Mom for many years to raise our two children, Hailey and Eddie. As they grew older and had after-school activities and study, they needed me less and quite honestly, I was bored! Dad asked me to come back to the business to bring a feminine touch to what was then mostly menswear. So, I did! Taking over the reins a few years ago felt scary but with Dad by my side every day and knowing the team, Tom, Martin, and John so well, I knew I’d be ok.

What is the mission or philosophy of Monaghans?
At its heart, Monaghans is about quality, longevity, and connection. We believe in creating and curating pieces that stand the test of time, garments that are made to be cherished, not replaced. Every cashmere piece we offer is crafted from the finest yarns available worldwide. Our philosophy has always been “buy once, buy well”, an antidote to the fast fashion world. We believe the quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten!

Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?
Lord, no! I wanted to be a dancer! I’ve always been creative, I loved art, dancing and singing in school. I definitely didn’t see my life where I’d be designing cashmere. When I came back to work at Monaghans, I found myself chatting with customers every day and noticing the styles they were looking for but couldn’t find. So, I got out my notebook and started scribbling ideas. I’ve always been drawn to texture, tone, and how clothes make people feel, so design ended up being a very natural extension of that. I didn’t plan it, it just happened. I fell back in love with fabrics and realised design was another way to express what Monaghan’s has always stood for – understated luxury and timeless style.

Which items are your best sellers?
If it’s cashmere, we have it and if we don’t, we’ll create it! We really do our utmost to have everything from cosy socks right up to cashmere coats. We stock a classic range of wool knitwear for gentlemen, and this year we introduced a beautiful wool cape for ladies, that’s been incredibly well received. Our ladies’ cashmere blazers have been a big success for us this year, selling out within two weeks, but we’re thrilled to say they’ll be restocked in November.

The Suzie Monaghan Cashmere Collections (SMC) has really become a must-have wardrobe staple, building year on year. It’s been amazing to see how it’s grown in popularity across all styles and seasons. I’ve been approached by other retailers about stocking the collection, but for now, SMC remains exclusive to Monaghans, it just feels right. One of the loveliest things this year has been seeing so many brides choosing pieces from the collection, particularly the cardigans, both for themselves and as gifts for their bridesmaids.

Our SMC menswear collections have grown this year, too. We’ve expanded into outerwear, most notably our woven cashmere bomber jackets lined in 100% silk and our knitted cashmere bombers lined in wool. Sustainability has been at the heart of this whole collection. Every detail has been carefully chosen to ensure the pieces are as sustainable and biodegradable as possible. We have also launched a new range of unisex cashmere baseball and flat caps, which we are excited to see people incorporate into their wardrobes for both casual and more formal wear.

What new brands or items are on your radar?
I’m not really focused on finding new brands; I’m much more interested in the producers, the people behind the craft. We work closely with our manufacturers who really understand the importance of fibre quality, spinning, and finishing, all those little details most people never see but are of the utmost importance.

What’s important to me is working with people who genuinely care about what they do. I like to know who and what I’m dealing with in all aspects of business. With production, knowing everyone involved shares the same goal of creating pieces that last. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel, just refine it, with people who take as much pride in their work as I do.

Was funding a concern when starting out?
Because Monaghans was already an established family business, I was in a very privileged position not to be starting from scratch. My challenge wasn’t really about funding; it was more about future-proofing the business, taking something with deep roots and bringing it forward for a new generation, while still staying true to the existing customers and everything my dad built.

That said, as an independent Irish retailer, every decision must be made carefully. When it’s your family name above the door, there’s a huge sense of responsibility not just to the business itself, but to the people who make it what it is. I’ve always been mindful that everyone around me is supported and looked after, and I probably put myself last more often than I should, but that’s just how I’m built. I’m very much guided by one of the Directors, John, who looks after the finances and while I might feel certain ideas are worth the investment, if he says no… then the answer is no. But every now and then, when I have an idea I really believe in, he may be a little nervous at first, but he always backs me and helps make it happen. And so far, so good, I think a mix of instinct, teamwork, finger crossing and a little blind faith has served us well to date!

The best business advice I have received is…
That would be from Dad, not long before he passed away. I’d asked for his advice on a business matter, and he said, “Trust your instincts, you know what you’re doing, and I trust you’ll make the right choice.” It’s something I think about often, and I really try to live by it.

Over the years, I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone, so you have to stay true to your values and your vision and trust that inner voice. When you care deeply about your team, your customers, and the legacy of a family business, your instinct is to give it everything you have. Finding the balance is the tricky bit… and I’m still waiting for someone to teach me how to switch off properly!

My favourite design accounts to follow are…
I’ve always had huge admiration for Irish design — we have so much talent for such a small island. There’s a lot of attention on the new and emerging designers at the moment, and rightly so, there’s incredible creativity coming through. For me, my favourites are the incredible Irish designers who set the standards for Irish fashion, people like Helen Cody, Helen McAlinden, Paula Rowan, Sharon Hoey, Louise Kennedy and Don O’Neill. They’ve all built such strong, lasting reputations by staying true to their craft.

My best fashion purchase ever was…
Oh, I have two, can I have two? My best fashion purchase would have to be my cashmere coat. I’ve had it for 18 years now, and it’s taken quite a pounding over the years. It’s travelled on countless airplanes, been squashed into overhead lockers, and somehow still comes out looking perfect, crease-free and polished.

And then, my cashmere blankets, they’re my ultimate home comfort. One of them has been with me since my kids were small. We used to have movie nights every Friday with the four of us snuggled up under one big cashmere blanket. My two, now 27 and 25, still talk about those evenings as one of their favourite childhood memories. I’ve also been known to wear my blankets as wraps and belt them – they’re wonderfully multifunctional. I do love a good styling crossover piece!

Other Irish brands I love are…
I love seeing people doing things properly with care, integrity, and a genuine love for what they do. I adore Ecru Studios – John and Karen Redmond are just two amazing people. They bring something completely different to the Irish fashion scene; they’re effortlessly cool, creative, and full of integrity. They’ve both been in the industry for a long time and they’re always so kind and supportive to me. They genuinely love what they’re doing, and they add a bit of classic cool to my wardrobe.

Catherine McCormack in Adare, Limerick, is another one of my favourites. She’s been around a long time, knows her product and craft inside out, she really looks after her customers which is what originally connected us to each other. I will travel all the way to Adare just to visit her store.

And then there’s Stable of Ireland, a great example of Irish craftsmanship done right. There’s a quiet confidence about Irish design when it’s made with care, thoughtful, timeless, and full of heart and I’m so proud to be part of that community.

A brand I have recently discovered is…
I’ve recently discovered and really admire Conor O’Brien. What he’s doing with traditional Irish knits is just stunning; he’s managed to modernise something deeply traditional without losing the heart of it. There’s such integrity in his work, and I really respect that.

And then there’s Caroline Duffy, she’s just wonderful. I absolutely love how she’s brought her artwork to life through clothing. There’s such creativity in what she does, and she seems like such a genuinely lovely person too. Her pieces have this beautiful energy, full of colour, I feel happiness when I look at her pieces…. and I think that’s what makes them so special.

My most useful learning since setting up a business is…
We have a little family tradition called “Pits and Peaks” which we used to do around the dinner table when the kids were teenagers. Everyone had to share the best and worst parts of their day, and I suppose business is a lot like that. The pits are the lessons, the days when things don’t go to plan or when you realise not everyone operates the way you do. They can sting at the time, but they teach you a lot about trust, instinct, and resilience. The peaks are everything else, the loyal customers, the pieces I get to create, and the incredible people I get to work with, most importantly, John and Maria. Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile. The pits and peaks never really stop; you take the lesson, celebrate the wins, and keep going.

My proudest moment so far was…
Celebrating 65 years of Monaghans on October 1. It was such a milestone not just for the business, but for my family and team. Standing in the shop, surrounded by customers old and new, I felt such pride in what my dad built and in how far we’ve come. It was very emotional, yet special. So many people shared stories about buying their first piece of cashmere from my dad or coming in with their parents years ago. Moments like that remind me that Monaghans is more than just a shop, it’s part of people’s lives. I think that’s what I’m proudest of, that sense of community, trust, warmth, and friendship that’s lasted through generations.

I want Monaghan’s to be remembered for…
I would love Monaghans to be remembered for quality and integrity for doing things properly and with heart. My dad built this business on trust and craftsmanship, and that still stands today. But most importantly, I would love people to remember how they felt when they came in, a sense of warmth, care, and familiarity. We’ve always tried to make Monaghans feel like home, where people feel valued and looked after. At the end of the day, Monaghans is not just about the cashmere; it’s about the connection. If people remember us for that, I’ll be very, very happy; I’ll feel like my job is done!

If I could have anyone wear our designs, it would be…
Oh, that’s a really tough question, my list is long! We’ve been lucky enough to have quite a lot of famous faces through our doors over the years, but their names are top secret. There are many I’d love to see at Monaghans. I probably wouldn’t go for your typical lists. I’m drawn to people with real character, the ones who wear clothes with ease and quiet confidence. Cate Blanchett would definitely be one of them. For me, she’s the definition of effortless elegance. For the men, I’d say Colin Firth, Paul Mescal, Cillian Murphy, Andrew Scott, and Hugh Grant are all very different, but each with that same quiet confidence that never goes out of style. I would also love to dress the Bad Sisters girls – Sharon Horgan, Eve Hewson and Sarah Greene, in fact, all the Bad Sisters cast. I’ve heard them say in interviews how cold it gets filming in Ireland; I could definitely help with that! So, if your readers would like to tag them, or they’re reading this, you know where to find me. I’ll have the cashmere waiting!

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