Kilkenny designer living her dream on Ireland Fashion Week & Young Designer of the Year

An emerging fashion designer from Kilkenny has shared what it's like to break into the industry and be apart of the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week.

Áine O'Donnell is fast emerging as one of Ireland’s most promising new talents, carving out a distinctive voice through her label, Áine Elizabeth Designs.

With a growing reputation for romantic silhouettes and refined craftsmanship, Áine’s work has gained notable recognition across Ireland.

In 2024, Áine was named as Young Fashion Designer of the Year, an accolade that brought increased visibility within the Irish fashion industry and opened new doors for collaboration, such as two exhibitions in Powerscourt Townhouse in Dublin, and also including creating bespoke pieces for well-known figures such as Cork singer, Lyra, radio and TV presenter Lottie Ryan and Ireland Fashion Week founder, Ashely Mc Donnell.

Her journey with fashion started many years ago though, with one of her earliest memories of wanting a career in the industry being when she was just a child.

"A few years ago, I was clearing out my bedroom and I found an old journal I used to keep. In it, I wrote about my dream of becoming a fashion designer. I must have been only seven when I wrote it," Áine said. 

READ NEXT: RIP: Sadness as oldest resident in Kilkenny village passes away aged 102

Her mam is a hairdresser and her grandfather was a stained glass artist, meaning design and visual expression were always part of her world.

"Maybe that blood was flowing through me a little bit," Áine suggested.

Following her invaluable education in Presentation Secondary School Kilkenny, where her artistic flair was nourished, Áine proceeded to The Limerick School of Art and Design.

She already had an Instagram account where she had been documenting her designs, so when others in her course were creating them, Áine rebranded and Áine Elizabeth Designs was officially born. 

During time in college, Áine gained invaluable industry experience through internships at both Paris and London Fashion Week.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny men accused of driving a horse in a prohibited area

In Paris, she worked with Ashley McDonald, whose career spans over a decade with the LVMH group.

In London, she joined the team of acclaimed Irish designer Paul Costelloe, an experience she describes as inspiring and immersive.

"Interns never really get to watch the show, but he brought us out, and we were sat front row watching the show. It was unbelievable," Áine said.

That was in 2024 - the same year that she received the accolade of Young Designer of the Year. 

Being recognised with that title helped to boost her name in the world of Irish designers.

"People were not noticing who I was, but people within the industry were noticing my designs," Áine explained. 

In October, she took part in Ireland Fashion Week, in a first-of-its-kind graduate show, which allowed graduates to participate for free. 

One of her designs was featured on the runway, while a total of twelve of her looks were worn across the week, a remarkable achievement for an emerging designer.

Among those who wore her work were Lyra, who chose two of Áine’s designs for two of the events that week.

Ashley McDonnell, the founder of Ireland Fashion Week, also wore one of Áine’s designs to the afterparty of the show.

Áine was delighted to dress both ladies, describing the experience as deeply affirming and encouraging at this stage of her career.

READ NEXT: North Kilkenny boglands feature in exhibition by local artist

"Lyra came up to me after the runway showcase and asked me if she could wear my look to one of the Irish Fashion Week events. I was so, so happy," Áine explained.

While fashion weeks and red-carpet moments offer visibility, Áine is open about the dedication required behind the scenes.

Balancing her label alongside a full-time role, she spends long evenings refining garments and perfecting details, a commitment she embraces wholeheartedly.

"You have that, but then it's really just me in my sewing room at home. It can look so glamorous, but it's really not. I'll be there sewing in my pyjamas until 1 o'clock," she added. 

While working on a project for a client, Áine shared how, over the period of roughly three months of creating a look, there is very little sleep to be had.

"It's working around the clock, but it's good. I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it," she explained.

READ NEXT: 'You deserve to be p****d off' - Kilkenny's TJ Reid on overcoming Tipp disappointment

Her design aesthetic is heavily influenced by the Georgian and Regency eras, with a consistent focus on florals, femininity, and timeless romantic structures.

These elements are evident in her most recent work for media personality Lottie Ryan, who wore Áine’s designs on the cover of the Goss.ie February magazine.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Àine Elizabeth Design (@aine_elizabeth_designs)

READ NEXT: 'The next chapter' - what do you think of this brand new pub in Kilkenny?

Looking ahead, Áine has her sights firmly set on the future. Her long-term ambition is to open her own bridal boutique, where craftsmanship, storytelling, and timeless elegance will take centre stage.

For now, she continues to build momentum, one collection, one collaboration, and one carefully crafted design at a time.

Find her on Instagram @aine_elizabeth_designs