Kilkenny designer turning heads on the fashion scene

Kilkenny-born designer Abby O’Connell is turning heads, not with trends, but with truth.

At 23 years old, Abby is rapidly making her mark on the Irish fashion landscape as the founder and creative force behind the independent label SEST. 

Her latest collection, “I mo Chroí” (Irish for 'In My Heart'), has struck a powerful chord. A standout piece from the collection - a sculptural, daring dress worn by stylist Fiona Fagan at the recent VIP Style Awards - drew massive attention both online and off.

Fiona, no stranger to statement fashion, described the public reaction as "staggering".

"This is Irish design moving forward," said Fiona. "We need to showcase voices like Abby’s at Dublin Fashion Week. It’s time for new shapes and silhouettes to step into the spotlight."

Evoke.ie has been quick to spotlight Abby’s fearless and emotional approach to design, noting the impact of her work in a space hungry for fresh perspective and creative honesty. But for Abby, fashion isn’t just about aesthetics - it’s deeply personal.

“‘I mo Chroí’ was born from watching so many of my peers leave Ireland in search of something better. That push and pull -leaving, staying, and everything you carry with you - that’s what this collection is about. It’s not just fabric - it’s emotion. It’s memory. It’s belonging.” 

SEST, Abby explains, isn’t simply a brand. It’s her story. Every piece is designed with intention. Honest. Raw. Unapologetic. “Fashion has always helped me through the hardest times in my life," says Abby. "I don’t follow trends. I speak through clothing. This is how I process the world. It’s how I say what I can’t always put into words.”

The message is resonating. SEST is gaining traction not only for its bold aesthetic, but for the emotional weight behind it. Abby’s designs aren’t for the faint-hearted, but they’re not meant to be.

“My work won’t be for everyone, and that’s okay. I want people to feel something when they wear it," says Abby. "If there’s no emotion, there’s no connection. And I think people are craving that now more than ever."

Abby’s earlier collection, "1968", paid tribute to her late father and explored grief and remembrance through denim, leather, and deeply personal detailing, including family poetry and hand-finished elements. Like all her work, it was not just wearable, but cathartic.

As Dublin Fashion Week looks to its next wave of talent, Abby O’Connell stands out not just for her design talent, but for her voice. With SEST, she’s proving that Irish fashion has a bold, emotional, and unapologetic future.

Dublin Fashion Week will take place from Monday, September 22 to Sunday, September 28.