VIP Publishing is delighted to announce that the eir Power of Women Awards are back.
These awards celebrate the best and brightest female entrepreneurs in Ireland, across the worlds of fashion, technology, beauty, lifestyle, wellness and more!
The winners, decided by an expert panel and awarded at an exclusive lunch in Dublin’s Marker Hotel on November 18th, will be profiled in the December issue of VIP Magazine.
The Fashion Retail Award sponsored by Lindt is to celebrate Irish fashion businesses founded by women across the spectrum of design and influence. Here’s a bit more information about our inspiring nominees…
Blanaid Hennessy – Folkster
Folkster was founded in 2008 by fashion stylist Hennessy, who set out with the idea to create a bohemian treasure trove of a store combined with the highest standard of customer service and styling.
Starting out as a small vintage store in Co. Kilkenny with just Blanaid and her immediate family, now 14 years later, they have grown to over 50 team members across Dublin, Kilkenny and also online on folkster.com.
To this day, Folkster is still known as the independent, family-owned store that now also designs and creates their own occasion wear responsibly in hand with their Spanish and Indian production partners.
Clodagh Cronin – Samui Cork
Samui Cork is an independent boutique in Cork City that was established in March 2001 by fashion enthusiast Clodagh Cronin. Samui is the go-to place for fashion and luxury lovers where they are then presented with a carefully curated collection of contemporary luxury labels, such as Dries Van Noten, Cecilie Bahnsen, Moncler and Rick Owens.
Clodagh’s keen eye and talent for buying ensure that her offerings are often unique and always exciting, making sure to separate Sami from its counterparts in the market.
You are sure to find treasure in the physical store in Cork City but there is also an amazing offering online at samuicork.com.
Emily MacKeogh and Leah Jones – Crystals and Co.
Best friends and self-described ultimate magpies, Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly started Crystals & Co. with a simple aim to accessorise people’s lives with fun, high quality and affordable jewellery.
Established in 2009, they have since achieved their aims and have built a cult following and attracted the likes of huge Irish influencers such as Jodie Woods, Joanna Cooper and Bonnie Ryan.
The pair are intent on creating pieces to empower women to play with fashion trends and make a shining statement through jewellery. They are mainly selling the pieces online at crystalsandco.com but also have had several successful pop-ups for customers to see the pieces in real life.
Lisa Ruttledge – Fabulisa
Fabulisa is a brand that was born out of the pandemic by fashion lover and mum of four, Lisa Ruttledge and has since transformed and expanded into a fully-fledged fashion business.
Fabulisa first started off mainly selling luxury mulberry silk face and eye masks, hair bands and turbans but now they are also selling bags, jewellery and accessories.
From setting up shop in her kids’ playroom to now selling online on fabulisa.myshopify.com where customers can find fun and funky accessories to brighten up their everyday or special day looks.
Lucy Nagle Studio
Nagle is the creative mastermind behind the self-eponymous cashmere brand that is known as being synonymous with well-being.
The brand was born after she studied and worked in interior design in London, honing her talent for sourcing the best textiles, her love of colour, and her passion for knitwear, fashion and design.
All this culminated in her first capsule collection in 2013, which was quickly snapped up by Brown Thomas and has since gone on to produce several successful collections, all stocked at Brown
Thomas and BT2 stores in Ireland and has enjoyed International attention in the US at the famous luxury boutique chain, Intermix. You can also find their cashmere pieces at lucynagle.com.
Melissa Mills Bari – MMB
MMB, the go-to luxury loungewear and lifestyle brand is the realisation of a dream that Melissa Mills Bari has had after having worked in retail and retail management for many years.
Her love of travel and passion for home interiors led to her being inspired to create her own collection of premium robes, pyjamas, nightdresses, loungewear and homewares.
One of Melissa’s wishes is for her customers to feel beautiful as well as comfortable in everything she creates. Her sought-after creations can be found on melissa-millsbari.com.
Rosie Connolly – 4th ARQ
4TH ARQ is a relatively new premium unisex streetwear clothing line but has built a fan base that would rival much older brands. 4TH ARQ, founded by fashion and beauty influencer Rosie Connolly in December 2020, sets out to inspire their customers to celebrate the identity that they have built themselves.
The brand is also about celebrating that the world is now open to all expressions and forms of beauty.
Since its launch, the brand has showered the Irish market with comfy and cool cold-weather staples that have had fans raving, first with their online presence with 4tharq.com and then with their very successful pop-ups in Dundrum Town Centre and Brown Thomas.
Sue Carter – CARI Maternity
CARI is a new contemporary luxe maternity wear brand founded by mom herself, Sue Carter for modern motherhood born out of a desire for a more elevated and stylish maternity wardrobe.
CARI aims to provide fun looks for style-loving mums-to-be that find themselves in despair at the limited fashion choices during pregnancy. They designed the clothing to enable mums to feel beautiful and feminine on their journey.
They also have a philosophy to focus on versatile designs that evolve with you on your bump-to-baby journey with pieces such as dresses that are refined in design, using luxurious fabrics and a feminine style – along with the all-important functionality for maternity and breastfeeding. These and more can be found on caricollection.ie
