Dublin: Mary O’Donnell, a celebrated Irish designer with a notable career in both Ireland and the U.S., has passed away at the age of 91. Known for her bespoke creations and collaborations with high-profile clients, she significantly influenced global fashion with her traditional Irish craftsmanship.
Mary O’Donnell, a prominent Irish designer with a significant influence in both Ireland and the United States, has passed away at the age of 91. Her niece, She-She O’Donnell, announced the news on social media on January 26.
O’Donnell’s career was marked by her work with high-profile clients, including Princess Grace of Monaco, Ethel Kennedy, and Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland. Born in Kilcar, Ireland, O’Donnell was introduced to the craft of design in her childhood, mastering skills in wool spinning, knitting, and dressmaking. Her nimbleness in creating garments was such that she reportedly could knit while reading a book simultaneously.
At just 17, O’Donnell left her small town for New York City to pursue formal training at the Traphagen School of Design. To support herself and her studies, she worked as a waitress. Her early professional experience included a position at Mainbocher, a reputable fashion house known for its association with notable figures such as the Duchess of Windsor and C.Z. Guest.
Upon returning to Ireland in the early 1950s, O’Donnell launched her fashion career working for Sybil Connolly on Grafton Street before establishing her own namesake company on Dawson Street in Dublin. Her foray into the fashion industry also included a boutique in New York and contributions to costume design, including the 1981 film “Lovespell.”
During the 1950s to the 1970s, O’Donnell emerged as a leading designer alongside contemporaries like Connolly, Irene Gilbert, and Michelina Stacpoole, a period characterised by social and political change in Ireland. Notably, many of O’Donnell’s contemporaries were alumni of the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design, Ireland’s first fashion academy.
Her design style prominently featured traditional Irish materials, with an emphasis on lace, wool, tweed, and crochet. O’Donnell collaborated with a network of artists, many of whom worked from home, to incorporate intricate embroidery and crochet into her custom creations. This dedication not only showcased her talent but also supported local artisans, particularly in less affluent areas of Ireland. Clodagh Phipps, an interiors and fashion designer who met O’Donnell in the 1960s, remarked on her ability to celebrate Irish craftsmanship, noting, “Mary honoured and celebrated Irish designers, plus the tweed and knitting industries worldwide.”
O’Donnell’s connections to the Irish American community were evident through her regular travels to the U.S. One notable event occurred in 1970 when she showcased her collection at a charity show hosted by Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife, Joan. The designer was known for her colourful evening wear and sophisticated silhouettes, often featuring high-waisted skirts paired with fitted tops and intricately designed gowns that reflected her philosophy of simplicity and quality. Her designs adapted seamlessly into global fashion trends, as demonstrated by her spring collection presented in the U.S. in 1969.
Throughout her career, O’Donnell encountered unique circumstances. In 1979, her showroom in London was damaged by a bomb thrown from a moving vehicle, although the motives behind the act were not connected to her fashion work. O’Donnell also shared amusing anecdotes from her time in the industry, including a memorable interaction with actor Richard Burton during a promotional event in Chicago, where she and Burton clashed over their artistic approaches.
After closing her Dublin boutique in 1983, O’Donnell split her time between Ireland and the U.S. until her retirement in 1995. She subsequently returned to her family home in Kilcar, where she largely maintained a private life in her later years. The details regarding her survivors were not immediately disclosed.
Source: Noah Wire Services
