Fresh from her debut at Ireland Fashion Week, fledgling Irish designer Sasha Donnellan discusses training at Vivienne Westwood, design school in Paris and bringing femininity to her intricate designs …
When it comes to bright, young things, Irish designer Sasha Donnellan has been making her mark of late. Raised between Westport and Switzerland, the fledgling designer studied at the storied fashion school ESMOD in Paris, and has since shown her graduate collection at both London Fashion Week and the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week. Inspired by whimsical, off-beat designers with a specific point of view such as Cecilie Bahnsen, John Galliano and Simone Rocha, Donnellan’s collections lean into themes such as feminine resilience and the reclamation of heritage. Below, Donnellan shares how a health scare formed her career path at an early age, her design loves and what’s next for her eponymous fashion label.
You’ve just shown at Ireland Fashion Week – what was the theme of your collection?
I had the opportunity to showcase two collections at my Ireland Fashion Week show: my graduate collection from ESMOD titled It Was Mine First, and then my spring/summer 2026 collection Lupus et Agnus, which plays on Aesop’s fable The Wolf and The Lamb. My first collection used the loss of identity through girlhood as a metaphor for Ireland’s loss of identity throughout the country’s history. My recent collection Lupus et Agnus continues this narrative, delving deeper into themes of feminine resilience and the reclamation of heritage, but with a more mature and introspective tone. The collection juxtaposes heavy wools and abstract outerwear with delicate, intricately detailed silk pieces, reflecting the balance between strength and vulnerability that defines the feminine experience throughout history.
How did you get your start in fashion?
I’ve always been drawn to the arts and to fashion history, but for a long time I didn’t see fashion as a realistic path, especially coming from a family with a corporate background. I originally planned to study law in Dublin, but a health scare when I was a teenager completely shifted my perspective and I knew I had to at least attempt to do something I truly loved. In 2020, I decided to take a leap and applied to ESMOD, where I went on to study fashion design and pattern making. Once there, I immersed myself in the craft of fashion; learning everything from pattern-making to tailoring and discovering how technical precision could thrive alongside creativity. While studying, I was also able to gain experience outside of our ateliers, assisting at luxury fashion houses in Paris during Fashion Week and later doing an apprenticeship with Vivienne Westwood. It was these experiences that gave me a real sense of the possibilities that lie within this career.
How would you describe your personal style in three words? And the style of your collections?
My personal style is comfortable, feminine and playful. My collections are thoughtful, delicate and detailed.
What inspires your work? Is there anything that always pushes you to keep it fresh?
I’m inspired by personal experiences and my deep-rooted passions, and I believe that if you stay connected to who you are and continue to grow as a person, your work will evolve with you and naturally stay fresh. At this early stage in my career, I’m looking inward to understand what defines me as a designer. I’m beginning with themes that feel deeply personal, such as my Irish and feminine identities, my love for natural fibres and the romantic undertones that run through my designs.
How does sustainability factor into your work and life?
Sustainability is something that comes naturally to my work, as it is so embedded in the brand’s values. Everything is hand-made either in the studio or by local artisans I’ve built close relationships with. I work mainly with natural fibres or, otherwise, I will use deadstock materials to discourage further production and reduce waste. I have used upcycled pieces to fabricate my designs. For my SS26 collection, I collaborated with Vision Ireland, reworking their beautiful, disregarded fabrics into something entirely new. I also strive to be honest rather than perfect, as I think visibility and sustainability go hand-in-hand when starting a business. Personally, I also try to live by the same values. I’d rather spend more but buy less, investing in quality pieces that last. I mostly shop vintage and, since I can make my own clothes, I rarely buy new ones. I’m an animal lover and that naturally extends to my diet and lifestyle. Being conscious in how I live feels just as important as how I create.
Where do you see Irish fashion going in the future? What do we need to get better at? What are you looking forward to seeing flourish?
I think Irish fashion is at such an exciting turning point. There’s a real sense of momentum and confidence growing in not only our designers, but everyone involved in the industry after seeing the success behind Ireland Fashion Week, as well as Dublin Independent Fashion Week. I can see Irish fashion continuing to become more global, and being recognised similarly to Copenhagen with its twice yearly Fashion Weeks, with international creatives taking a genuine interest in what’s happening here. I think more projects that connect Ireland to international audiences and global buyers will elevate the industry. I would love to see Irish brands represented on the floors of Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché one day. I’m most excited to see the creative community in Ireland continue to flourish and for our country to be recognised for its innovation and artistry. It feels like we’re entering a new chapter – one that’s inclusive and collaborative: proud of its roots while looking towards the future.
What is your perfect Dublin day?
Most of my friends from secondary school are now based in Dublin after studying there [for college], so my perfect Dublin day would be spent with them. I’d start with a slow morning at the National Gallery, taking time to get lost among the paintings, before wandering through Drury Street, stopping into little coffee spots and sampling whatever catches our eye. My ideal evening would be meeting friends for a drink and having the kind of night that ends in uncontrolled laughter, tucked away in the corner of a pub.
Who is your favourite (non-Irish) designer working right now?
I love Chemena Kamali of Chloé. There’s such a beautiful balance in her work and the way in which she combines textiles with soft, historic storytelling feels so genuine and thoughtful. I also really admire Cecilie Bahnsen for her sustainable approach and the way that she captures hyper-femininity while keeping her designs clean, contemporary and wearable. Of course, like so many designers, I’ve always adored John Galliano’s work. His fearless storytelling, and ability to build entire worlds through his collections, continues to inspire me endlessly.
What accounts always inspire you creatively?
I’m not really inspired by specific accounts online, I tend to be more drawn to practical research. I do love, when I have the time (or can’t sleep), scrolling all the way down to the very beginning of a designer’s account, like Dilara Findikoglu or Simone Rocha, and then scrolling back up to see how their work has evolved. There’s something inspiring about watching that progression and seeing how their identities have developed over time.
What’s next for you?
I want to focus on commercialising my work so I can get my pieces into the hands of people who will love and cherish them as much as I do. I’m hoping to spend more time building my network, both in Ireland and abroad, particularly in London and Paris. As well as this, I want to continue creating custom and bespoke pieces, as I’d love to explore dressing clients for red carpets, as well as working on more bridal designs. I also see this next stage as a time for learning. I’d love to return to a brand’s atelier to keep developing my craftsmanship skills and perhaps explore menswear through tailoring, while fulfilling orders for my own brand and continuing to grow; @sashadonnellan, www.sashadonnellan.com.
Photography throughout: Martin O’Neill, Hannah Ring, Christian Tierney, Guilherme Resende.
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