You know Dior, but have you heard of “Dublin’s Dior”?
Sybil Connolly was an Irish designer credited with the title of “Dublin’s Dior.” Known for her use of traditional Irish textiles, Connolly’s impact reached far from just Ireland.
Born in the United Kingdom in the 1920s, Connolly started her fashion career as an apprentice for London’s Bradley & Co., a dressmaking company run by two Irish brothers. Connolly got to work with Bradley & Co.’s most prestigious client—Queen Mary.
Connolly returned to Ireland in the 1940s to work for the Richard Alan fashion house run by Jack Clark. In 1953, Connolly took the place of Design Director where she started to really utilize Irish textiles, which started to draw the attention of the American market.
Carmel Snow, the director of Harper’s Bazaar at the time, was a pivotal figure in launching Connolly’s American career. Snow brought American press and buyers to view Connolly’s work in Ireland.
From there, Connolly’s designs boomed in America during the 1950s and 1960s. Some of Connolly’s most famous clients included Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Andrews and Jackie Kennedy. The First Lady wore one of Connolly’s designs for her official White House portrait.
Connolly’s trademark, that Jackie Kennedy wore in her portrait, was the pleated linen dress. Pleating up to nine yards of linen handkerchiefs’ resulted in one yard of the final product. Connolly employed around a hundred women back in Ireland to produce tweed and lace used in other designs.
Connolly’s couture line was launched in 1957 in Dublin. Unlike other designers, Connolly never changed her designs. Her work stayed consistent for years and never adapted to the ever-growing trends.
A quote from Connolly found from the Women’s Museum of Ireland: “Good fashion does not need to change.”
Connolly was a traditional and religious woman, but she was also a trailblazer and stayed true to the roots of her country, making her legacy a special one.
Written by Macy Berendsen