For this week’s Spotlight On feature, we spoke to Irish designer Aisling Kavanagh.
The talented young designer creates gorgeous accessories such as hair pieces and bags, which are available to purchase on her website.Â
She opened up to Goss.ie about how her career started, the challenges of her running a business, and what’s coming next.
Take a look:
Was designing something you always knew you would do growing up?
My love for designing was unearthed as my grandad was a tailor and I was fascinated watching him create these impeccably tailored suits. every stitch, every detail, cut and construction showed true craftsmanship. I learned the value of good design principles, the importance of the right cut, and the quality of the finish.
Also I’ve always lived in the fashion realm. Whenever we were going on family holidays I was allowed to pick out one magazine and my eyes would always go straight to the glamorous Vogue covers. I thought ‘This is not real, this is magic, the dresses, the editorials, the decadence. The kind of fairytale universe was my first exposure to fashion. I still feel like when I create, I always revert back to my childhood and those moments for inspiration.
What was the moment you decided to go for it?Â
It all happened naturally, to be honest. I started making the hairbands for myself, my friends and family and just putting up the pretty imagery on Instagram and then people started writing to me asking to buy them, which I never imagined would happen, and from there it kind of took off.
There was so much interest and so many people were willing to support me and my designs, it gave me such encouragement to do something I’m really passionate about. I’m so lucky to work with such beautiful things too.  That’s how it started—it was really by chance.
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But the pandemic and lockdown really pushed me to start my own brand page on Instagram and website. I was incredibly nervous putting the pieces out there for everyone to see but I’m so glad I did.Â
The pandemic gave me a chance to reflect on the brand and what I wanted it to become. I realised how quickly life can pass by and why was I waiting for everything to be perfect before I started a website? I got so caught up with it wanting to be perfect that I wasn’t looking at the bigger picture and it’s about the pieces I’ve made at the end of the day and not about the perfect photo or the perfect Instagram feed. It’s all a learning process and it will all happen over time, I just have to keep reminding myself that imperfect is the new perfect!
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What has been your biggest achievement so far?
Having people that you really admire wearing my pieces feels really, really good and that’s my biggest achievement to date. That’s like, the ultimate form of validation. Occasionally I’ll get DMs from people who are like, ‘I just want to reach out to let you know that I bought something from you, and it makes me feel so special, and I feel the energy in it, I feel a connection with this piece.’
People connecting to your work is the ultimate form of encouragement & your community is ever-growing. My passion is to make girls and women feel truly themselves while wearing my designs and who is confident in her own skin and feel some type of energy while wearing it. I think it really keeps you going & motivates you. Those kind of things make it more than just the material item.
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What were the challenges starting out?
I definitely am still learning and still have many challenges. There are so many people I know who have businesses and what a lot of people do is make a business plan, get investors and get the right people working for them and it comes from a different part of the brain and I didn’t plan at all, I just made stuff that I like. What I am trying to do retroactively is build a plan and a structure but that doesn’t come naturally to me but I think it’s really important to have that because when I started, I couldn’t keep up with all the orders and I couldn’t do it all.
But I’ve been extremely lucky that I’ve always had the help of my family and friends. Yes, the brand is called Aisling Kavanagh Design but there’s so many people behind the scenes that helps me to create it. My sister helps me with the content creation and coming up with new ideas, she’s the first person I run everything by. My mom who is there no matter what. If I have to do an all nighter to finish something, she’ll be right there with me. And my friends who are the perfect models to showcase my pieces. Having help and asking for help is so important so I learned how to ask for it. It’s really important to know why you’re doing things and what makes you different. It has to be pure: if you’re just looking at what other people are doing and then doing that, it’s hard for people to really connect with it.Â
And lastly to put it bluntly, it’s all about the hustle. Blood, sweat & tears goes into everything and there was no guarantee it was going to do well. When I release new pieces I feel so vulnerable and a wave of self doubt consumes me. You have to have a very thick skin and a really good inner constitution that can handle projection. All of those things are very hard, especially if you’re sensitive like me.
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Have you a favourite piece you’ve designed?Â
I love custom making bespoke pieces especially for brides. Every piece is so different and that’s the most exciting part about it. The journey begins with the customer, working together creating the design. A lot of the beading I use for the hairbands is old costume jewellery or old buttons that I’ve collected over the years from friends and family that they won’t wear anymore. Making the hairband extra special, I customise it by using off cuts from their wedding dress or perhaps a family heirloom from a grandparent, mom or dad (dad’s favourite shirt cut off, granny’s favourite dress cut off, necklace, earrings, ring, blazer with buttons) to add to the band. This really compliments the dress and makes it a one of a kind. I’m also giving it a new lease of life and designed to last a lifetime through every special occasion and that’s the main focus of my brand.Â
That’s the goal of the way I design. I want to create pieces that will make people stop you and ask ‘Wow, where did you get that?’Â
I want to make the customer shine, I want to excite them. When I put something on and I love it, I lighten up. That’s the kind of feeling I’m chasing when I design.Â
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Have you any plans to expand your designs beyond accessories?Â
I think the main focus will always be the accessories and I want to work on perfecting them and creating new designs. but I definitely think there is room to expand. I studied fashion design in college and I sometimes miss creating garments as that is my background. But I’m unsure on what that could be. Never say never.Â
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What would be your advice for aspiring young designers?Â
​​Fashion is such a broad industry. Try to find your niche within it. It’s also a tough industry to get into and requires a lot of hard work, dedication and consistency. If you’re up for the challenge, as cliché as it sounds, just go for it.
Become knowledgeable in the field you want to get into. I find internships are key – you get to see what it’s like to work in a fast-paced fashion environment, you see how the real industry works and you learn skills you can take with you in the future. Also, be sure to ask questions to people within the industry. People love to give advice, and being successful often means learning from those who have already achieved their goals.
Stay in your own lane, don’t get distracted by others or comparing yourself, stick to what you’re good. Social media is such an incredible platform to get your name out there – use that to your advantage! Put up beautiful images of your designs and be consistent but don’t overthink it. it’s really easy to get caught up in wanting everything to be perfect when you first start. Having the perfect photos and feed. It will all happen organically over time. Don’t expect it to be perfect and hopefully, you will then start to see results and get the recognition you deserve.
What’s next for you?
I want the brand to continually grow along with my community. I want to explore and develop skills, always learning and innovating new designs. Looking for opportunities to expand the brand, and although I’m just starting out and have a long way to go I strive to produce my pieces as sustainable as possible while also staying true to myself and what I’ve done so far! Whatever that translates into.
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