My journey brings together three passions: fashion, sustainability, and the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. Growing up in rural Tipperary, I dreamed of a creative career, but life took me into hospitality, where I spent over 25 years as a chef, hotel manager, and restaurateur. In 2019, I returned to college to study Fashion Design—only to be confronted by the industry’s devastating environmental footprint.
That discovery set me on a different path. During daily sea swims I was inspired to create functional, beautiful garments from repurposed cotton towels and end-of-line fabrics—materials destined for landfill. What began as simple swim ponchos grew quickly, fuelled by a love of design with purpose.
In 2023, LilyMais found a new home in Dingle Marina. Here, every piece—whether a statement dress, hoodie, hat, shorts or poncho—is handmade, unique, and rooted in circular design. For me, fashion is not just about style—it’s about care, creativity, and closing the loop.
What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?
A typical day for me starts with looking at and updating my to-do list – and deciding which projects get my attention today! While we carry some stock in our studio / store, quite a lot of orders are bespoke in that customers see a one-off piece that would like in their size. My favourite days are ones where I am designing, my least favourite are the ones where I am just making! Given that we are open to the public, every day is different and very few days go to plan!
What do you like most about your work?
Creating, hand-painting and bringing old textiles back to life
Biting off more than I can chew – the result of saying yes to everything!
My couch – I reupholstered an old couch with fabric I designed and had printed by Pixalili in Donegal.
In order to wear a t-shirt (rather than a lemon coloured shirt) under my brown school jumper, I Velcroed the collar of a lemon shirt onto my school jumper – and got away with it!
In life: my mother
In fashion: Vivienne Westwood
What advice would you give someone who is considering this craft career?
Analyse yourself – do a SWOT (identifying your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) – and work on turning the weaknesses into strengths.
Where do you get your inspiration?
My surroundings – which is why I love living, designing and creating in West Kerry.
100%. It is the cornerstone of everything I do.
What’s the most challenging part of your craft?
Accepting that to be successful as a designer I must also be the maker, the HR director, the Head of Finance, the Maintenance Engineer, the IT Consultant……
What made you choose your discipline?
It choose me as a child…..
It happens all the time! Because I hand paint and ice-dye onto reclaimed materials, and use a vast array of end-of-line fabrics, colour combinations are often accidental, mostly “happy”.
My husband Feargal is fulltime in the business with me – he’s colourblind and as creative as a brick – but excellent at all the other stuff! A marriage made in fashion heaven so to speak! (he’s actually filling out this form!)
What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a DCCI member
“Don’t be a creative in Ireland without joinging DCCI!”
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By Fran Fogarty
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