‘Ireland inspires me’
Jennifer Rothwell was destined for a career in fashion - she was just seven when she first started designing clothes, albeit for her Barbie!
After graduating from Dublin’s National College of Art and Design in the 1990s, she headed to the United States to gain experience at top fashion houses, including Calvin Klein. There, she also gained the confidence she needed to “bite the bullet” and launch her own line of creations, inspired by Ireland.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I was born in New York City; my parents Tony and Bernie immigrated to the US in the late 1960s. We returned to Ireland when I was 10 months. As an adult, I moved back to my place of birth and lived there permanently, until returning to Dublin in 2005. I later launched my own label Jennifer Rothwell. I am also the proud mother of two children – Isabelle, (11) and Kal (5) - my most beautiful creations to-date!
Was a career in fashion always on the cards?
My love of fashion started when I decided to turn my pink jumpsuit, which had elasticised cuff sleeves, into a pair of trousers for my Barbie doll when I was seven!
How did you get in to the industry?
I wanted to start my own label after leaving college, but I knew I needed to gain experience in the trade before jumping in the deep end. I learned the A to Z of the fashion industry as Director of Design and Production for many high-profile New York companies Norma Kamali, Katayone Adeli, Calvin Klein, Language and Yigal Azrouel. In August 2006, I decided to bite the bullet and launch my own label.
What was your inspiration?
Living away from Ireland on and off for over 17 years gave me a greater appreciation for my Irish heritage and culture. I wanted to help reignite the Celtic revival of the 19th and
20th centuries in the 21st century; to celebrate Irish artists, folklore, legends and traditions through fashion, in a modern and contemporary way. In 2016, the National Museum of Ireland purchased three of my designs for their collections – that was a great honour and endorsement.
Tell us about your latest print collections
The Féileacán collection - the first of many new prints - is inspired by the need to create awareness; to save vital species in order for the Earth’s future survival. The second new print collection is inspired by St Brigid, the Goddess of Fire - Ireland’s first female saint.
Has tourism helped your business?
Tourists who come to Ireland love the fact that they can purchase a little piece of Ireland, and the story of Celtic Ireland, through my fashion and accessories.
I think it’s great to see something like 11 million people visit our small island of Ireland in one year; this shows great potential for Irish design and craft.
Top places to visit?
Wexford is one of my favourite counties in Ireland; there, you can visit Hook Lighthouse and the
Irish Heritage National Park. In Dublin, Howth Head is a must.
It’s a beautiful fishing village that has several excellent locally sourced fishing restaurants. Stoop Your Head, in Skerries, is also a must. For pubs; Mulligan’s and The Globe in Dublin!