A new sustainable fashion hub is set to open in Letterkenny next Thrusday
Circular Dress Collaborative is excited to announce its grand opening on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 10 am, serving as a new hub for sustainable fashion and events in the communities of Donegal and surrounding counties.
This innovative initiative encourages consumers to participate in a circular economy by selling their pre-loved, high-quality dresses and event-related clothing & accessories. Sellers can earn money from garments that find new homes, all while keeping textiles out of landfills.
Better still, the buyer also benefits, as they can wear the clothing, clean it, and resell it again. Wedding, Communion, Day & Evening, Prom and Fancy Dress Halloween are just a few categories housed along with an array of complimentary accessories.
The stocking of top Designer & High Street labels will be just one aspect of this brand. Circular Dress Collaborative aims to empower women in the community through the ethos of Resale, Repair, Repurpose, Remember & Rebuild. Consignment fees taken will be used to focus on providing a safe and social environment for women through textile construction, deconstruction and sewing while providing essential customer service skills, enriching their lives and that of the community and the environment.
Work Experience for Transition Year (TY) and University students is welcomed, with creative workshops, classes and lectures coming soon to involve businesses and individuals.
This is spearheaded by award-winning New York dress designer Sheila Clancy O’Donnell, a Letterkenny resident for the past 19 years, who has been lending her expertise from working for leading fashion & retail powerhouses to secondary and third-level institutions internationally for decades.
As a current Master’s in Sustainability Leadership candidate at the University of Galway, Sheila emphasizes the importance of using her knowledge to drive positive change in an industry that contributes significantly to the harmful effects of climate change & social inequality.
“I was never a pre-loved shopper. Being a design and retail snob, the concept went against my personal & business instincts, as I constantly chased the latest trends. However, as I discover more about the impacts of fast & excessive fashion purchases on our environment and biodiversity, especially in Ireland, I feel a need to make a difference. As my children remind me, my generation started this problem, it’s up to us to solve it,” Sheila shares.
She would like to acknowledge the invaluable mentorship received from Karen McGinley from DLDC and expertise guidance from Richard McNamara of McDonald’s, both of whom were monumental in the realisation of this dream.
Sustainability thrives on collaboration, and this is no different. From help with repurposed wood, furniture and machines from two local craftsmen Michael and Danny, to the meeting of wonderful women in communities across Donegal, Derry, Strabane & Belfast- an eclectic, gorgeous clothing collection suitable for all ages & occasions has been curated.
However, it’s Sheila’s husband Martin and daughter Alexandra whom she credits for helping to get the fashion venue over the line. Martin singlehandedly transformed an empty warehouse space into a visually appealing circular showroom that exudes warmth with style.
The Circular Dress Collaborative invites the greater Donegal community and beyond to join in transforming fashion consumption by embracing pre-loved options and fostering a more sustainable future. This space is for all of you to enjoy
For more information about the Circular Dress Collaborative and our hours of operation, please visit www.circulardresscollaborative.com or contact us at circulardresscollab@gmail.com.
Join us in making a difference—one pre-loved dress at a time!
