When I was a little girl, my grandmother would tell me of her aunt, a dress maker and how every year, perhaps for a birthday or Christmas, she would be gifted a beautiful handmade dress that she would then proudly wear to the dances. It is only in my older years that I have looked back upon these tales in disbelief; that 50 years later, as she sat at that kitchen table she could still recount to me every dress she ever owned, the details on it, the shade of the fabric, the lining, even the petticoat…and while she would recount these details her eyes would brim with appreciation and fondness.

In that moment, I never realised I was witnessing something that has now become so rare; a genuine thoughtfulness and appreciation for our clothing, a wholehearted contentment with what we have, to cherish our belongings, to take care of them, to wear them time and time again and to be proud of them. A wholesome and admirable quality that with each fast fashion generation is very quickly diminishing. As I have grown older and reflected upon these tales, I have felt a sadness, that we as a society have strayed so far from this simple, tentative and grateful approach to life.

Founded in 2022 Annie Leona endeavours to unearth a tender and attentive approach to fashion; a value that we seem to have lost somewhere along the way.  Everything I create is built upon the deeply rooted belief that fashion can once again be still, in-destructive and cherished. It can be handmade, beautiful and luxurious without damaging our natural world, endorsing the slave trade or exploiting others. Furthermore, it can be used to do good and to give back when and where possible; to encourage kindness and let love grow in a world where we have forgotten its importance. That is why with each collection and garment we create, we will donate a percentage of our profits to charity in the hope of extending a helping hand to those in need and to spread kindness and light wherever darkness nestles.

Exploration and appreciation of heritage is at the heart of everything we do here at Annie Leona, with each piece we create we reflect upon the past by unearthing old traditions and marrying them to the present moment. Our mission is to excavate and appreciate our rich textiles industry here in Ireland. We are proud to say that all of our fabric is locally sourced and handmade through a make-to-order model, ensuring minimal waste and impact on the environment. We are dedicated to creating unique and ethical clothing that is kind to the planet and will stand the test of time.

Our first collection “thoughts of home” pays tribute to Irelands rich Linen industry. We have sourced the highest quality 100% Irish linen, not only for its infamous local legacy but its durable and robust qualities which make it so unique. Once Irelands most esteemed industry and one of the oldest fabrics in the world, Linen is also considered one of the most sustainable fabrics to manufacture. We hope to honour this beloved part of our heritage through our very first Limited Edition collection and give back to local industry by helping those in need and cherishing all that makes this beautiful land home.