Neillí Mulcahy facts for kids

Neillí Mulcahy (born 27 February 1925 – died 6 May 2012) was a talented Irish fashion designer. She helped create the Irish Haute Couture Group in 1962. This group worked to promote Irish fashion around the world.

Early Life and Education

Neillí Mulcahy was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 27 February 1925. She was one of six children. Her father, Richard Mulcahy, was a very important person in Ireland. He was a commander in the Irish army and a government minister. Her mother, Mary Josephine "Min" Ryan, helped start a women's group called Cumann na mBan.

Neillí had many relatives who were involved in Ireland's early independence. Her aunts, Mary Kate Ryan and Phyllis Ryan, both married Seán T. O'Kelly, who became the second President of Ireland. Her uncle, James Ryan, was also a politician.

Neillí went to school at Loreto College, St Stephen's Green. She studied science at University College Dublin for one year. But she soon realized her passion was fashion. She left university to take dressmaking classes at St Mary's College of Domestic Science. After that, she graduated from Grafton Academy of Dress Designing. In 1951, she traveled to Paris, France, to study fashion even more. She spent six months training in the famous fashion house of Jacques Heim.

On 28 April 1956, Neillí married Tommy Bacon, a lawyer from Dublin. They had seven daughters together.

Fashion Career

Neillí Mulcahy returned to Dublin in 1952. She opened her own fashion workshop on South Frederick Street. She started with three employees whom she trained herself. In 1953, she won an award from Elsa Schiaparelli, another famous designer.

In 1955, Neillí showed her first fashion collection. It was held in her family home and was a huge success. She became known for using traditional Irish fabrics like wool and tweed. She worked with companies like McNutt Weaving Company and Avoca Handweavers to create new colors and styles of linen and tweed.

Neillí designed tailored wool suits that were comfortable and simple. She believed that women's suits, just like men's, needed pockets! She often used bright colors in her designs.

Her aunt, Phyllis Ryan, wore Neillí's dresses and ballgowns. She wore them when she accompanied her husband, President Seán T. O'Kelly, to events in Ireland and other countries. For example, she wore Neillí's designs during the first visit of an Irish President to the United States in 1959.

Neillí's designs were very popular in America and Germany. She exported most of her clothes to these markets. In 1967, she showed her collection on a transatlantic ship. In 1968, her designs were displayed at a fashion event in Chicago.

In 1962, Neillí co-founded the Irish Haute Couture Group. She started it with fellow designers Irene Gilbert and Ib Jorgensen. Their goal was to promote Irish fashion to buyers from other countries.

Neillí also designed uniforms for many companies. She created uniforms for Great Southern Hotels, Allied Irish Banks staff, CIÉ train hostesses, and staff at Shannon Airport Duty Free shops. One of her most famous uniform designs was for Aer Lingus air hostesses in 1963. These uniforms were made from bright Kelly green tweed.

By the 1960s, custom-made "couture" clothes became less popular. People started buying more ready-to-wear clothes, which were cheaper. Neillí's company found it hard to change with these new trends. Even her use of Irish fabrics started to seem old-fashioned to younger women.

Neillí believed the government should do more to support the Irish fashion industry. On 1 July 1969, she closed her workshop. However, she continued to work as a designer. She also advised the government on fashion and clothing production. She stayed involved with the Grafton Academy, helping to judge student collections and guide new designers.

Later Life and Legacy

Neillí Mulcahy gave her collection of designs and papers to the National Museum of Ireland. In 1996, her work was shown in an exhibition at the Ulster Museum. The National Museum also held a special show of her designs in 2007.

Neillí Mulcahy passed away on 6 May 2012 in Dublin. She is buried in Mount Venus cemetery. Her work helped to put Irish fashion on the world stage.