For over a decade from my early twenties my passion and job was creating pretty visual images be it on wall in clothing stores where I worked as Visual Merchandiser or be it on my own clothing that I would paint, dye or draw on. I’ve always been crazy about clothing and how you can express yourself through what you wear.

Coming from a very eco conscious up bringing it wasn’t long till I started looking into the fashion industry I was then working in. Sadly my research and findings were not only devastating to me but also our planet. Within less than a year I had moved myself within the fashion industry from a well-paid VM job to working in the vintage clothing sector, learning where and how to locate stock, watching the team revamp old vintage finds into new modern day two pieces. I guess this idea of sourcing something that already existed stuck with me!

I used my contacts to source end of line or slightly faulty stock from several different warehouses here in Ireland that otherwise wouldn’t be used - saving the clothing from heading to landfill or worse!

Due to my own personal battles with mental health, anxiety and depression which I have suffered with throughout my life but even more so again in 2018 ( I had broken my back from a fall while competing at an equine event, my relationship to my fiancé shortly after had come to an end & I was suddenly on my own again with my then 6 year old son) to say life was tough is an understatement.

I began to research therapies for myself and my son and came across CBT & colour therapy and how colour can positively affect our mood levels. It is honestly the most fascinating course I’ve ever studied and made me the person I am today. I am by no means healed, but let’s just say it gave me colour, and a positive life force at a dark and difficult time. I’m smiling as I write this knowing that this incredible little brand came from such a challenging period that transformed me completely - now I want to share that magic with all of you...

The colour therapy lead me to sourcing only bright bold colours for my colour palette (which still didn’t have a name yet) and plastering them with even more positivity by printing positive slogans/words which were literally my mantras at that time!

How the name eventually came to be;

I was having lunch date with my mom and aunt in my cafe Simply Green and I was showing them the first images and drawings, they loved them and my mom said without thinking “you definitely got your fashion flare from your grandmother" her mom - “Lily” (also my middle name) who was a dressmaker back in the 40/50s - I adored my grandmother and her detailed sewing work she did, cutting patterns and watching her create her masterpieces was something that fascinated me as a very young child.

I knew my mom was right and that I needed to incorporate her into this now happy, bright, positive brand I was creating - “All Things” Fiona-Lily was born!