As a professional Couture Milliner, Ailish McElroy designs exquisite and stylish works of wearable art from her studio in O’Callaghan’s Mills in East Clare.
Her work aspires to embody progressive thinking in design while connecting the wearer to the traditional craft of hat making, combining innovation with heritage skills. Her artistic practice demands meticulous attention to detail, and her work has grown to be recognised for artistic excellence, reflecting the pinnacle of specialised craftsmanship.
As a result, Ailish McElroy has developed a deep understanding of the materials, tools and techniques for this labor intensive discipline.
While mainly self taught, she trained with established milliners in Ireland and London before setting up her own professional practice. Ailish McElroy is an active member of the professional Council of Irish Fashion Designers and the European Fashion Alliance producing two collections a year for broadcast on their You Tube Channel; www.youtube.com/@CouncilofIrishFashionDesigners
Ailish McElroy actively seeks out and draws inspiration from many creative disciplines such as Fine Art, Abstract Expressionism, nature and photography enabling her to push the boundaries of her creativity through interpreting form, colour and construction inventively.
Ailish McElroy continually strives to develop new techniques, experiment with materials, and incorporate modern design elements to create unique and contemporary works of art in her practice.
As a result, she was nominated for the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards in 2019 for her use of sustainable materials to produce a collection of headpieces out of Birch wood which subsequently garnered national attention.
Ailish McElroy regularly collaborates with other artists and designers continually engaging with creative practitioners in various desciplines such as the Irish Glass Society of Ireland and Borris Lace Makers and is passionate about promoting and raising awareness for the high quality of Irish made clothing and Irish fashion designers.