Designer meets with Duchess again during Empire Bar visit

Designer meets with Duchess again during Empire Bar visit

13 March 2019

SAINTFIELD fashion designer Meabh Mageean has the ear — and the eye — of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

The 30 year-old was lucky to meet the Duchess for the second time when she visited Belfast with her husband recently.

It was natural that their chat turned to weddings and clothes, given that one is regarded as the best-dressed Royal in the world and the other is an up and coming fashion designer.

Meabh had been asked to meet the Duchess at an celebration of achievement of young people at the Empire bar.

She had previously met with her last February at a fashion event in Buckhingham Palace.

“I was asked to meet and talk to the Duchess about that event and my own work,” explained Meabh.

“She was interested to know what I brought back from last year’s event and if it enhanced my business. We also shared memories of  our weddings with me having made my own dresses and of course her having her wedding dress made and wanting Irish lace included.

“I told her I loved the way she used the emblems of the different countries in the United Kingdom, the daffodil, thistle, rose and shamrock embroidered into her dress.”

Meabh’s, who was wearing one of her own creations, received a compliment from the Duchess.

She continued: “The Duchess was also keen to know what Co Down is known for in terms of textiles and I gave her a brief synopsis of our historic linen industry. Then I was then asked to introduce four other young designers whose work ranged from children’s wear to party planning.”

Meabh praised the Duchess for her generous amount of time spent with each person and her “genuine interest in the creative industry.”

The designer, who first began to create bespoke tweed waistcoats for men, said she would be honoured to design for the Duchess one day.

“I love her style,” said Meabh. “In the role that she has, it’s important to stand out in a crowd and be seen. I could imagine combining a bright colour and tweed together, maybe a tailored coat dress and perhaps William could be persuaded to co ordinate with one of my waistcoats.”

Meabh’s work currently caters for weddings and special occasion wear. She can be commissioned to design everything from a tweed cape for a bride to matching waistcoats and ties for men.

Her aim for the future is to design a collection of special occasion wear and further develop her established men’s range.