20 Jan The Chaise Lounge Guest Host: Stacy Garcia Meets Design Icon Clodagh
Have you ever thought about starting your own business or what it takes to stay relevant in today’s market? With your guest host of the Chaise Lounge Podcast, Stacy Garcia, we’re diving much deeper than the surface of the business of interior design to see what makes a business successful through captivating conversations with inspiring designers in the industry.
On the first episode, Stacy interviews design icon Clodagh who began her own fashion business when she was just 17 years old in her home country of Ireland. This early start parlayed into an incredible career in design, art, writing and now, philanthropy, making Clodagh a cross-cultural, cross-generational individual with so much wisdom to share.
See 3 key takeaways from the podcast below!
1. A “Why Not” Attitude
It all began for Clodagh when she saw an ad for a dress designer at the age of 15 and thought “why the heck not”. This optimism & drive led her to open her own fashion business at the age of 17 with just 400 pounds from her mother, two employees (a tailor and a seamstress), and a small sign that read “Clodagh Haute Couture”.
This positive attitude is a continued theme throughout Clodagh’s career. She mentions that many of the “magical” moments in her life which have led to her successes are a result of “wanting for something to happen” as well as “being open for it to happen”. Her eagerness to look for new work comes with the belief that you are able to achieve your highest self and ambitions when in a work environment that supports you.
2. Growing Credibility, Clientele and your Pocket
Clodagh’s career got it’s kick-start when the Irish Cancer Society had published some of her work from design school and invited her to do a fashion show to raise money. Resulting in a ton of publicity for Clodagh and her business, the Irish Export Development Group chose to sponsor her to go to the states and show her collection for Fashion Week. Here, she received her first big order which led to a TV feature and essentially, growth of her name.
Clodagh does not describe her design style as an aesthetic, but as a way of life…”Designers are chameleons, and have to be”, she states. Realizing everybody you work with has a brand, whether a human being or an actual brand, you have to examine it and tie your design ideas to that to meet your client’s desires and needs. Be a travel guide who may either take your client to the normal places or to places that are off the beaten path.
3. A Radical Move
Despite the inability to speak a lick of Spanish, Clodagh moved to Spain with her new husband where they had two new homes to be completely renovated. Through the process, Clodagh became fascinated by the architecture and this is when she had her almost “biblical”, ah-ha moment of realization that interior design is what she wanted to do. Although Clodagh loved fashion, she states, “I hate the word trend, I want to create movements”.
MIRAVAL SPA Fire Pit Lounge by Clodagh Photo by Ken Hayden
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