Born in 1921, Sybil Connolly was a trailblazing Irish designer who brought Irish craftsmanship to the global stage. A visionary entrepreneur, she founded the first internationally recognised Irish haute couture fashion house, putting Dublin on the map as a fashion capital in the 1950s and '60s.

Connolly’s signature designs—such as finely pleated linen dresses, handwoven tweeds, and delicate Carrickmacross lace—captivated a prestigious international clientele. Among her most prominent admirers were American dynasties like the Rockefellers, Mellons, and Du Ponts, as well as Hollywood icons including Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Merle Oberon, and Julie Andrews. Even Jacqueline Kennedy chose a Sybil Connolly design—a classic hand-pleated linen dress—for her official White House portrait, securing the designer's status as a symbol of timeless elegance.

Later in her career, Sybil expanded her creative vision into the world of interiors, applying the same reverence for tradition and craftsmanship to home design. She collaborated with leading heritage houses and designed wallpaper, tableware, and fabrics that echoed the romance and refinement of her fashion work. Her Irish clientele included prominent figures such as Lady Sheila Dunsany of Dunsany Castle and Lady Beit of Russborough House, both known for their patronage of the arts and dedication to preserving Irish cultural heritage.

Sybil Connolly’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Irish design history—her work remains a celebration of artistry, elegance, and national identity. Through carefully restored collections like Cottage Orné, her vision continues to inspire a new generation of interiors rooted in beauty, heritage, and craft.