Just prior to Christmas, Donegal’s own fashion powerhouse, Una Rodden, sat down with me

to discuss her embarkment into the confusing world of becoming a fashion student at

University, her experience of getting her foot in the door, her creativity flourishing in rural

Donegal and loyalty in Belfast.

As culture editor of The Scoop, I had the honour of attending the launch party for Rodden’s

collection – Vol.2. We were treated with a night filled with gowns, glamour and gin. Walking

into a Lynchian room reminiscent of Twin Peaks, with its ominous red plush booths and low

mood lighting, it felt as though we were stepping into Rodden’s mind during her creation of

this collection.

Every passion has a beginning, which is often powered by influences. To better understand

her start in fashion, I began by asking all about any idols or influences she may have had

during her time studying in Limerick -

U.R: ‘I’ve been finished college for about thirty five years”, she began, “so first of all, it was

not even heard of to go to Limerick to study fashion, fashion designing wasn’t a career. It

was very much – Oh my god, why are you studying fashion? Can you even get a job in that?

So it was quite a rare thing at the time.

Probably my influences when I was there would’ve been Yohji Yamamoto, Dries Van Noten;

I would’ve been a massive fan of their stuff and their work! And they’re Avant Garde but

they’re also quite wearable designers. Dries Van Noten stepped down this year but I would

always have worn stuff of his and Yohji Yamamoto is an amazing designer – who apparently

wants to be a rockstar he doesn’t even want to be a fashion designer at all! He always did

everything black and it was always really clever.’

C.C: ‘Absolutely! And would you have any advice for students studying fashion?’

U.R: ‘It’s a tough, tough game. It’s a tough life. It’s definitely my vocation, it’s not a job. I

think you have to love it - you need to love it. It’s really, really hard work and this is all very

beautiful tonight, but the work that goes into making this happen is a nightmare! My advice

would be –

keep working hard,

go with your gut,

don’t listen to anybody else,

stick to what you want to do!

Don’t try to be someone you’re not…

and just do your own thing regardless of what’s on trend or what’s happening.

Just be yourself.’

Auteur ship is a large element of Rodden’s work. After talking about the signature style of

Dries Van Noten and Yohji Yamamoto, she expands on her own style.

U.R: ‘I’ve made loads of mistakes – which means you learn. I think over the years I have

created my own style but it takes a lot of mistakes to get to a stage where I can look at

something and say ‘okay, that’s my signature look’.’

Una was employed by Michelle O’Doherty, and her creativity began to blossom in Belfast.

Bespoke dress making services became her bread and butter!

C.C: ‘A lot of people really struggle getting their foot in the door, any advice on that?’

U.R: ‘I think these days, firstly, you do need to learn (the basics) – one of my girls works in

an alteration shop and she’s gotten loads of skills from that, working with seamstresses.’

She firmly believes in the transformative power of the internet furthering your career and to

foster connections. We have a wealth of resources, networking opportunities and platforms

to showcase our work and accomplishments at our fingertips.

U.R: ‘I would say these days with social media, just making things and putting them online

and getting people to model. A lot of the girls tonight are not professional models but

Karen, who works for me, has made a connection with these girls and they all do

photoshoots online and getting content for themselves. I do think it’s a great way to get

your foot in the door. Unfortunately the technical skills are really lacking – like designers

going off and learning how to sew properly you know, because the ladies that have all that

knowledge are getting older and older and there’s no one coming through. Nobody wants to

do the hard labour and no one wants to do the sewing – the technical work. So I think that’s

a niche, and if you find what you’re good at; if you’re good technically and if you’re good at

sewing and if you’re a maker then you can really do well in the fashion industry because

there’s a very little amount of people like that around.’

Being from a small town in rural Mayo, I’m all too familiar with the internal struggles of

having dreams which lie in the arts when everyone around you wants to live a “secure”

lifestyle, as many would say. We are forced to watch as eyes roll and listen to judgements

made about our degree. Una Rodden is an inspiration for those of us with artistic ambitions.

Growing up on a farm to becoming a highly respected Belfast designers, she followed her gut

and understood that her life would be flipped upside down.

C.C: ‘As a fellow rural, southern girl, do you think your background influenced your process,

your design or your style?’

U.R: ‘Yes, definitely! First of all I think a country, rural background makes you more creative

and inventive – which sounds a bit weird because you have very little material to work with,

so you have to make the best with what you’ve got. So I do think that the rural background

is a great experience and also work ethic if you’re from the country – like I’m from a farming

background so of course its hard work and working 24 hours a day is something that’s

ingrained into you.’

‘But I also want to say, I am here for twenty five years and Belfast has really embraced and

supported me. The majority of the ladies here tonight know me for twenty five years, they

are fiercely loyal. If there’s one thing about Belfast and Northern Ireland in general is that

there is a great loyalty and a great dedication to local young talent. I have had nothing but

support from everyone in Belfast. There is great nurture and support for their own.’

As a fellow creative, I have gained the utmost respect for Una Rodden. Her remarkable

journey from Donegal to becoming a standout in Belfast’s creative scene truly demonstrates

her passion, resilience and determination. For those of us who are daring enough to pursue

our own dreams, Una serves as a reminder that hard work and staying true to your unique

vision are key to making your mark!