Latest news with #AshleyMcDonnell
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Ashley McDonnell: Cambodia was a country that surprised me — it was a mix of feelings
Born in New York and raised in Galway, entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell's passion in life is travel. Living between Paris and Dublin, where she built her career in the luxury beauty and fashion industries, she's been to 60 countries and plans to see the whole world. As founder of hit podcast Tech Powered Luxury and Ireland's first-ever upcoming Fashion Week, she's constantly on the move, for work, adventure, or both. Favourite childhood holiday memory I was very fortunate to grow up in a family that travelled extensively. My parents emigrated to the UK and then to the US, so I had a very international upbringing. Even when I look back, I have a photo of my great-grandmother on a camel in Morocco at a time when very few people would have travelled so far, especially women. She was a true explorer and an ambitious woman who never took 'no' for an answer. I grew up feeling very comfortable out of my comfort zone and always had a big hunger to see new places. My best childhood travel memory was in the south of France. We spent many summers in non-touristy areas, surrounded by French people and families. That definitely gave me a big love for France and encouraged me to learn French and, ultimately, move there. Most surprising destination Cambodia: "It was a surprise that was pleasant; discovering how warm and resilient the people are, but also heartbreaking when I understood the extent of the genocide under the Khmer Rouge." Cambodia was a country that surprised me. I went there for the first time in 2013, and it was a mix of feelings. It was a surprise that was pleasant; discovering how warm and resilient the people are, but also heartbreaking when I understood the extent of the genocide under the Khmer Rouge. It propelled me to take action. I fundraised for the construction of a school in Cambodia while I was a student to help with education, because what happened during the genocide was that anyone who was well educated was a target, and the education system collapsed. As part of the project, we constructed a computer room and provided electricity, Wi-Fi, and computers to a previously remote area where most people lacked electricity in their homes. We also made sure English classes were part of it. It opened my eyes to how privileged we are in Europe and the developed world, having access to the internet and education. Most memorable trip Botswana: "There was no luxury — very little electricity, no network, barely running water — but it was the most magical travel experience I've ever had." Somewhere that had been on my wish list for a long time was Botswana. I finally got to go this year. Initially, I was going to take a solo trip to Namibia, then Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. A week before I left, my best friend, Akash, decided he was coming too. We embarked on a two-week overland adventure in a truck, accompanied by a guide, a driver, and a diverse group of fabulous people from around the world. My highlight was the Okavango Delta. We stayed two nights on a houseboat, and every evening, had to turn off all the lights at sunset or half the river would join you in your room. There was no luxury — very little electricity, no network, barely running water — but it was the most magical travel experience I've ever had. Favourite city Paris: "Even every time I've moved away, I end up back. I think I've accepted my fate that Paris is a city I'll forever be tied to, and there's no point fighting that." Without a doubt, it's Paris. I love the city, and wherever I go in the world, I inevitably end up returning to Paris. Even every time I've moved away, I end up back. I think I've accepted my fate that Paris is a city I'll forever be tied to, and there's no point fighting that. First and foremost, it's the architecture. If you walk through the beautiful avenues with the Haussmannian buildings, the gardens, the Louvre — that beauty is so deep in the culture of France. It transcends into fashion, food, language, everything. As someone who is bilingual, I don't have a language barrier. People are always very curious when they find out I'm Irish because it's not what they expect. They expect someone from another European country, or maybe French Canadian. Favourite hotel PuLi hotel: "One of my favourite hotels in the world is the PuLi Hotel in Shanghai. It's located in the Jing'an area and combines traditional Chinese architecture with a modern touch." One of my favourite hotels in the world is the PuLi Hotel in Shanghai. It's located in the Jing'an area and combines traditional Chinese architecture with a modern touch. From the spa to the breakfast to the bar, it's the kind of hotel you don't want to leave. When you arrive in China, it can be daunting because everything is in Chinese characters. At the PuLi, you can still enjoy the whole experience, and you know you can communicate with the staff, as they speak English. The spa is another level, and there's a pool overlooking the skyscrapers and a park. When you walk out into the park, you'll see retired Chinese people out exercising and meeting each other. Memorable food experience One of my favourite countries is Italy. Most summers, I try to go to Capri. I always treat myself to one exceptional dinner, and two years ago I finally booked a table at L'Olivo, a two-Michelin-star restaurant. Without a doubt, it was the most exceptional dining experience I've ever had. From the starters to the bread to the lemon pasta and the trolley of homemade sweets, everything was perfect. If you go, be there for sunset because the views in Anacapri are stunning. Favourite thing to do while travelling When I'm going on a personal trip, I look for something that's completely different to my day-to-day life. In the last years, it's been adventure. I've signed up for expeditions in some of the most remote places. The trip I'm preparing for now is a horseback trek across the country's largest mountain range in Kyrgyzstan. We'll be camping, staying in yurts, with no electricity or running water. I just think there are so few places left where you can have that experience. My bucket list trip Papua New Guinea: among the countries on Ashley's list. I genuinely want to travel to every country in the world in my lifetime. Every country is on my bucket list. Every year, I try to go to a few countries I haven't been to before. That's how I'm almost at 60 countries.
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘No one is going to cheer louder for Irish design than Irish people', says creator of Ireland's first Fashion Week
Ashley McDonnell (31), who hails from Craughwell, Co Galway, said the country's first couture fashion week – being held in Dublin from October 6 to 10 – will draw from her experience with French and Irish luxury brands. 'I want to make sure that we're able to bring as much of the public into this experience as possible,' Ms McDonnell said. 'We'll be doing reruns after most of the main shows, which will allow members of the public to buy tickets to come to the shows. 'Prices for matinees for example would be noticeably lower,' she added. The former Smurfit Business School and HEC Paris graduate, is now a director with luxury beauty brand Puig, and wants to bring her own experience to Fashion Week. 'Designers and creatives in Ireland don't always have access to the culture and education that designers in the UK, France, and other countries may have, so it's important to keep things as accessible as possible,' she said. 'As an Irish person who's had this very fortunate international experience, I feel an obligation to bring as much of that back as possible during Ireland Fashion Week.' Ireland Fashion week will open and close in the nation's capital, but shows will be outsourced across various counties. 'We want to make sure, not only are we able to engage with local communities and local designers, but that we're also able to showcase the beauty of Ireland as an island, not just what's happening in Dublin,' Ms McDonnell said. New designers will be able to submit their works to be featured in one of seven shows throughout the week, across Flagship, Spotlight, Graduate and Independent and Emerging designer shows. The three flagship shows will have various themes such as Irish heritage, modern heritage and contemporary design. The collections featured in the smaller 'spotlight shows' will draw from sportswear and streetwear trends. The penultimate and final shows will be graduate shows inspired by the wonders of the Irish sea and an understanding of Irish roots. 'The most important part of a runway is first and foremost, the collection. What you actually see coming down the runway. That needs to have that wow effect,' Ms McDonnell said. 'But if you don't have an equally strong creative team made up of brilliant photographers and videographers, you're going to really limit yourselves on how you're able to communicate that show.' She said the final element needed to ignite the chemistry on a runway is brought by attendees. 'Every single show is going to have a curated guest list that, one, reflects the actual ethos of the designer that's showcasing,' she said. 'Two, [it] is going to help amplify the story and the collection through reaching their audience. Each designer is going to be very unique, so it's really important for us that we have a different attendee list per show as well.' Ms McDonnell credits a noticeable Irish fashion renaissance to 'the success of individual Irish designs and people [like herself] who continue to shout about it'. 'Jessica Livett and Anne O'Shea are two women that really champion Irish design. We don't stop talking about Irish designers, we'll constantly wear Irish designs and promote them as best as we can,' she said. 'It's only when people in Ireland become advocates for Irish design that it'll become something recognised internationally as well.' The entrepreneur's decision to launch herself into this venture came from the realisation that no amount of effort put into showcasing Irish design would bear fruit if people in Ireland were not familiar enough with them to advocate for them internationally. 'No one is going to cheer louder for Irish design than Irish people who are in Ireland and Irish people living abroad,' Ms McDonnell said. With this in mind, she chose those who cheer the loudest for Irish fashion as members of the board and jury, including stylist Zeda, former Irish Independent Fashion editor Bairbre Power, designer Aoife McNamara, and lead singer of Picture This, Ryan Hennessy. 'I paid close attention to the gaps I had in knowledge, experiences and expertise,' Ms McDonnell said. 'I have been in the business world of luxury for quite some time now, and one of the most important things is your board.' Running until May 23, established or emerging Irish designers, and students of design, are urged to apply for Ireland Fashion Week shows. To anyone who might still be unsure of whether to apply and have their works walk down the national runway come October, Ms McDonnell added: 'Just apply. We're going to give you all of the resources, help and support necessary to create something absolutely spectacular.'
