Irish America celebrated its 2018 Power Women in New York this week with the induction of six phenomenal leaders of business, journalism, and politics.
Irish America magazine inducted six industry leaders to the 2018 Power Women at an electric breakfast at the Bank of Ireland Startlab in Manhattan on May 17. The inductees included New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Bloomberg TV’s Vonnie Quinn, American Express Travel’s Audrey Hendley, Bloomingdale’s special advisor Anne Keating, Lafayette 148 CEO and co-founder Deirdre Quinn, and Forbes CMO Network editor Jennifer Rooney, who all spoke candidly on the influence of their Irish heritage. (See videos below.)
The event was part of a two-day showcase of Irish designers hosted by WearingIrish, a movement that champions Irish design and seeks to bring Irish creativity to the world stage. The showcase highlighted the work of 10 winning designers out of a pool of over 170 applicants, including Alison Conneely, known for her modern designs with traditional Irish fabrics like Donegal tweed and Connemara lace.
WearingIrish was founded in 2016 by inaugural Top 50 Power Women honoree Margaret Molloy, who sought to create a social media hashtag that would promote Irish designers during the month of March. Since then, the modest hashtag has grown into a movement that diligently works to connect budding Irish designers with American entrepreneurs, clients, and potential partners.
“I’m a marketer. What do marketers do? We tell the stories of makers. Two years ago, I discovered an untold story. Designers across the island of Ireland are producing world-class fashion, yet few people outside Ireland can name an Ireland-based designer. WearingIrish was created to change that,” Molloy said at the event.
“Integral to the marketing profession is the notion of branding. And what does the brand Ireland stand for? And I’d like to offer as a brand marketer a suggestion this morning. I very truly believe that when we promote our designers, that’s the message. Every designer wins, every business person wins, every Irish person wins. Because when we promote Ireland as a nation of makers, the positive economic externalities that accrue to the entire economy are tremendous.”
Other designers at the showcase included Bláithín Ennis, known for her unconventional jewelry that combines metalwork with fine nylon to create unique accessories, and De Bruir, a leather designer from Ireland’s horse country who combines traditional materials with modern detailing in leather goods and apparel.
To read more about the designers and WearingIrish, click here.
Scroll down to watch the inductee speeches.
MAUREEN MITCHELL
Did you know Maureen Mitchell’s grandmother taught her how to knit Aran sweaters? #wearingirish #powerwomen #mna50 @Wearing_Irish pic.twitter.com/9p2MzjJylQ
— Irish America (@irishamerica) May 17, 2018
VONNIE QUINN
Wearing a dress by her cousin, the late Irish designer Vonnie Reynolds, and a curragh shaped necklace, @BloombergTV’s @VonnieQuinn discusses her Irish roots at the #mna50 @Wearing_Irish showcase in #nyc #powerwomen pic.twitter.com/HVVJElnD3Q
— Irish America (@irishamerica) May 17, 2018
ANNE KEATING
When @Bloomingdales advisor @annelk2’s Tyrone great-grandfather came to America, he set up shop as a shirtmaker in #NYC “Now I guess that was the beginning of my retail career” #mna50 #powerwomen #wearingirish @Wearing_Irish pic.twitter.com/MeAQXl90Ns
— Irish America (@irishamerica) May 17, 2018
AUDREY HENDLEY
When @AudreyHendley arrived in the US in 1989 she had $300 in her pocket and stayed at the YMCA on 34th St. Now she runs @AmericanExpress travel and leisure #mna50 #powerwomen #wearingirish @Wearing_Irish pic.twitter.com/jCMEIIVP3E
— Irish America (@irishamerica) May 17, 2018
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL
Hear from @LtGovHochulNY @Wearing_Irish showcase and Irish America #mna50 #powerwomen #wearingirish pic.twitter.com/KTpRsRTy3j
— Irish America (@irishamerica) May 17, 2018
More from @LtGovHochulNY’s speech at Irish America’s #Mna50 #PowerWomen breakfast @Wearing_Irish showcase in #NYC pic.twitter.com/FvehGSR9vk
— Irish America (@irishamerica) May 17, 2018
JENNY ROONEY
Forbes CMO Network editor @Jenny_Rooney says she appreciates “the responsibility that I feel I have as a woman in business to support, inspire and motivate the next generation and the current generation of female leaders just as they do for me” @wearing_irish #mna50 #powerwomen pic.twitter.com/6jIuK01iJJ
— Irish America (@irishamerica) May 17, 2018
DEIRDRE QUINN
Co-founder and CEO Deirdre Quinn, daughter of Northern Irish immigrants, founded @Lafayette148NY with a desk and a phone. Now she has more than 2,000 employees leading one of #NYC’s most luxurious fashion houses #mna50 #powerwomen @Wearing_Irish pic.twitter.com/uRVW8UH5vD
— Irish America (@irishamerica)
https://twitter.com/irishamerica/status/1001488756837371905http://
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Click here to view the inaugural Irish America Top 50 Power Women.
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