Ashley McDonnell: the mind behind Ireland Fashion Week

If you have even the slightest interest in fashion, tech or luxury, there’s no way you haven't heard her name yet.

Ashley McDonnell is not just the founder of Ireland Fashion Week.
She’s the reason why the words "Irish" and "fashion" are about to start appearing together in every global conversation.

A journey built on ambition (and a lot of hard work)

Ashley’s story didn’t start with Ireland Fashion Week.
It started years ago, with a dream that blended luxury, technology, and a love for all things creative.

After completing four degrees between Ireland and France, including HEC Paris and DCU, she landed her first major role at LVMH Group in Paris.
From there, she moved to Christian Dior, where she worked on international digital projects, before taking a leap into tech by joining Google.
Later, she returned to luxury at PUIG, where she now helps drive the global digital and e-commerce strategies of brands like Paco Rabanne, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Carolina Herrera.

Somewhere along the way, she noticed a gap. Luxury and tech were growing, but not connecting. So she launched her own project: Tech Powered Luxury, a podcast, a course, a movement in itself.
Oh, and did we mention she also lectures at top business schools, like HEC Paris?

Ashley isn’t just part of the luxury conversation. She’s shaping it.

Why Ireland Fashion Week?

Because no one else was doing it.
Ashley saw the gap again.
Ireland has the talent, the creativity, the energy. What was missing was a platform big enough to show it to the world.

With over €1 million invested into Ireland Fashion Week, her mission is crystal clear: give Irish designers, brands and creatives the chance to take their place on the global stage, without having to leave home to be seen.

She’s already helping Irish designers break into New York, Paris and even the metaverse.
Now, she’s building something right here that will last.

More than a founder. A force for the future.

Ashley McDonnell believes that personal development is everything. That growth, education and well-being are the real game-changers, not just in fashion but in life.

And when you look at her story, you get it.
She’s living proof that ambition, creativity and hard work can open doors, and when they don’t, you can just build your own.

Ireland Fashion Week isn’t just a fashion event.
It’s a new beginning.
And it’s happening because people like Ashley refused to wait for permission.