“I love to work with the person; I always try to work with their character, with their personality, to enhance that and to elevate it rather than change it.”
Words by Leigh Maynard. Portrait by David Wall.
It's September, I climb the stairs to the top floor of a lofty studio in the heart of Dublin's Temple Bar district. I’m here to meet Aisling Farinella, the stylist, creative director, and Consulting Fashion Editor of Irish Tatler. At the final step, I’m greeted by a room that feels as cosy as it is inspiring. Sunlight streams through the windows, illuminating beautifully designed furniture and a wall above Aisling's desk adorned with inspirational imagery. Tucked away here, it’s easy to see why this place is perfect for nurturing creativity.
Aisling is also at the top of her game, holding a prominent position within the fashion community. Her boundless energy for fashion is evident –– not only in her work with Irish Tatler and other styling projects but also in her roles as course lead for Fashion Communication at NCAD and a board member of the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI).
So fully immersed in the fashion world, is Aisling that it’s surprising to learn that she originally planned to pursue a completely different path. “I didn't come to fashion [through] education; I studied film – I have a masters in cinema,” Aisling shares. “An amazing photographer, Gordon Goodwin, set out here doing a wardrobe-style shoot with me. [At that time], there were very few stylists in Dublin, and I wasn’t connected to [the] fashion scene. I had no idea what I was doing. I borrowed clothes from some wardrobe costume contacts and independent stores from people I knew around town. [We] did a shoot, and I just loved it.”
Aisling's office, with its carefully curated montage of imagery, is a wellspring of inspiration, but she also explains that her creativity is deeply rooted in her heritage –– the Italian sense of family and the vibrant city environment in Dublin. “I think the influence [of heritage] is something you understand with time. It's not something you set out to do, but when you're being creative, you're putting yourself into your work, and everything you've experienced [comes with you]. I'm Irish-Sicilian. My dad is from Sicily, and my mum is Irish. The Sicilian part [of me] is a big influence – it's [about] family, care for materials, and [an] appreciation [for] beauty. And then [there’s] Dublin, which is all about community, culture, and the people you grew up with – the skateboarding environment and [the energy of] the city. I was born and raised in Dublin, and I [feel] very connected to it. I bring [so many] elements of my life here into my work.”
Aisling’s connection with Irish Tatler began early in her styling career, and over the years, she has witnessed significant changes in the publication. “It's over 100 years old. It has quite a legacy, but it's been through several publishers and has [evolved] many times,” she explains. “Right now, it’s a [quarterly print] supplement to the Sunday Business Post, connecting fashion, lifestyle, culture, and design. It's a very different magazine from what it started as, and I think it's great now. It's very Irish, but it's also internationally focused.”
Aisling has long believed that Ireland needs more fashion-focused publications, which lead her to create Thread magazine. Running from 2011 to 2018, it celebrated both emerging and established fashion talent. “Magazines were all definitely more commercial [at the time],” Aisling explains. “We started [Thread] to address that gap, at a time when people weren't embracing Irish identity the way [they] do now. [Today], so many people who work in fashion are proud to say they're Irish and how much their heritage connects to their work. It's great [to see] how fashion can showcase Ireland on a global stage.”
That said, Aisling feels there's still room for improvement closer to home. “There should be more support and platforms. Fashion hasn't [always] been valued in Irish culture. In Dublin, we have a limited number of independent stores. We're still educating people [on] the importance of [supporting them] and the [unique] personality [they bring] to the city.”
Through her work with the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI), Aisling is actively working to drive positive change in the industry. “It's about bringing people together and advocating for Irish design to [the] government. I came on board to enhance the [focus on] fashion – not just [for its] commercial or economic [potential] – but also for the cultural value it [brings] to our society.”
Aisling is currently gearing up for a busy Irish Design Week. “In November, the IDI, in collaboration with the National College of Art and Design, is bringing over Colm Dillane of KidSuper as a keynote guest speaker. I'm also about to [return]to NCAD to teach; we’ve launched a professional diploma in Fashion Communication. [On top of that], I’m working on various styling projects, and the next issue of Irish Tatler is coming out soon. Everything is happening!”
Aisling Farinella is indeed, incredibly busy – but it’s clear she wouldn't have it any other way.
This Industry Voice is part of The Britannia & Éire Issue. Purchase your copy here.
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