Sinéad O’Dwyer: “Being inclusive is good for mental health”
First presented in Copenhagen as the winner of the Zalando Visionary Award 2024, the Irish designer unveiled her Spring-Summer 2025 collection, entitled Everything opens to touch.
Zalando Visionary Award -winning young designer Sinéad O'Dwyer stands out from her peers with her inclusive approach to fashion . Her desirable yet innovative label focuses on design that celebrates all body types , shapes and genders. L'OFFICIEL spoke to the young woman, whose eponymous brand is only going from strength to strength.
L'OFFICIEL: Your brand is particularly known for your models of different sizes. Why is it important to be more and more inclusive in fashion?
Sinéad O'Dwyer: It's really important to create fashion for everyone. The luxury industry has a huge impact on everyone. Even if you can't afford luxury, it's the industry that gives us a certain idea of beauty, fashion, a body, and therefore our body. For the sake of our mental health, I think it's important to represent all body types, all backgrounds, and to be completely inclusive in your approach.
LO: You are a Visionary Award winner. What is your connection with Zalando?
SOD: A friend introduced me to the unique concept behind the Zalando Visionary Award, which supports talents who are trying to change the fashion system, who go beyond the pre-established norms. That's how I ended up submitting my application, and I'm so happy to have been chosen as a winner. It's a recognition, a validation from Zalando that I'm very proud of and that touched me enormously.
LO: Do your Irish roots influence your designs?
SOD: Most of my collections are inspired by a kind of nostalgia, memories of the past, of my adolescence, therefore closely linked to Ireland. Let's take for example my most recent collection: the shoe laces are taken from those of Irish dancing shoes. Beyond the simple design, I also work with Irish artists for the music of my shows.
LO: If you had to describe your brand style in 3 words?
SOD: Sexy, structured, playful.
LO: What are your upcoming projects?
SOD: My closest major event will be my show at London Fashion Week next September.
