The Dundalk-based designer was thrilled to bits when her name was called out at the glamourous awards ceremony in at the beginning of the month.
“There were some really great designers on the line-up of finalists and I was delighted to be among them so to win was a complete shock!”
Caroline, who grew up in Drogheda, studied print and textiles at the National College of Art and design.
“I’ve worked in the fashion industry for twenty years, working for brands in New York, London and Australia.”
She returned to Ireland with her husband-to-be Fra Martin, settling in his native Dundalk.
“My Dad is from Vincent Avenue so I do feel half Dundalk and then I married a Dundalk man so I’m definitely a Dundalk wannabee,” she laughs.
On her return to Ireland, Caroline worked a freelance designer for a number of designer and high street brands.
“It suited me while I was looking after the kids but then I decided in 2019 I wanted to do my own thing, to start designing in my own name.”
“I started to get the ball rolling, had a website set up and the Covid happened.”
As the world ground to a halt, Caroline took refuge in the studio of her home in Medebawn,
She started doing floral paintings and shared them on social media, building up a huge following on Instagram.
“That really helped me and my customers grew through Instagram.”
Her vibrant colourful floral paintings were just what people were looking for during that traumatic time.
“I love painting flowers and designing from nature. It really inspires me – I just can’t get away from the colours and patterns.”
After initially sharing her paintings on Instagram, Caroline then tipped her toes into the world of fashion, launching a collection of luxury silk scarves.
“I started with the scarves three years ago and people seemed to love them.”
She then followed these up with a simple dress.
“The more I design, the more ideas I get. I said I’d love to do a long dress that would keep the flowing nature of the scarves, something that would flow.”
After that came kimonos and this year she created some lovely long elegant skirts, trousers and tops.
Her elegant floral creations have proven very popular with customers looking for something different that will take them from formal events like weddings to holidays.
For the third year in a row she did an exclusive collection for Brown Thomas’ Create and she also took part in the Arc fashion show in aid of the cancer support group.
Her work has been featured by Council of Irish Fashion Designers and the Design and Craft Council of Ireland at events at Bloom and the Cashel Palace Hotel. She also won the Creative brand champion award at the Network Louth Awards in June.
“I’m delighted that my work is now stocked in Fabiani boutique in Co Longford as part of a showcase 16 Irish designers.“
“This year has been so busy. I went to Mexico with the Irish embassy back in February for St Brigid’s day and I’m hoping to be going further afield next year, spreading my wings into new markets.”
Alongside her fashion creations, she has also produced blankets and cushions and a range of stationary and calendars.
Her latest project sees her bringing out a new range of floral print aprons, tea cosies, napkins and table runners just in time for Christmas.