From Paris to Portlaoise - Fashion designer Valérie Mahé shares her fascinating story

From designing jewellery in Paris to carving out a new business in Laois during the pandemic, high-end French dressmaker and designer Valérie Mahé has a fascinating story to tell.

Having studied and worked for luxury designers in Paris, Valérie now works in Portlaoise, producing stunning creations and advising clients through her business ‘What to Wear’.

“I have always had a love for fashion, my mother first taught me to sew when I was four years of age,” Valérie said. 

“By eight I was using my grandmother’s sewing machine, and at twelve, my parents and granny were buying me fabrics and I was making my own clothes. I always had an idea in my mind of what I wanted to wear,” Valérie laughed.

“Like many others at the time, we didn’t have the money to buy the most fashionable of clothes- but in my own mind, that didn’t stop me from wearing them!”.

Valérie went on to study jewellery making in Paris, and her talent shone in Parisian circles. At seventeen, the designer was hired to work with a high end jewellery designer and crafter in the city.

“I worked with this designer for a while, before I went on to study dressmaking in the Paris Chamber of Commerce,” Valérie said. “I then spent my time designing dresses and crafting collections.”

Fashion designer Valérie Mahé

With over 25 years in the industry under her (fashionable) belt, the designer first came to Laois in 1994 to oversee the design and model making process in Portarlington’s Avon factory.

“I would fly in and out of Paris, and I fell in love with Ireland. When I was offered an on-site contract position, I jumped at the chance,” she said.

Valérie worked here until the factory’s closure in 2000, when she then opened her own bridal dress making business. This business thrived for 13 years, until the birth of her first son saw Valérie opt for a regular nine-to-five job, working as a seamstress for a Stradbally bridal shop on the side.

Like many others trapped indoors during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ms Mahé established her own lock-down project- the ‘What to Wear’ boutique and style architect business.

“Before the pandemic, I was going through a lot with my health, on top of being a mother,” Valérie explained.

“Each morning, I had five minutes to get ready and dressed for work. I would quickly grab things from my wardrobe, and to my surprise I always received compliments on my outfits, even on days where I put little thought into it,” Valérie marvelled.

“I realised I had subconsciously developed a method for picking clothes out of my wardrobe, and still looking stylish with minimal effort. I wrote my first book, ‘What to Wear’, to teach other people my system,” she said.

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Valérie’s online boutique and styling service offers women the chance to achieve the wardrobe of their dreams.

“I design and produce my own clothing collections, but I also go to women’s houses when they need my help with styling,” she said.

“I will work with them as a personal shopper and reorganise their wardrobes, and I will pick out items that they should wear more items. The service pairs very well with the styling book, guides and course I have on the What to Wear website,” Valerie highlighted.

Valérie’s collections feature stunning handpainted items, crafted by the designer herself.

“My collections are sustainable and made with Irish materials, I recently released my Irish linen collection,” she said.

“After my illness, I became allergic to synthetic fabrics. It opened my eyes to the harms that certain clothing can have on your health and living, not just on the planet. I want this to be seen in my designs, that can be catered for everyone,” Valerie gushed.

In a fast fashion world, each of Valérie’s creations is carefully crafted, embracing slow fashion and quality over quantity.
The designer’s collection, ‘Empowered’, features hand painted flowers representing strength, on sustainability sourced and hypoallergenic fabrics.

“I don’t believe in mass production, just timeless styles that are made with care,” she said.