Irish whiskey meets Donegal-based Ukrainian design at a Celtic location

Donegal-based designer Karyna Prenko collaborates with Irish Women’s Whiskey labels, creating a very stylish “Show Stopping” photo op, shot by Italian photographer Paolo Furlan at The Celtic Whiskey Shop & Wines on the Green.

It was a 6am Sunday morning start for MarieAnn McLoughlin-Dwyer (Co-Founder of Maisy Mc Loughlin’s Irish Whiskey & Blends & Botanics Magazine) and Karyna Prenko (Founder of The Sewing Room located in Donegal Town) as they set off from Karyna’s Donegal fashion studio. 

Destination? The Celtic Whiskey Shop, Dublin. Mission? A photo shoot to bring two creative and bespoke craft industries together; that is…Ukrainian Fashion Design & Irish Whiskey crafted by women.

Karyna, the daughter of a hard-working farming woman, studied fashion design in her native country, Ukraine, rising quickly through the ranks of seamstress to qualify within her chosen field of pattern construction, garment design and tailoring. This was an apprenticeship that would take her on a journey through life, in more ways than one.

“As bombs came closer to my home every day, I made the difficult decision to leave my country. It was a heartbreaking move from my Mother, my family and my home. But I wanted a safer life for Valeriia, my daughter, and so I left Ukraine for Ireland”, said Karyna. 

“Ultimately, my decision to move to Ireland was influenced by my close friends Yulia and her husband Oleg. They strongly encouraged me to evacuate and come to Ireland. Their unwavering support and determination became the driving force behind this life-changing move. My daughter Valeriia and I will always be deeply grateful to them. It is thanks to Yulia and Oleg that we now live in the peaceful safety of beautiful Ireland.”

When MarieAnn and Karyna first met in Donegal, an instant commonality was obvious to both! MarieAnn, the granddaughter of a seamstress, had named her Irish Whiskey label “Maisy Mc Loughlin” after her industrious Dublin grandmother. She felt at home chatting with Karyna about fabrics, the hours of labour and the creativity that goes into tailoring, mending and designing. Both women in business found common ground within a familiar & noble skill set that has evolved and literally grown within the hands of seamstresses and female designers for decades.

But hard work, collaboration and creativity are heading in a very positive direction for both ladies. Maisy Mc Loughin’s Irish Whiskey (a Great Northern Distillery blended expression) is being noted on the “Irish Whiskey Scene”. At 40% ABV, with flavours of pear, apple and vanilla, this accessible & elegant young Whiskey (matured within bourbon casks) is now stocked by Ally Alpine on the shelves of the iconic Celtic Whiskey Shop, situated along Dublin’s Dawson Street.

Okksana Chahochkina, Valeriia Prenko, and Karyna Prenko at the Celtic Whiskey Shop, Dawson Street Dublin- Whiskey by Tipperary Boutique Distillery, Image by Maisy Mc Loughlin.

Keeping the theme firmly focused on “Women in Whiskey & Fashion Design”, photographer Paolo Furlan carefully set the scene within the Celtic Whiskey Shop interior. A traditional shop interior where the most beautiful backdrop of fine wines, aged whiskey, old wooden barrels & solid mahogany shelves complemented the myriad of colours and textures on show, creating a stunning array of images to capture. Each dress is aesthetically beautiful to the camera and ultra-captivating. A keen eye for lighting & movement, Paolo spotted another standout whiskey expression, perfectly fitting for the photo shoot. This time, he selected from the award-winning Tipperary Boutique Distillery, adding a graceful pairing with several of Karyna’s gowns.. “Watershed Irish Whiskey” (also available on the shelves of The Celtic Whiskey Shop) is a single malt whiskey and the first whiskey to be cut to 47% with water from Ballindoney Farm outside Clonmel. It was a standout (female distillery sourced) choice that complemented both Karyna’s gown “Noire”, and her vibrant “Fuchsia” ballgown..

Whiskey, somewhat like classic evening gown design, reaffirms the spirit and capabilities that resourceful women demonstrate using their creative talents, honed craft set and resource enabling & utilising bold choices, allowing space for expression within taste, colour, and appearance. Attention must be paid to independent craftswomen, whether they use Grain or Gazar. It is said that unleashed imagination by both distillers and designers interrupts (in the most positive way) industries, finding new paths and audiences.

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Coco Chanel once said, “I only drink Champagne when I’m in love, and when I am not” Perhaps this could also be true in celebration of the ever-evolving manifestation of Irish Whiskey creation. Perhaps we must strive to see love and beauty & its potential to inspire, as something that must never be quelled. In beauty, there lies the power of resilience and aspiration for survival. We must honour any woman’s ability to create beauty within perilous times. Perhaps, given these times, we should note that women in design, particularly one woman in design, may have been driven from her land, but will never be driven from her innate ability to thrive and create.

All gowns are available to rent or purchase from The Sewing Room, Unit 7, Donegal Shopping Centre.