Lynsey McGarrigle officially launched her label, Haus of MoHawk, in 2016 and she continues to turn heads in one of the most competitive industries. Growing up, however, Lynsey’s passion for fashion came at a cost.
“My mother didn’t have a decent pair of curtains until I gained a bit more sense. She went shopping one day and I decided that Barbie needed a new autumn-winter wardrobe and that the fabric would be her lounge curtains. Mummy couldn’t have a decent pair of floor-length curtains because I was always at them with the scissors,” says Lynsey.
Modelling Days
Moving on from her days of cutting curtains, Lynsey spent a number of years working as a model. An experience that proved to be valuable.
“I modelled from the age of 15. Moving in those circles made the contacts very easy to obtain. You got to work with the photographers and the stylists, so you get to see things from their point of view,” says Lynsey.
Lynsey was Miss Tyrone 2011 and Miss United Nations Ireland. She travelled to Jamaica for the international pageant, but her designing aspirations were apparent as she remained committed to her studies.
“I remember sitting outside my apartment sketching. Miss Canada asked what I was doing. I told her: ‘I’m sketching, I am here for a couple of weeks and my course is still going on. I need to get the work done’,” says Lynsey.
“When you’re trying to get through education you have to make things a priority.
Five years later I am dressing an international candidate for the pageant. That dream that I had as an 18-year-old is a reality now.
Haus of MoHawk
Lynsey graduated from North West Regional College Derry in 2012, with a distinction in both her foundation degree in Art and Design, and a Higher National Diploma in Fashion and Textile Design.
“I was accepted to my degree course, but I just wanted to get involved in the industry. I thought let’s try, if it fails it fails, but I will never know unless I jump in,” says Lynsey.
“The ultimate goal was to have my own brand and to be designing what I love for people at a reasonable price. I see the brand being for the people, rather than as something that is extortionate and unattainable.”
Lynsey admits that starting off was challenging and that she was prone to doubts.
“The first couple of years were difficult. There were times when you didn’t know if this was going to be the right decision, but the only way you learn is by making mistakes. I know I have made plenty, but it has all been for the greater good.”
Evening gown for Miss World Ireland.Customer dedication has a huge part to play in the success of Lynsey’s label and on more than one occasion she has personally delivered items.
“I am more than happy to deliver products because I respect the fact that people spend their hard-earned money on Haus of MoHawk, and I want to provide them with a flawless service,” says Lynsey.
“We have had clients flying out of Belfast airport and I have jumped in the car and drove to Belfast to give them their dress. Haus of MoHawk is about going that extra mile and you get a person’s face who stands by what they say.”
Haus of MoHawk.Style from Strabane
When someone says the word fashion you think of London, Paris, and Milan. Lynsey, however, is bringing Strabane into the equation.
“I come from a town that I am very proud of, a town with a very hard work ethic and with great people who have supported me,” says Lynsey.
“I still live in Strabane. My studio is a log cabin that we built at the back of the house, previous to that I was working out of a bedroom.”
Haus of MoHawk’s client list proves that being in Strabane does not limit the business.
“I have clients in Canada, America, Abu Dhabi and South of France. I dressed Miss World Ireland for the international pageant, which took place in South Africa, and I will be dressing Miss Continental Ireland for Sri Lanka,” says Lynsey.
“It is lovely to be part of the glitz and the glamour, because the actual work itself is far from glamorous. It’s long hours, days where you are constantly working and there is not one bit of make up on, and the hair is tied on top of the head. It’s just about rolling up the sleeves and getting the job done in time.”
London Fashion Week
Lynsey showcased her collections during two seasons at London fashion week, which opened her eyes to the industry.
“It was great to get the other designers’ experience. They actually said to me: ‘Who are you modelling for?’ I told them I was a designer and they asked: ‘How are you a designer, you are only a baby?’” says Lynsey.
“A lot of designers were in their late 30s or early 40s. People would say that you won’t make it in the industry until you’re 30.”
Lynsey’s collection sold out at the event, but she admits that she was sheepish about the experience the first time round.
“The first season I was very unsure what to do. The second season I came full guns blazing, because I knew what was expected of me,” says Lynsey.
“That weekend I slept about five hours because you are waiting for models to fly in from New York.
“Their show ends on Friday evening, so they might not arrive until one in the morning and then you have to do a fitting. After that you are crawling to bed to get back up at an ungodly hour to start the day.”
Will Smith
Lynsey doesn’t believe in luck, because everything that she has achieved is the result of hard work.
“You are either going to graft or you are going to get left behind. There is a great video on YouTube that I take a lot of inspiration from. It’s of Will Smith discussing The Alchemist. The thing that he instils from the book, which is something that my father always instilled in me, is that you will never out work the worker,” says Lynsey.
“I will not be outworked, if you have the work ethic anything is possible because you are determined to achieve it,” she says.
Next to Will Smith, Lynsey admires Coco Chanel.
“I love Coco Chanel because of her revolutionary impact on the industry. She brought on feminism and put women in trousers, which was against everything of that era. There was such a greater message, it wasn’t just fashion,” says Lynsey.
Haus of MoHawk.Looking ahead – 2018
The year 2018 is packed with plans for Haus of MoHawk. The website is currently under reconstruction and there are a few surprises in store.
“We are moving the brand towards manufacturing, getting in through Ireland and the UK with a few other things up our sleeves. Between that and having my wonderful clients booked in for the year, it’s going to be fun,” says Lynsey.
“The growth of the business within the space of just over two years has been incredible.
“It has been a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t change a second. Fall down 10 times, but get up the 11th.” CL
To view Lynsey’s collections, which range from everyday to occasion wear, or to make an order, visit Haus of MoHawk Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HausOfMoHawk/
Read more:
Blush Rush
Dress for success
Lynsey McGarrigle officially launched her label, Haus of MoHawk, in 2016 and she continues to turn heads in one of the most competitive industries. Growing up, however, Lynsey’s passion for fashion came at a cost.
“My mother didn’t have a decent pair of curtains until I gained a bit more sense. She went shopping one day and I decided that Barbie needed a new autumn-winter wardrobe and that the fabric would be her lounge curtains. Mummy couldn’t have a decent pair of floor-length curtains because I was always at them with the scissors,” says Lynsey.
Modelling Days
Moving on from her days of cutting curtains, Lynsey spent a number of years working as a model. An experience that proved to be valuable.
“I modelled from the age of 15. Moving in those circles made the contacts very easy to obtain. You got to work with the photographers and the stylists, so you get to see things from their point of view,” says Lynsey.
Lynsey was Miss Tyrone 2011 and Miss United Nations Ireland. She travelled to Jamaica for the international pageant, but her designing aspirations were apparent as she remained committed to her studies.
“I remember sitting outside my apartment sketching. Miss Canada asked what I was doing. I told her: ‘I’m sketching, I am here for a couple of weeks and my course is still going on. I need to get the work done’,” says Lynsey.
“When you’re trying to get through education you have to make things a priority.
Five years later I am dressing an international candidate for the pageant. That dream that I had as an 18-year-old is a reality now.
Haus of MoHawk
Lynsey graduated from North West Regional College Derry in 2012, with a distinction in both her foundation degree in Art and Design, and a Higher National Diploma in Fashion and Textile Design.
“I was accepted to my degree course, but I just wanted to get involved in the industry. I thought let’s try, if it fails it fails, but I will never know unless I jump in,” says Lynsey.
“The ultimate goal was to have my own brand and to be designing what I love for people at a reasonable price. I see the brand being for the people, rather than as something that is extortionate and unattainable.”
Lynsey admits that starting off was challenging and that she was prone to doubts.
“The first couple of years were difficult. There were times when you didn’t know if this was going to be the right decision, but the only way you learn is by making mistakes. I know I have made plenty, but it has all been for the greater good.”
Evening gown for Miss World Ireland.Customer dedication has a huge part to play in the success of Lynsey’s label and on more than one occasion she has personally delivered items.
“I am more than happy to deliver products because I respect the fact that people spend their hard-earned money on Haus of MoHawk, and I want to provide them with a flawless service,” says Lynsey.
“We have had clients flying out of Belfast airport and I have jumped in the car and drove to Belfast to give them their dress. Haus of MoHawk is about going that extra mile and you get a person’s face who stands by what they say.”
Haus of MoHawk.Style from Strabane
When someone says the word fashion you think of London, Paris, and Milan. Lynsey, however, is bringing Strabane into the equation.
“I come from a town that I am very proud of, a town with a very hard work ethic and with great people who have supported me,” says Lynsey.
“I still live in Strabane. My studio is a log cabin that we built at the back of the house, previous to that I was working out of a bedroom.”
Haus of MoHawk’s client list proves that being in Strabane does not limit the business.
“I have clients in Canada, America, Abu Dhabi and South of France. I dressed Miss World Ireland for the international pageant, which took place in South Africa, and I will be dressing Miss Continental Ireland for Sri Lanka,” says Lynsey.
“It is lovely to be part of the glitz and the glamour, because the actual work itself is far from glamorous. It’s long hours, days where you are constantly working and there is not one bit of make up on, and the hair is tied on top of the head. It’s just about rolling up the sleeves and getting the job done in time.”
London Fashion Week
Lynsey showcased her collections during two seasons at London fashion week, which opened her eyes to the industry.
“It was great to get the other designers’ experience. They actually said to me: ‘Who are you modelling for?’ I told them I was a designer and they asked: ‘How are you a designer, you are only a baby?’” says Lynsey.
“A lot of designers were in their late 30s or early 40s. People would say that you won’t make it in the industry until you’re 30.”
Lynsey’s collection sold out at the event, but she admits that she was sheepish about the experience the first time round.
“The first season I was very unsure what to do. The second season I came full guns blazing, because I knew what was expected of me,” says Lynsey.
“That weekend I slept about five hours because you are waiting for models to fly in from New York.
“Their show ends on Friday evening, so they might not arrive until one in the morning and then you have to do a fitting. After that you are crawling to bed to get back up at an ungodly hour to start the day.”
Will Smith
Lynsey doesn’t believe in luck, because everything that she has achieved is the result of hard work.
“You are either going to graft or you are going to get left behind. There is a great video on YouTube that I take a lot of inspiration from. It’s of Will Smith discussing The Alchemist. The thing that he instils from the book, which is something that my father always instilled in me, is that you will never out work the worker,” says Lynsey.
“I will not be outworked, if you have the work ethic anything is possible because you are determined to achieve it,” she says.
Next to Will Smith, Lynsey admires Coco Chanel.
“I love Coco Chanel because of her revolutionary impact on the industry. She brought on feminism and put women in trousers, which was against everything of that era. There was such a greater message, it wasn’t just fashion,” says Lynsey.
Haus of MoHawk.Looking ahead – 2018
The year 2018 is packed with plans for Haus of MoHawk. The website is currently under reconstruction and there are a few surprises in store.
“We are moving the brand towards manufacturing, getting in through Ireland and the UK with a few other things up our sleeves. Between that and having my wonderful clients booked in for the year, it’s going to be fun,” says Lynsey.
“The growth of the business within the space of just over two years has been incredible.
“It has been a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t change a second. Fall down 10 times, but get up the 11th.” CL
To view Lynsey’s collections, which range from everyday to occasion wear, or to make an order, visit Haus of MoHawk Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HausOfMoHawk/
Read more:
Blush Rush
Dress for success
SHARING OPTIONS