Helen James

Helen James has a talent for creating stunning textile prints. She also has a way with flattering obi sashes and scarves. After completing a one-year foundation course in Art at Dun Laoghaire College and graduating in textiles from NCAD, Helen left Dublin to pursue her career prospects in New York.

“When I finished college I thought, I am never going to do that,” she recalls. “I was completely disillusioned." In New York, she worked with Donna Karen and Levis Helen. She continued to paint however, a passion that fuelled a creative breakthrough. When Donna Karen bought three of Helen’s prints and subsequently commissioned her to design a line of scarves, she realised the potential in bringing the two disciplines together.

“I hated working for a designer where you were expected to give every ounce of blood for no money, just for the prestige of working for a big name,” she says. “I wanted to develop a product using my prints so I started with the scarves and then progressed onto the sashes. The key to success is to learn to take rejection the right way and to find that place where you are happy with what you’re doing.”

Following the birth of her first child four years ago, Helen has been developing a new line of baby shoes and blankets. With celebrity mothers such as Kate Moss buying from her collection, it won’t be long before Helen’s unique booties are seen on other stars’ offspring.

“I make sashes that match the baby shoes; it’s a great baby shower gift,” she says. “The sashes are fantastic for hiding that little tummy after a baby.

“It is very important for me to meet with the shops that I sell to. Since I do accessories it is vital they tie in with whatever other collections shops have bought for that season. The collection is unique to each boutique.”