Reverse The Trend with Alison Nea: "Even in the past four years, there’s been a huge increase in people shopping second-hand"

Alison Nea

Designer (Modh)

I try to source everything in Ireland, to have as little impact on the environment as possible. There are companies here that are working towards creating regenerative textiles. Mallon Linen have grown their own flax and processed it into fibre.

There’s a community-supported social enterprise group called Fibreshed Ireland, who had a symposium just a couple of weekends ago.

I’ve grown my own specific flowers that I use to dye fabrics. There’s a dye-house in Clare called Apple Oak Fibre Works. The owner has a school where she shows people what she does. We need more dye-houses in Ireland.

There’s a bit of a movement in upcycling as well. Everybody wants to know how you can make things last longer. People on social media like @greengal, are constantly giving advice on how to do things and recommending other brands.

Even in the past four years, there’s been a huge increase in people shopping second-hand. That’s a big step in the right direction.

Shop Modh’s Grounded collection at modh.ie.

It’s time to Reverse the Trend. Recent research from the Environmental Protection Agency has revealed we should be doing more to make sustainable decisions when it comes to fashion.

With the ongoing climate crisis, it’s never been more important for us to think about our purchasing habits more consciously. It’s time to buy less, choose well, and look after our clothes - to get the most out of them.

Thinking sustainably presents us with the opportunity to be more inventive, more thoughtful, and more ethical in what we wear. Borrowing clothes from friends, going to swap shops, buying from charity shops, and renting clothes are just some of the innumerable ways in which we can rewrite the narrative when it comes to being on trend and looking fashionable, while also having fun and being creative!

We spoke to influencers, local musicians, designers and artists about sustainability - and what it means to them. Read the full feature in the Hot Press Annual 2025