With over 40 years of experience, Barbara Connolly has been part of the Irish fashion industry from a young age. Her expertise in textiles and dedication to Irish craftsmanship have made her a respected leader in the field. Throughout her career, Barbara has worked with top companies like Diageo, Waterford Crystal, and Avoca, while also founding and managing her own successful clothing brand: Blooming, overseeing every aspect of designing, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. Additionally, Barbara has contributed her knowledge through mentorship programs with the Craft Council of Ireland and the Enterprise Board, supporting new talent in the industry.
During the pandemic, Barbara deepened her focus on the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion. In response, she launched Green Thread, an initiative dedicated to educating people about sustainable fashion practices. Through workshops in schools, community groups and workplaces, Barbara and her team teach essential skills like caring for and repairing clothing, as well as promoting creative approaches to extending the life of garments.
Green Thread offers sewing workshops for all levels, empowering individuals to reconnect with the basics of clothing care and break away from throwaway culture. By combining education and creativity, Barbara aims to reduce overconsumption and inspire more thoughtful engagement with fashion.
Under Barbara’s leadership, Green Thread is working to “heal the earth one stitch at a time,” fostering a more sustainable and conscious approach to fashion that benefits both people and the planet. Her dedication to sustainability, creativity, and practical skill-building is making her a key ally to the Fabric of Change movement, with a common goal of changing the culture around fashion to (re)introduce creativity, sustainability and wellbeing.
