As the visionary force behind the celebrity-adored and boundary-bending faux fur fashion label Rashhiiid, Rachel Maguire speaks to Ashley McDonnell on the new episode of Tech Powered Luxury, sharing the highs and lows of her sell-out brand, the importance of running a customer-first business, the impact of celebrity and her expansion plans for 2024 and beyond.
From Megan Thee Stallion, Megan Fox, Ariana Grande, Addison Rae, Vanessa Hudgens, Supermodel Ashley Graham, Rosalia, Jazzy and Lottie Moss to name but a few of the well-known faces spotted wearing Rashhiiid, Rachel McGuire’s designs have fast become a coveted accessory across the Emerald Isle and beyond, quickly amassing many a ‘pinch me moment’ for the young designer, but yet Rachel continues to put the customer first each and every time, “It’s extremely important to me that everybody is happy. That is the first and foremost thing for my brand. I will put everything aside, a celebrity coat aside, to send an essay of something, an explanation as to why a certain postman didn’t get it there on time.…… I’ll do everything in my power to make sure the customer is happy. So that’s first and foremost for me. And sometimes celebrities aren’t even customers, so they have to take a back fall.”
Recorded during Paris Fashion Week, Rachel shares her excitement at showcasing her pieces during the most significant and prestigious fashion pilgrimage, as she launches the first Rashhiiid Showroom. Rachel reflects on this significant milestone for her brand, and the substantial investment it took, but no doubt one that will pay off in spades. “I knew I wanted to take a risk and this has been my risk…It’s to showcase an entire new collection in a beautiful showroom in Paris with a sales consultant…we are hoping to get stocked in many global department stores, luxury retailers, smaller luxury boutiques, big department stores.”
Throughout the episode, Rachel deep dives into Rashhiiid and how the brand came to be as well as her journey in fashion. When speaking to Ashley about her time in the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design, becoming the first person in the academy’s 80-year existence to create both of their collections using exclusively repurposed and existing materials, a sensational feat for the young design student, to pivoting away from the global greenwashing of sustainability, focusing on the homegrown, made in Ireland approach of her brand instead, “I can’t claim that (sustainability) anymore. It’s vegan, but it’s plastic, it’s acrylic, and it’s not good for the environment. So I definitely don’t claim sustainability anymore. What I claim is that it’s ethically handmade in Ireland, which I’m extremely proud of.”
Rachel also touches on the struggles of sole business ownership,
When speaking about the evolution of Rashhiiid, from the initial concept to what sparked customer interest as well as the major shift Rachel is planning for the future, “I think I’m at a moment where I want to change the brand, and I want to evolve, and I want to get away from faux fur…..And for me, as a designer, to do something entirely new, I feel I fear the summertime, and it’s difficult when you have a strong first product. I put so much pressure on myself because my first product grew organically. People in Ireland hadn’t seen it.”
Throughout the success and global recognition, Rashhiiid remains committed to ethical craftsmanship and a customer first approach with a deep-rooted Made in Ireland ethos. Rachel’s journey as a one-woman, sought-after designer is the epitome of passion, perseverance, and purpose.
