Jacqueline Quinn

Early life

Quinn was born in Dublin, Ireland where she graduated from the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design in 1986. She grew up in Howth, and worked as a designer for Irish and English clients before relocating to New York in 1995.

Career

Quinn began her career in 1985 working as an intern with Willy Smith. She then worked with a British manufacturer who designed clothing for retaiers including BHS, Marks & Spencer, and Topshop. In 1995, Quinn moved to New York and began designing for John Roberts Corporation a supplier to Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Dillards. She then began working as a designer for brands including Perry Ellis and Bill Blass. In 2001, Quinn created a line of clothing designed for women over the age of 30 that took into account the fact that women's bodies change after childbirth. In 2005, she launched Quinn New York Inc., which includes her eponymous collection.

Quinn’s designs are aimed at women in their mid-thirties or older looking for contemporary, age appropriate clothing. – a market that has not been well served. She estimates that 45 percent of her customer base is in southern cities, such as Atlanta and Dallas where women tend to dress up more often and want colorful clothing. "Women in their 30s and 40s look better than ever, and they want clothing that looks stylish and feminine. They want moderately priced, updated looks." In New York she developed a big following among women in the Jewish community. "They're finding high-end black designer clothing appropriate for synagogue from an Irish Catholic girl," said Quinn. She has been praised by influential magazines such as Women's Wear Daily and Fashion Manuscript, which reported: "Quinn has produced a product that fits a woman's body well, is age appropriate and still has a great sense of style and a contemporary look." The Sunday Independent has also praised her clothing designs.

Throughout her career, Quinn has collaborated with many brands. Working in association with New Balance to raise breast cancer awareness, Quinn constructed a gown made entirely of shoe material to be worn by Miss USA. In 2011 she helped raise money for a cancer research foundation.

In 2013 Quinn constructed a dress made predominantly from parts of sunglasses by Randolph Engineering which was then worn by singer Nadia Turner live at The Hard Rock Cafe in Boston.

In May 2013, Quinn launched her first handbag collection consisting of twelve embellished bags made as a tribute to ‘Old Hollywood’. Some of the bags in the collection included “Lady Eve”, “Lady Grace” and “Lady Oscar”. InStyle Magazine chose the “Gabrielle” clutch as the best evening wear bag. It featured a lambskin lining and was embellished with over 130 square-cut crystals. As an avid philanthropist, Quinn partnered with several stay-at-home mothers, living in India, to create the collection. The women completed piecework for the bags which was shipped to a factory for final assembly. As an example, “The Lady Monroe” handbag featured over 200 seashells, hand-collected, cut and shaped by these women. This arrangement offered single mothers and stay-at-home women an opportunity to contribute financially to their households.

Quinn has worked with clients including Hannah Storm, Rachael Ray, Sarah, Duchess of York as well as department stores including Macy's and Lord and Taylor. Irish musical duo Sephira also frequently wear custom-made designs for their performances.

In 2014, Quinn was on the judging panel for the Design for Brad Smith competition which offered young, emerging designers the chance to spearhead a collection for NFL Philadelphia Eagles player Brad Smith. Winner Kassie Haji was crowned at an award ceremony in Chelsea during New York Fashion Week 2014.

Quinn continues to expand her collection of evening bags and dresses. She is also the head designer for a new womenswear collection Sara Emanuel.

Irish Central states that Quinn "continues to impress and represents Irish designers in a market where many have failed before her".

Awards

Personal life

Quinn is married to forensic pathologist Brian O'Reilly.