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Women's

Dress Man: Don O’Neill of Theia

Don O'Neill

If you have bought an evening dresses at Neiman Marcus in the past couple of years, there’s a significant chance that Ireland-born Don O’Neill was the creative mind behind it. O’Neill trained alongside Christian Lacroix in the couture studio, before moving to New York. He was creative designer of Carmen Marc Valvo for 10 years, then went on to Badgley Mischka to launch their platinum label until two years ago, when he decided to launch his own collection, Theia. Named after the Greek goddess of sight and heavenly light, Theia has gained attention from celebrities including Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Emmy Rossum.

NM: What is your favorite trend right now?

DO: I love that the emergence of so many new, amazing, and wonderfully talented designers, with so many points of view, almost renders trends irrelevant. They provide freedom of expression so that people can be unique, wear what they love, and feel great about themselves.

NM: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

KO: Witnessing a woman in a fitting room, realizing for the first time while trying on a Theia cocktail dress that she felt beautiful for the first time in her life!

NM: Who is your fashion icon?

DO: Alexander McQueen was my fashion icon. He thought outside the box. He created runway shows that transported us to universes we could never have dreamed possible, and filled his stores with incredible, ingeniously cut, beautifully crafted and above all, wearable clothes.

NM: Which celebrity would you like to dress?

DO: Cate Blanchett.

NM: What’s your fashion motto?

DO: To bring out every woman’s inner goddess.

NM: What’s your favorite part of the creative process?

DO: Sourcing and working with the fabrics and embroideries, but especially the prints.

NM: What’s your best styling advice?

DO: Keep it simple!

NM: What’s your secret place?

DO: The intimate and cozy Le Graine Cafe on 21st Street and 9th avenue in New York.

Don O’Neill will visit Neiman Marcus in Bal Harbour on March 18, and Tysons Galleria, Virginia on March 19.