Iconic independent fashion boutique Macbees Killarney is celebrating 40 fabulous years in business
It is one of the Kingdom’s most famous names in fashion but Macbees Killarney might never have come to be if it wasn’t for a career detour by founder Mary McBride.
A trained pharmacist, she had been offered a space on New Street, Killarney to open a chemist shop. However, having grown up above a drapery – and learning the trade since the age of five when she sold her first customer a pair of nylon stockings – she decided to swap dispensing medicine bottles for dressing mannequins, and has never looked back.
Keeping it in the family
Now in a much larger premises down the street, with the very first recruit still a valued member of the dedicated Macbees team, the business is run by Mary’s daughter Aoife and Doranne Hickey. Aoife returned to the business full time from London in 2020; her background in costume design, fashion photography and vintage clothing informing her unique fashion flair.
Doranne brings experience of international fashion buying and styling, having cut her teeth at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, where she cultivated a taste for cutting-edge design. Their dynamic pairing has enabled Macbees to remain a modern luxury shopping destination that gives a global vibe to a local experience.
Personal service
Macbees has always been about empowering women, age positivity, considered buying and supporting authentic design. These founding values still ring true today thanks to the 12-strong team of dedicated style advisors, whose expertise and honed styling skills ensure a shopping experience like no other.
In recent years, as the business has adapted in the digital age to blur the lines between virtual and real-life shopping experiences, the team at Macbees has enthusiastically embraced the change, translating their impeccable level of personal service to the online store with collection previews and style talks available through social media while also ensuring there’s always someone on hand to answer any enquires over the phone.
Classic and contemporary brands
A unique brand mix has always ensured that Macbees stands out from the crowd, having stocked John Rocha, Louise Kennedy and Paul Costello in the early days, and featuring iconic brands such as Christian Lacroix, Missoni and Kenzo over the years. Now the focus is on contemporary brands with an eye on authenticity and sustainability, including Stine Goya, Essentiel Antwerp, Psophia, Celia B, Roisin Linnane, AndTate and so many more.
Macbees has grown to become a bastion of style, enthusiastically championing Irish labels and continuously seeking out new talent to add to its edit of more than 60 established and emerging fashion brands while still remaining true to the most important thing: impeccable customer service. Thanks to the team – along with the loyal customer base who appreciate the beautiful pieces stocked at Macbees and willingly embrace new trends – the business has gone from strength to strength over the years.
Ruby anniversary
For the in-store 40th anniversary celebration, queen of style Celia Holman Lee hosted a retrospective fashion show during which cherished Macbees customers wore their favourite archival pieces from the past 40 years alongside models showcasing the team’s favourite looks for AW24, finished off with the glorious creations of Carol Kennelly Millinery. Guests were invited to enjoy the show while sipping delicious V&Ts served by the gorgeous wife-and-wife duo behind Valentia Island Vermouth in the flower-filled boutique, thanks to the creative genius of Floweryard.
Find out more about the beautiful selection of clothing on offer at macbees.ie.
