Founder of Tomorrows, Heather Barnes, opens her first store, bringing handcrafted ethical homeware from all over the world to Dublin.
As evening settled over the capital, in the Westbury Mall, Tomorrows opened its doors for the very first time. Inviting visitors into its new permanent home, it provided a quiet sanctuary from the busy streets of Dublin. Guests milled through the store filled with a kaleidoscope of colours and stacks of textiles sitting next to shelves of hand-thrown ceramics, reading the labels detailing the origins of each piece as they moved.
The Tomorrows store opening was a unique experience; it was a sensory immersion into places far beyond Irish shores. The opening of this physical store marks a monumental transition for the brand, emphasising the shift from what was once a predominantly online presence to something more permanent.
Tomorrows is a beautifully curated homeware and gift brand that places handcrafted pieces at its centre. Since launching its curated online store in 2024, the brand has spent time building a community of conscious consumers through appearances at various pop-up events and markets across Ireland.
In July, they started a new chapter with the opening of their first physical store in Dublin. At a time where mass-produced homeware often dominates the high streets, Tomorrows focuses on the slow movement of low-impact pieces. Customers are invited to hear, see and feel the story behind each item, reminding us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with things that mean something to us.
The visionary behind Tomorrows is Heather Barnes from Dublin. Before Tomorrows, Heather worked at the UN International Trade Centre for seven years, focusing specifically on ethical fashion innovation. Her work helped support a range of small-scale producers in reaching new markets across the world. It was during her travels that she witnessed firsthand how livelihoods could be transformed. She came to understand how traditional crafts embody the very thing that other parts of the world are striving to achieve: sustainability. When she left the UN, she turned to Tomorrows and made it her full-time job.
Working with a range of artisan groups across the world, Heather has built a model that ensures that marginalised communities are receiving fair wages for their craft. The wide variety of products in the store is a testament to its global reach, from hand-stitched kantha quilts made from recycled sarees to Keffiyeh arrangements. “[There are] enough textiles in the world today to dress the next six generations,” noted Heather, adding, “we need creative and beautiful ways to use what we already have.” This is one of the driving factors behind her preference for using recycled materials.
During the event, Heather sat down with Irish Country Magazine’s sustainability columnist, Jo Linehan, to discuss the opening of her physical store. “I was getting so much enjoyment out of just meeting people [at pop-ups and markets],” said Heather. “We have the nicest customers!” Getting to interact with the public at these events was an element that was noticeably lacking in the online experience, and so, the idea for a new bricks and mortar location was born. Heather hopes that the brand’s new home in the Westbury Mall will foster real-life human connection.
She also mentioned her strategy and how she decides which items she sells. As she explained, “a beautiful product doesn’t cut it; it’s got to have a story as well”. These decisions also involve a strict vetting process. “We do a lot of work investigating the wages and the wage rates for countries”, she explained, emphasising that fair wages are an absolute non-negotiable when it comes to the individuals she works with. As for the future, Heather hopes to deepen her partnerships with artisans and scale up the impact Tomorrows creates.
Tomorrows is a stark contrast to the culture of disposability we’ve become accustomed to. Guests can leave the store with wrapped parcels containing not only a product, but a piece of something that’s helping create a better future for others. One thing is certain: Heather’s shop is a reminder of the message that learning about each beautifully handcrafted item can help shift how we think about consumption.
Written by Jessica Francis.
Read next: Pamela Lee: The Wicklow woman set to make sailing history.
