A  LEAVING Cert. student in Coláiste Lorcáin in astldermot must be the youngest designer of bridal dresses in the world and has had her beautiful gowns showcased in some of Ireland’s top glossy magazines.

Eighteen-year-old Niamh McGuckian from Kilkea grew up surrounded by silk and sequins, tulle and taffeta in her mother’s dressmaking business, The Bridal Studio. The teenager is now the third generation of dress designer in her family following in the footsteps of her mother, Beth and her grandmother, Rosaleen Ward.

Bridal designer Niamh Corazonr pictured with at her studio at Kilkea
Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie

“I’ve always helped out in the studio but at the age of around 13 I started designing my own dresses,” Niamh told the Kildare Nationalist.  “I start out with a sketch so if I’m in class or out and about, I have to get my idea down. I work with a team of people in the studio and we might have big discussions over the dresses but I do have final say.”

Niamh has two siblings, Ciara aged 13 and 10-year-old Leah. Her dad, Malcolm, sadly passed away when Niamh was just nine years old.

She designs under the name of Niamh Corazon with Corazon being the Spanish for heart. Last October she launched her first full bridal collection at the age of just 17 years and in recent months, her work came to national attention when she designed a dress for stylist, Marietta Doran which she wore to the Oireachtas ball.

With this being her final year in school, she already has commissions from her friends to create debs dresses while after her Leaving Cert. she hopes to study fashion or marketing.

The hard-working Niamh is now dividing her time between the design studio and her studies, and admits that the lure of the studio is strong.

“I love designing wedding dresses and helping women to find their perfect dress. It’s so romantic!” Niamh continued.