Sybil Connolly (1921–1998) was a celebrated fashion designer and global icon known for her innovative use of traditional Irish textiles in haute couture.
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| Fashion designs by Sybil Connolly in the 1950s |
Often described as “Dublin’s Dior”, Connolly achieved international repute and success, making her one of the first Irish designers to do so. She was a member of the “Big Three” Irish fashion designers (along with Irene Gilbert and Raymond Kenna/Kay Peterson), and was described by former Taoiseach (prime minister) Jack Lynch as: “A national treasure.”
Connolly worked with brands such as Tiffany & Co., Bloomingdales and among her fashion label's famous clients were America’s First Lady, and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, the Rockefellers and Mellons. Her activities were covered in both the fashion press and the social columns of publications such as the Hollywood Reporter.
Described by Bettina Ballard as a “personable milk-skinned Irish charmer,” she came to the notice of Carmel Snow, the Dalkey-born editor of Harper’s Bazaar. Snow was instrumental in introducing Sybil Connolly to the American market and press.
Here below is a set of fashion designs by Sybil Connolly in the 1950s.
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| Anne Gunning in 'Bainin' tweed coat with large lapels and pockets by Sybil Connolly, photo by Milton Greene on Wellington Quay in Dublin, Ireland, 1953 |
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| Anne Gunning in evening mantle by Irish fashion designer Sybil Connolly, photo (variant) by Milton Greene on location in Ireland for Lilfe, August 10, 1953 |
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| Anne Gunning in evening mantle by Irish fashion designer Sybil Connolly, photo by Milton Greene on location in Ireland for Life, August 10, 1953 |
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| Anne Gunning in gown and evening coat by Sybil Connolly, photo by Milton Greene, Ireland, 1953 |
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| Anne Gunning in pleated cambric top and satin skirt for evening by Sybil Connolly, photo by Milton Greene at Dunsany Castle in Ireland, Life, August 10, 1953 |
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| Anne Gunning in white Irish lawn gown swagged and ruched, controlled by satin-covered cords drawn through each panel in a full skirt by Sybil Connolly, photo by Richard Dormer, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1953 |
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| Anne Gunning in white pleated blouson top by Irish fashion designer Sybil Connolly, photo by Milton Greene on location in Ireland, 1953 |
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| Barbara Goalen in a shaggy woolen suit with sleeveless sling cape by Sybil Connolly, photo by Milton Greene in the village of Trim, Ireland, 1953 |
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| Barbara Goalen in back-belted checked Donegal tweed coat by Sybil Connolly, photo by Milton Greene on Parliament Street, Dublin, Ireland, 1953 |
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| Barbara Mullen in dinner-at-home separates of striped Irish linen by Sybil Connelly, hoop earrings by Bergère, photo by Frances McLaughlin, Vogue, May 15, 1953 |
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| Lady Melissa Wyndham-Quin wearing pleated linen dress by Sybil Connolly, photo by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, August 15, 1953 copy |
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| Linda Harper in lovely fog-gray faille dinner dress, with pleated pillow sleeves and run with a narrow rim and ribbon of white organdy, by Sybil Connolly, photo by Richard Avedon at Dunsany Castle, Ireland, Harper's Bazaar, October 1953 |
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| Model in elegant tweed dress with matching fringed shawl by Sybil Connolly, photo by Milton Greene for Life, Ireland, 1953 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in blush-pink satin gown with a spray of Carrickmacrosse lace, the waist bound in satin, by Sybil Connolly, photo by Richard Dormer at Dunsany Castle, Harper's Bazaar UK, September 1953 |
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| Patsy Shally in two-piece summer evening dress and stole made of Irish linen by Sybil Connolly, imported by Lord & Taylor, photo by Milton Greene for Life, May 1953 |
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| Ann Gunning in Sybil Connolly Collection Haute Couture Printemps, photo Richard Dormer, 1955 |
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| Ivy Nicholson in pink-beige tweed buttonless coat and narrow skirt topped by a bright pink linen blouse by Sybil Connolly, photo by Henry Clarke at Luttrellstown castle outside Dublin, Ireland, Vogue, March 15, 1955 |
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| Barbara Mullen in sapphire blue fluted linen skirt and with white linen blouse, its collar bordered in crochet by Sybill Connolly, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, April 1956 |
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| Model in cream caramel jumper suit of handwoven bainin tweed by Sybil Connolly, peat flower pot hat by John Green of Belfast, photo by Richard Dormer, Dublin, Harper's Bazaar UK, March 1956 |
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| Pat O'Reilly in pale blue Irish linen finely pleated ball gown by Sybil Connolly, Harper's Bazaar UK, April 1956 |