In this follow-up episode, we take a closer look at our conversation with Leah Hayden Cassidy. From the deep connections between fashion and identity to the role of heritage in shaping personal style, we unpack the key takeaways from Hayden’s Desert Island Dress selections.

Join us as we revisit the highlights, share our thoughts, and explore how the pieces we wear hold meaning far beyond the fabric.

In this episode of Desert Island Dress, we’re joined by the brilliant Leah Hayden Cassidy, a Dublin-born, London-based barber whose talent and creativity have made her a standout in the industry.

But today, she’s not here to talk about hair—she’s sharing the pieces of clothing that mean the most to her. From sentimental treasures to everyday staples, Hayden reflects on how style connects her to family, heritage, and the memories that shape who she is.

It’s a chat filled with warmth, nostalgia, and plenty of laughs as we explore the deep personal meaning behind the things we wear. Whether it’s a beloved item passed down through generations or something that’s become part of her signature look, Hayden’s choices tell a story of identity, tradition, and self-expression.

📢 Support the Show:
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners discover the stories behind the clothes we love.

✨ Follow Hayden Cassidy:
Instagram: @hayden_cassidy
Website: www.haydencassidy.com

✨ Follow Desert Island Dress:
Instagram: @desert_island_dress
Website: www.desertislanddress.com

In this postanalysis episode, we reflect on our conversation with acclaimed playwright Enda Walsh, the first guest of Desert Island Dress Season 3. 

From childhood T-shirts that unlocked a sense of scale and colour to the unspoken rules of teenage fashion, Enda’s stories gave us so much to think about. We revisit the moments that stood out most—his vivid storytelling, the emotional weight of clothing, and the way garments can root us in time and place. Along the way, we dive into themes of memory, identity, peer approval, and self-expression. 

We also explore the power of place in shaping personal style, how clothing codes are policed in different social spaces, and why some garments stay with us—either physically, like Enda’s framed childhood T-shirt or as ghosts of fashion choices that didn’t quite land. 

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 

📲 Follow us on Instagram for more @desert_island_dress  

💌 Got thoughts on this episode? We’d love to hear from you! 

#DesertIslandDress #EndaWalsh #StorytellingThroughClothes #Podcast #IrishTheatre 

Welcome to the first episode of Season 3! 

To kick off the new series, we’re joined by one of Ireland’s most celebrated playwrights, Enda Walsh. Known for his poetic, deeply human storytelling in works like Disco Pigs, Misterman, Ballyturk, and Lazarus, Enda’s writing is unmistakable—lyrical, intense, and often laced with humour. 

In this episode, we step away from the stage and into Enda’s personal world through the clothes that have shaped his life. From childhood moments of discovery to teenage experiments in self-expression, Enda reflects on how clothing captures memory, identity, and creativity. Along the way, we talk about growing up in Ireland, the influence of colour, and even a surprising encounter with Enya in a bargain basement. 

This is a warm, thoughtful conversation about the stories we carry in our clothes—sometimes sentimental, sometimes surprising, and always deeply personal.  

🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform. 
📲 Follow us on Instagram for updates. 
📩 Have a story to share? Get in touch (DM on Instagram) —we’d love to hear it! 

#DesertIslandDress #EndaWalsh #StorytellingThroughClothes #Podcast #IrishTheatre 

In this special post-analysis episode, co-hosts Dee and Katriona delve into their reflections on last week’s conversation with renowned Irish designer Peter O’Brien.

Highlights from the Discussion:

- Peter O’Brien’s Creative Philosophy: Exploring his fluid approach to design and the beauty in letting the work speak for itself.

- Fashion vs. Function: A lively debate on the intersection of practicality and artistry in clothing. Are we buying a story, a function, or both?

- The Blur Between Fashion and Costume: How Peter's background in costume design informs his ability to tell stories through garments.

- The Realities of the Fashion Industry: A candid look at the challenges and demands of a career in fashion, and Peter’s refreshing take on embracing imperfection and humour.

What You’ll Learn:

- How storytelling shapes our relationship with garments, even when designers downplay the narrative.

- The evolving role of the runway: from buyer-focused events to influencer-driven spectacle.

- Why some of the most meaningful pieces are those imbued with personal memories and longevity.

🧥 Have a story about a garment that means the world to you?

📩 Follow Desert Island Dress on @desert_island_dress

and join the conversation

🎧 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

W: www.desertislanddress.com

In this episode of Desert Island Dress, we’re thrilled to sit down with renowned Irish fashion designer Peter O’Brien. Peter takes us on a nostalgic journey through his formative years in fashion, sharing his memories of childhood creativity, from sneaking sequins onto his mother's beachwear to drawing dresses in schoolbooks. With his characteristic wit and candour, Peter recalls the inspirations and pivotal moments that shaped his illustrious career, which spans from designing for top fashion houses to creating costumes for stage and film.

We explore:

Peter also shares his personal Desert Island Dress selections, revealing not just the garments but the stories, emotions, and memories stitched into each piece.

Join us for a delightful and insightful conversation with one of Irish fashion’s true originals, Peter O’Brien.

Guest Info:

Follow Peter O'Brien:

Listen and Subscribe:

@desert_island_dress

In our follow-up post-analysis of Desert Island Dress, Dee and Katriona reflect on their thought-provoking conversation with dress historian Hilary O'Kelly. This post-analysis discussion touches on the personal and cultural themes that arose during Hilary’s episode and expands into broader topics surrounding fashion, identity, and self-expression.

In This Episode, Dee and Katriona Discuss:

Key Themes:

Why Listen:
If you were intrigued by Hilary O'Kelly’s insights on dress and memory, this episode takes those ideas further by exploring how fashion influences not just how we dress, but how we see ourselves and others. Dee and Katriona provide thoughtful commentary on fashion’s wider social impact, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in how clothes shape our personal and cultural identities.

Connect with Us:
Website: www.desertislanddress.com
Instagram: @desert_island_dress

Hello and welcome to the Desert Island Dress podcast with myself, Dee Duffy and herself, Katriona Flynn. This week we are joined by ... 

Dress historian & academic, Hilary O’Kelly  

Hilary teaches fashion and dress history & theory as part of the Critical Cultures programme at the National College of Art & Design in Dublin.  

Hilary's knowledge and insight into garment context, purpose and societal construct are thought-provoking and hugely considered, but more than anything Hilary is the most engaging and engaged lecturer and academic. Ask anyone who has studied fashion, textiles or Jewellery at NCAD and the name Hilary O'Kelly will be amongst their most important and fondest memories.  

Hilary's book Cleo: Irish Clothes in a Wider World – is a study of Cleo - one of Dublin's oldest clothing businesses. In it, Hilary documents the store’s promotion and preservation of Irish traditional clothing and crafts.  

Hilary’s own passion for clothing, be it the clothing itself or the making processes, and the memories and storytelling around these aspects, is beautiful and so important in our conversations around dress.  

We truly were honoured to head down memory lane with Hilary through the medium of HER clothes and the stories they tell.  

This is the Desert Island Dress podcast. 

In this special post-analysis episode, Dee and Katriona unpack their conversation with the unstoppable Zeda the Architect. From her boundless energy to her deep love of fashion, Zeda left the hosts inspired—and with plenty to discuss.

This lively recap explores:

Whether you’re a fashion lover or just tuning in for the stories, this episode promises to spark thought, joy, and maybe even a little debate about the value of fashion in our lives.

Join the Conversation:
What stuck with you from Zeda’s episode? Share your thoughts with Dee and Katriona on Instagram: @desert_island_dress

Don’t Miss an Episode:
Subscribe, review, and share Desert Island Dress to keep up with the latest conversations about fashion, memories, and everything in between!

In this vibrant episode of Desert Island Dress, we are joined by the ever-inspiring fashion stylist, Zeda the Architect. Known for her bold, eclectic style that blends statement pieces with architectural flair, Zeda’s work continually pushes the boundaries of personal expression through fashion.

Zeda brings her signature energy as she shares the stories behind four treasured items that have defined her style and career. From her iconic leopard coat, now dubbed the "Vogue coat," to her adventures in custom-made Nigerian attire, Zeda reveals how her sartorial choices reflect her heritage, personality, and love for fashion experimentation.

In this episode, you'll hear Zeda’s thoughts on:

Zeda's infectious enthusiasm for fashion as a tool for storytelling and self-expression makes this a must-listen for anyone who loves pushing the boundaries of style.

Follow us:

@desert_island_dress

www.desertislanddress.com

Follow Zeda:

https://www.zedathearchitect.com/

@notzeda