LAOIS LIFE Magazine November/December 2025

Valérie Mahé speaks about the importance of sustainable fashion

I recently had the privilege of being featured in an article by Hannah Cahill, reflecting on my journey into fashion and the story behind What to Wear.

Reading it encouraged me to pause and reflect on where it all truly began.

My relationship with clothing started in childhood, at home, with my mother and my grandmother. I learned to sew at four, to knit at five, and by twelve I was making my own clothes. From an early age, I understood that clothing was something to be made with care, valued, repaired and worn well, not something to be rushed or replaced without thought.

Those early lessons shape everything I do today.

As I later worked with women who felt overwhelmed by wardrobes full of clothes that didn’t quite work for them or reflect who they are, the contrast became clear. Fashion had become fast, impersonal and disconnected from real life. What to Wear was created as a response to that, a slower, more considered way of approaching style.

Slow fashion and sustainability are not trends for me; they are a continuation of what I learned growing up. I design with longevity in mind, choosing Irish linen and working with Irish suppliers to support local craftsmanship and reduce unnecessary impact. Every piece is created intentionally, in limited quantities, with a focus on quality over volume.

The aim is simple: to help women build wardrobes that last, clothes that are worn, re-worn and loved over time, rather than replaced.

Hannah’s article reminded me that while What to Wear continues to evolve, its foundation remains unchanged, thoughtful design, responsible production, and a genuine respect for the women who wear the clothes.

Thank you for being part of this slower, more meaningful approach to fashion.